By: Hans Guevara
CEO & CO Founder
EUGENIA INC
Hey there,
I still remember the first time I entered your life. Your parents sent you to a good school outside Mexico City, and you were friendly but a bit shy. We soon noticed that something was going on. The school staff would often pull you out of class, and you’d wait outside until your parents came to pick you up. All you wanted was to go home and see your grandfather, your best friend.
After a couple of years, we figured out what was happening. It scared us because we realized there wasn’t enough money to pay for the school, or even for gas to get there, and sometimes we couldn’t afford to eat. But your parents were doing their best to fix things. I remember you wanted to help, but there wasn’t much you could do. Sometimes you were frustrated with me, but I couldn’t change the situation.
You always loved watching how movies were made with your dad, and you were curious about technology. We had good times as a family, with mom, dad, your brother, and your grandfather, all living together and helping each other move forward. Your parents would say, “Family is the most important thing, and together we can achieve great things.” I always admired that, even when you lost your best friend. The family stuck together, and your father said, “No matter what, never give up.”
It might sound nice and easy, but I remember you struggled a lot. Sometimes you tried so hard, but it felt like you were getting nowhere. I told you to give up more than once, but you never did. You always said, “Never give up.” You worked two jobs while studying at the university, chasing your dream of starting your own company to help your family. I remember telling you to calm down and take a break, even when you crashed the car because you fell asleep on the highway. Thankfully, nothing serious happened, but you were angry with me, and I couldn’t understand why.
By your twenties, you had already worked at different companies, and you were the creative director of a prominent company. I kept telling you that you weren’t ready, that you were too young, and people wouldn’t believe in you! I remember some of them even quitting, saying they wouldn’t take orders from a young guy. I warned you, but you just kept repeating, “Never give up.”
After some time, your wise old colleague, Plinio, told you, “When I first met you, I thought you would quit this job. But you proved me wrong. I see your passion. Start your own business, and if you do, I’ll trust my son and my wife with you. In ten years, you’ll hire me. You just need to believe in yourself.” To be honest, I was scared when I heard that, but for the first time, I was on your side. It was time. Let’s do it.
You went to your friends Carlos and Gerardo and told them, “It’s time to start our own business.” You were completely convinced and willing to invest all your time and money to make it happen. I saw your commitment, and you were happy.
The first two years were tough, but let’s face it, starting a motion capture company in an underdeveloped market didn’t make much sense. You were putting in so much effort, but there were no visible results. I remember all those comments from friends and family, telling you to stop doing foolish things and go back to a “real” company. It was painful, and for the first time, I saw you deep in thought. I thought you were going to give up. Even Gerardo, co-founder, decided to leave and take another job, leaving only Carlos and you. You lost all your savings and had to support your family financially. I kept pushing you to quit, but you simply responded, “Never give up.”
But after six long years, my friend, you did it. You became the leading motion capture company in all Spanish-speaking countries. I felt so proud, although I never actually told you. We celebrated a lot because you finally could support your family and find some peace.
That’s when we truly understood the wisdom of your dad’s words, “Family is first.” We realized that family isn’t just about blood relations but also about those who love and support you unconditionally. Remember when your mom felt ill and the health insurance couldn’t cover her expenses? You ended up with a huge debt at the hospital, and to make matters worse, you lost a legal battle with the government. I remember how scared you were. You spoke to Carlos, your friend and co-founder, saying, “The hospital debt is enormous, and we also have to pay to the government. Both need to be settled in the next few weeks, and maybe the company won’t survive.” And he simply replied, “If we go bankrupt but your mom is still alive, then let’s go bankrupt.” That’s when everything fell into place — “Money comes and goes, but family is always first.” With the support of our family and friends, we managed to restore your mom’s health and save the company.
After being an entrepreneur for ten years, over 5,000 people have learned motion capture, and more than 100 individuals have worked with our companies. You’re finally able to support your family and help others in an industry you’ve loved since your youth — the cinema industry.
I’m genuinely thrilled that you’ve found your purpose and are making an impact with your ideas, helping those around you. As you always say, we can have dreams, but surrounding ourselves with the right people is what makes them come true. Act well, do good, and you’ll never be alone.
We’ve been together for 35 years, and I know I haven’t always been the most positive person. I’ve been scared to make decisions and often fought with you. Sometimes, I was trying to protect you from suffering or reliving difficult times.
New challenges lie ahead, like virtualizing humans for the cinema industry. It sounds ambitious, but I finally understand that working together will help us achieve even the most impossible goals. Let’s do it and never give up!
Even though we are the same person, I wanted to write this letter to take a moment and reflect, to look back and be grateful and proud of who we are, who we’ve become, and who we aspire to be.
So, thank you for walking this path with me. With gratitude, Hans Guevara.
Reflection
I decided to write this letter to myself as a reflection on some moments I’ve experienced throughout my life. These experiences have shaped me into the person I am today and have helped me find my purpose.
This analogy illustrates how we sometimes get frustrated with ourselves for not doing more or feel anxious about the decisions we’ve made. It also highlights those precious moments when we should pause, appreciate our achievements, and express gratitude for the people who are a part of our lives.
Life often introduces us to different types of people. It’s important to be wise in choosing who we spend our time with because time is the most valuable thing anyone can offer. Give it to those who deserve it, and most importantly, give time to yourself.
Invest in self-improvement. We all have our demons from the past, and sometimes, they can be a heavy burden to carry. However, it is up to us to decide whether we want to befriend them and accept who we truly are. Every experience we have had, good or bad, has shaped us into the person we are today. Knowing ourselves is the first step in finding our purpose, and once we find it, we should never give up.
Remember, progress happens step by step, regardless of its size. Difficult times may be challenging, but they also provide opportunities for growth. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you learn, but you never truly lose.
Many people dwell on the past and worry about the future, rarely focusing on the present. So, whatever you’re doing, make sure to enjoy the present.
Trust yourself, stay true to your purpose, and never give up. With determination, resilience, and gratitude, you will continue to make a positive impact and create a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Feel free to write a letter to yourself.
