Meet Gabriel Gumbiner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabriel Gumbiner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabriel, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m from West Hills, California, and I grew up in the San Fernando Valley. I went to El Camino Real Charter High School, where I played volleyball and worked hard in the classroom. My mom immigrated from El Salvador, and she’s always been my example of what it means to work hard and stay grounded. That mindset has shaped everything I do.

After high school, I took the community college route and attended Los Angeles Pierce College before transferring to UCLA. While I was at community college, I returned to El Camino Real to coach volleyball—coming back as a coach gave me a new perspective on the students and families in the area. That’s when I really started to notice how different families view college and the future after high school.

Woodland Hills and its surrounding neighborhoods are an interesting place because they’re split—part of the community is very affluent, and the other part isn’t. I started to see that even students from very different backgrounds were often missing access to the right guidance. That realization pushed me to create Counsly, a service that could make high-quality college counseling more accessible to everyone.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m the founder of Counsly, a college admissions coaching service built on transparency, affordability, and genuine support. What sets us apart is that unlike many firms charging tens of thousands of dollars and hiding their prices to give absurd quotes, we are upfront and honest about our pricing and services. We don’t engage in any unethical practices—our goal is to make quality admissions help accessible to all families.

Starting Counsly wasn’t easy. I built it almost entirely from scratch, on my own, with minimal resources, all while being a full-time economics student at UCLA. I remember juggling midterm review sessions while troubleshooting the website, drafting legal documents during breaks, and sometimes even working during class. It was chaotic, but those challenges fueled my commitment.

What I’m most proud of is that despite these obstacles, Counsly is growing and making a real difference. We’ve helped students from all backgrounds feel confident navigating the college admissions process without the intimidation or hidden costs typical in this industry.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that waiting for the perfect moment only delays progress. I launched Counsly before everything was perfect, and through consistent effort and learning, we’ve built something meaningful.

If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s that Counsly was created by someone who truly understands the pressure students face—because I’m still a student myself. Our work comes from an authentic place, with a commitment to fairness, transparency, and helping students find their best path forward.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting for a week, here’s exactly how I’d show them the best of the San Fernando Valley and nearby LA:

One of the best things about growing up in West Hills is that it’s a quiet, laid-back place that’s still super close to all the excitement of LA. People always talk about the terrible traffic here — and yeah, it’s real — but once you live here long enough, you learn it’s all about timing, which freeway to take, and when to leave.

Day 1: Downtown LA
You’ve got to start by checking out downtown — Koreatown, the museums, and the hustle of the city. It’s not my favorite spot personally, but it’s iconic LA and worth at least one visit.

Day 2: Westwood and Sawtelle
Next, head over to Westwood. Walk around UCLA’s stunning campus, then hit up Sawtelle Boulevard for some amazing food. And you absolutely cannot miss SomiSomi — the best ice cream you’ll ever have. If you want to go somewhere really cool for dinner, try Tao. I won’t spoil it — you’ve got to experience it blind the first time.

Day 3: Hermosa Beach (Summer Only)
If it’s summer, Hermosa Beach is a must. Beautiful weather, a great vibe, and if you’re into volleyball, this is the place to be. During the AVP Hermosa tournament, it feels like one big party with games, free stuff, and tons of energy.

Day 4: Calabasas
After soaking in the city life, it’s time to chill back in the Valley. Spend a day in Calabasas — grab coffee at one of the great local shops, have sushi at Sugarfish (trust me, it’s the best sushi you’ll ever taste), and maybe spot a few celebrities while you’re at it.

Day 5: My Favorite Valley Day
Now, my personal favorite day — laid back and low-key. Start with some amazing pho at my go-to spot, Pho So 1 (I swear, they should have a statue of me there because I’m there that often). Then, spend the evening relaxing in a friend’s hot tub as the sun sets. There’s nothing better than a summer night in the Valley — perfect weather, great company, and some of the best times you’ll ever have.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a huge shoutout to my former volleyball coach, Alyssa Lee. She’s played a major role in my journey—both as an athlete and as a young entrepreneur. I played volleyball all four years at El Camino Real and was team captain my senior year. After I graduated, I reached out to Coach Lee asking if there was any way I could stay involved. She gave me my first shot—first working with her club team, and then eventually coaching at the high school alongside her.

What makes Coach Lee so special isn’t just her leadership on the court—she’s also an entrepreneur herself. She built her own volleyball club from the ground up and created a community around it. Watching her do that gave me a model for what it means to lead with purpose and invest in people. She showed me that when you’re working with high school students and their families, the needs are constantly evolving. What mattered to a family two years ago might be totally different now—and you have to stay present and flexible if you want to serve people well. That mindset has stuck with me and really shaped the way I built Counsly.

The college admissions landscape is very similar—things change fast, and each student and family brings different concerns to the table. Coach Lee taught me how to build real relationships, how to adapt, and how to lead by listening. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her example and support.

Website: https://www.counsly.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counslyadmissions/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/counsly