In this edition we ask Eric Diaz, founder of Coworking on 15th Ave, 26 questions about running this coworking office space in Phoenix.
1. What do you do? – I am co-owner of Nativa, a multicultural marketing agency. I also am founder of Coworking on 15th Ave, an office space in Phoenix.
2. What did you want to be growing up? – More than anything I wanted to be a baseball player. Sadly, after I was knocked unconscious by a routine flyball when I was 10, I realized that this was not likely my destiny and pursued other interests.
3. Where did you attend college? – I went to Ohio State University for undergrad. For business school, I went to Northeastern University in Boston.
4. What is your degree in? – I have a double major in Logistics and Marketing. My MBA is in Finance.
5. Who is/was your role model, and why?
I always looked up to my favorite basketball player, Patrick Ewing. I became a fan when I was 6 and opened up a Sports Illustrated for Kids he was featured in. I saw him and instantly became a fan for life. I admired that he was gentle and a nice guy even though he was so big (7’0 tall). Also, I read that he went through a lot of racism growing up black in Boston and thought highly of him for going through a lot and becoming successful.
6. Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider being the most significant in your career.
– Renovating this building to become Coworking on 15th Ave has been the most important accomplishment of my career. I sometimes look around the building and am blown away by how far it has come.
7. What is your favorite animal and why? What animal would you describe yourself as?
– Turtles are my favorite, by far. I would be a turtle, they live long (some over 100 years) and are not in a rush to get things done. They’re strong and really don’t back down from anyone.
8. What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?
– Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
– People with a drink in their hand say a lot of things they will never do.
– Failing to plan equals planning to fail.
9. Do you have any regrets?
– When I was 20 years old I wanted to buy a gyro truck with my friend. We knew the business as we had worked in it for years, and the investment was only $1,000. I let other people talk me out of it and have regretted that ever since.
10. Where do you see yourself five years from now?
– Living in a more remote area full time, while visiting Phoenix and other places frequently. Maybe Montana or Idaho. Or Trujillo, Peru if I can, that is where my family visits often.
11. What are some things that make you really happy?
– I really enjoy dodgeball and new projects. I also enjoy craft beer and authentic Peruvian food. More than anything I enjoy road trips, especially internationally.
12. Give me three adjectives that would best describe you.
– Optimistic, friendly, and ambitious.
13. What kind of music are you into?
– Its funny, because I love rock mostly Oasis and Cake, but also Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jack Johnson.
14. If you were going to write a book, what would you call it and what would it be about?
– I cant write 🙁
15. How did you get into what you do?
– Evolution. I started off as an entrepreneur in business consulting, just out of grad school. My partner and I were doing too much, trying to do Logistics, Marketing and Supply Chain consulting, when really we were inexperienced in all three. We eventually focused on Marketing, and then Web consulting specifically. After some time and a new partner, we realized that Hispanic digital marketing was an opportunity we could move into and that is what brought me to where I am today.
16. What do you do for fun?
– I love riding my bike. I also enjoy playing dodgeball competitively and am an avid basketball player as well. Besides that I enjoy reading theoretical books on business and finance.
17. If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go?
– Antarctica. I would love to see things that so few people get to see. I have seen magazine pictures in Nat Geo and would love to see it for myself.
18. Do you like to plan things out in detail or be spontaneous?
– I love a mix of the two. Just enough planning so a lot can be accomplished but not too stressed about what I’m going to do specifically each day.
19. If you could go back in history, who would you like to meet and why?
– Not sure about this one 🙂
20. How do you feel about public speaking?
– I enjoy public speaking as long as I feel strongly about the topic I am presenting about. I do love a mic in my hands I wont lie.
21. What are some of your major goals in life?
– I would like to own a home in Montana or Idaho. Somewhere I can relax without any problem.
22. What are some of your smaller goals in life?
– I would like to be financially well off. I don’t need to be rich. Just enough so my family is in good shape and my wife doesn’t have to work if she doesn’t choose to.
23. If you could fix one thing about yourself what would it be, and why?
– I tend to procrastinate. I wish I could fix this. Sometimes the easiest tasks take months for me to do because I simply don’t want to do them.
24. What is the first thing you notice about people?
– Whether they are a jerk or not. Its usually very easy to tell.
25. How would you explain your basic life philosophy?
– Be nice to others and they should be nice to you. If not, who cares.
26. If you knew you would die tomorrow, what would you do today?
– I would charter a plane to see Antarctica, invite a few friends, and have the best food and drink imaginable on the way there.