Gilbert Corrales is CEO and founder at Newcastle-based Leaf.
Leaf is a tech-led performance marketing agency which specialises in providing solutions for ecommerce brands.
The company initally started out as a music app before diversifying into performance marketing and now employs a global remote team of 56 people across 14 countries.
As CEO and founder, Corrales previously taught computer science at the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica and was Director of Technology at Costa Rica’s Ministry of Science and Technology.
He has worked for Intel, HP, Microsoft as well as a string of start-ups in both Costa Rica and the U.S before settling in Newcastle almost a decade ago.
He shared all the lessons he has learnt…
Which single daily habit or practice could you not do without?
Journaling. It allows me to unload what is in my head, reflect on the day and remind myself that it does not matter if you think you have had a bad day, there is always something to be grateful for. I use Day One as my journal app, it’s a simple template that makes journaling easy.
What’s been your luckiest break?
Meeting my wife. Together we are a super-powerful couple!
What’s your best failure?
Leaf Music, it served as the foundation for Leaf Grow and eventually transform our company into an ongoing success – the best school you could ask for.
What is the best investment you’ve ever made, either financial or time?
Two books: 7 Habits by Stephen R. Covey and The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holliday (which I read every morning).
Which book would you recommend others to read and why?
The Physician by Noah Gordon. I read it in my first year of college and it showed me the power of resilience and believing in investing yourself in your dreams.
What one piece of advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
People are too busy thinking of themselves for you to put so much energy into what others think of you. Believe in yourself and keep on trusting.
Who or what has had the single biggest influence on your working life?
My parents. They showed me that with effort and investment in education you could accomplish the most difficult things. This was key in the pre-YouTube world where you did not have as much knowledge available at your fingertips.
Tell us something about you that would surprise people.
I’m comfortable asking a lot of dumb questions.
How will the COVID crisis change work for the better?
It forced employers to trust their employees with working remotely and realise it was all right. Now the proof will be in whether they will believe in them enough in remain remote-first.
What does success look like to you?
Happy and fulfilled people around me, from family to co-workers.
