Chris Gruler, the CEO of Protege Branding, “Internet Guy” at Scottsdale Restaurants, and Brand Development at Jubi, is an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. When his plan A in life abruptly didn’t pan out, he turned the disappointment into an opportunity to become his own boss. Chris is hard working, passionate about what he does and clearly has a lot of drive to be involved in so many successful businesses! Read more about Chris…
Hometown: Tracy and Brentwood, California
First job: Waiter at Down Home Texas BBQ…where I learned the meaning of customer service and EVERY Shania Twain song.
Favorite AZ restaurant: Oh man… I can’t name one. I will say that the culinary scene here in the Phoenix metropolitan area has some serious talent. I’m impressed by a lot of places out here.
Person who has impacted your life the most: My Mom and Dad. Easy answer. The most supportive and hard working individuals I have came across. Came from nothing, sacrificed everything, and still work as hard to this day. They taught me about bouncing back from failures, self awareness, accountability and how to listen.
Your biggest accomplishment in your eyes: Biggest accomplishment would probably be bouncing back from a injury-plagued baseball career to being a part of three successful businesses. Took me a while to find my lane and had many failures, but being able to stay focused and build something I wake up excited about is a great accomplishment in my eyes. The goal is to keep it that way while growing each business daily.
The biggest obstacle you have overcome: Getting released of my baseball contract abruptly with essentially no Plan B in life.
Someone who inspires you: Someone who is passionate about their career, while putting people first, instead of the dollar.
Favorite quote: “Frustration ends where communication begins.” -Unknown
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Getting rich quick is for the birds. Build something substantial and long lasting. Stay focused and EXECUTE. Continue to learn. Have self-awareness. Be humble. Listen to your end users. Be confident in your career, not cocky. Find a mentor. Enjoy the ride.
What makes someone fabulous: Person who puts family first. A great smile. A fresh pair of shoes. A great logo/brand. A tailored suit. A great dress. A 3-1 curveball. Saying hello to a stranger. A solid hug. Being selfless. Being humble. Positive energy. A truth teller.
