Gabriela Sommerfeld, developed her business activity between air and hotel issues with great success. She tells how she went from being a full-time working mother to the manager of her father’s company Aerogal, and later of his large real estate project Le Parc, of which she is the general director, and which opens in the last quarter of the year. She is tireless, she doesn’t stop, even though she had to lie down for almost six months due to a serious illness.

What was the last project you worked on, which was the Le Parc real estate project?

The project that we will realize in the last quarter of the year is wonderful. Its structure is fully advanced, and we will soon start with the finishing works. Commercially, it is a success. This concept of a building full of technology for efficient use of water and energy has been quite well received by the citizens, with hotel services included 24/7 for living and even in the construction process. It will be a little gem that you have to visit in Quito.

How did your career start and the path in the business field that crossed between aviation and hoteliers?

Before, I was a happy full-time mom, but due to life circumstances, I had to start working and develop professionally. I studied advertising, finance and marketing. Starting with marketing, because you have to learn a good cost structure, have an excellent operation, I had to enter the technical and financial areas. This is how I like to do things: I don’t just like to conduct a rhythm with a baton, but rather understand how to play an instrument. Then I took over the presidency of Aerogal and it absorbed VIP. Then Avianca buys Aerogal. When my third child is born, I decide to leave everything related to aviation. I was at home with the baby for about a year, but then I started my strategic marketing company. There I help the capital of international companies to enter Ecuador, I help companies introduce products in Ecuador, create new companies, transform the culture of customer service. Name an industry I’ve also been in. But in 2015 I have a big health cut.

What happened?

I cannot engage in any activities, because I spent a long time in intensive care, almost six months in bed, without strength or opening my eyes. My stomach is necrotic due to hospital bacteria. It was a very strong health breakdown. But the day I opened my eyes, I got an invitation to run a tourism and marketing company in the city of Quito and I am happy. That was my thing.

But he didn’t give himself time to rest, he didn’t stop despite this difficult moment…

No, I’m not resting. It took six months and I was forced to stay in bed while my stomach closed and I recovered after surviving one of the strongest bacteria that can attack humans. And there I started working on the promotion of the city. A lot has been done, giving it a new twist in vision and we have reversed the trend. But another health failure in my family leads me to take over other family businesses: Hotel Le Parc and a renewable energy company. When I took over the hotel in 2017, I started developing the idea of ​​a new hotel. This requires my attention 24/7 and, in parallel with the creation of the business plan, obtaining the certificate, we are launching the new airline Ecuair.

What was the role or legacy your father left you in the matter of air?

I was doing my master’s degree, I was still a full-time mom, but the professors demanded that the work we do can no longer be done as a team, as we did in the companies of other colleagues, but that I should work in my own company. They made it difficult for me there because I didn’t work. My company was my family. I am asking my father to help me. That’s when I’m doing the marketing plan for Aerogal, which my father bought in 2002. When I saw the company, the first thing I said to him was: “you don’t know what you bought, there’s not much to that company”. The sales department was not well structured, it had shortcomings, starting with the fact that the planes were not flying and were on the ground. Having an unused or grounded aircraft is the worst mistake an airline can make. My father told me to come two hours a day, but the time was not enough and I left for four hours, six hours and in the end I worked 20 hours a day. I took Aeorgal when I had no passengers to fly, but when I sold it, it already dominated the route network in Ecuador, had international flights, had excellent participation in the domestic market. Thus, a very solid company was sold to Avianca.

So what is the secret of success or have you had a failure?

Not all projects were successful. For example, I invested in a ground freight business, we entered with a franchise of a Colombian company, we started well here, but the company in Colombia went bankrupt and the branch in Ecuador had to close. Another project that failed was with a friend who asked me for my support to develop and bring technology to the elderly. They were small devices worn on the chest and a person could call 911. This technology was ahead of its time. But that doesn’t mean it’s bad. As for those who have been successful, the secret is dedication, paying attention to details, doing it with a lot of heart. Surround yourself with capable people who know the technical side of the industry and have the ability to share the vision, passion and love for what you do with a human team. Balance is firmness with respect. A dedicated and trained human team is needed. Companies must have great human beings.

Are you planning any new projects in the future?

Future projects are planned, which will be realized in the middle of the next few years. But the priority is to successfully complete the construction, deliver to the residents and start the operation of the best hotel in Ecuador in an exceptional way.

How are political issues resolved in such an unstable country?

I believe that every actor in society must be clear about his role. The role of the entrepreneur must be to effectively and consciously develop the country’s production theme. When one realizes that he is a businessman and not a politician, he follows the line of seeking profit for greater prosperity. Especially if I want to have stability, which is required of politicians, but ultimately we who invest in Ecuador believe in the Ecuadorian state, that is, in the country. What is required is that there are long-term development policies. But since nothing is static, companies must be resilient, they must learn to adapt. The biggest test that surpasses any political change in the country was Covid, and the vast majority of companies knew how to be resilient, they managed to move forward.

Did you feel that being a woman was a problem for you in the business world?

I never felt that the question of gender had to worry me. I never felt that being a woman was better for me or not. Of course I had a few blind alleys, at this point in my life, I felt it was not to many gentlemen’s taste for a woman to say where we were going. But that was not an obstacle for me to continue with my vision.

Although you have so many interests, do you find time for other things, maybe hobbies?

I like to support unions, I like to always see a global perspective, instead of individual and particular. It is important to be in organizations that have representatives of many actors. I am currently working on various Chamber directories, including the Global Compact. I really believe in how global development is proposed through the introduction of technology to reduce the gap, create opportunities, feed children and make good use of resources (water, energy). Support children’s nutrition issues, good use of resources, I believe in these initiatives. If I see that it is in my favor, I join. From there I have my three children and if I want to share with them. And then hobbies come into play. My youngest and oldest sons love golf and we have fun, even though I am very bad.

And have you thought about entering politics?

I don’t have time, and I have a lot of obligations. It’s not in my plans, I haven’t thought about it.