Today we’d like to introduce you to Gustavo Catto.
Hi Gustavo, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It all started 25 years ago when I got my first job working in Sales and Marketing for an International company in the Fashion industry. Although I had not yet found my true passion, that corporate career gave me the opportunity to travel to more than 50 different countries, experience a wide range of cultures and learn various perspectives on life. I don’t come from a creative background but I’ve always been a curious innovator, fond of design, art and gastronomy. I’ve always liked to re-think concepts and the traditional way of doing at things. When I moved to South Florida a couple of years ago, I took a leap of faith to become an entrepreneur and pursue one of my dreams: to create a brand that embodies the mindset and the exposure I’ve had throughout the years. How could I break boundaries and transform day-to-day trivial kitchen and tableware objects into small works of art? My goal was to create products that impact our customers’ day to day lives – elevating the most ordinary moments such as drinking their morning coffee. I strongly believe kitchenware can and should be more than just a domestic object. It can be a choice of conscious consumption, a creative product that can trigger feelings and emotions. We have actually launched our very first collection early this year and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. As a coffee lover, for me it made a lot of sense for the Guseven story to start with the Slant Barista Collection. Thinking about the circular movement of a professional barista while crafting the perfect cup of latte, I was inspired to create Guseven’s very first pieces: design cups and mugs that portrait that iconic Barista gesture while carefully pouring the steamed milk into a cup. It is almost like pausing the nicest moment of a “dance”. The warm and classic colors were also reflected on the sensations that the pieces offer.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being an entrepreneur is never easy but it’s been an exciting journey to learn and navigate what that entails. One of my biggest challenges have been to find suppliers that understand and can envision the forms, utility and charm of the products that I design to the same extend that I do. Because most of our products and developments have unusual shapes, materials, colors, texture, usage and are being manufactured for the very first time, it is not obvious to find the right technology to make them come true. Our partners need to take a create approach to produce them. A lot of time is spent on research and sourcing, but even if the timeline is longer than any traditional Kitchenware company, I’m confident on the unique product portfolio that we are building – very much in line with our brand.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We’re a small startup company from South Florida with a big dream: to transform the day-to-day kitchen and tableware into small works of art by fusing modern design with comfort and style. Guseven Kitchenware was born out of one simple idea: from kitchen to table. As a premise, our products are built to last, to be admired, and to be enjoyed, so that you will never need or want to throw it away. When we talk about innovation, this is what we mean. In our team, we are not just designers and product engineers with skill and an eye for beauty. We are thinkers, dreamers, creators, and problem solvers who seek to build something that combines quality, beauty, and joy with a respect for our environment.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important thing is to stay true to your passion and to develop the ability to face and overcome adversities. Don’t follow other people’s judgment or don’t rely on external reassurance. I don’t believe in luck, if you allow yourself to try different things and persist, you’ll eventually succeed. It does not matter how many times you fail. I’ve certainly learned to hear feedback, process and find new avenues to keep my journey alive. When you innovate, you will hear opinions that do not necessarily align with your vision, not everyone needs to understand your every move, the important thing is to keep perspective of your big picture, what you aim to achieve and why you are doing it. This is one of my biggest drivers and most important lesson from my journey so far.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.guseven.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guseven_kitchenware/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Guseven-Kitchenware-106085934744975
Image Credits
Products: Transcendent Mind Studios Personal photo: Chendo Pérez
