Rising Stars: Meet Cynthia Gonzalez

Hi Cynthia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Relocated from Puerto Rico to Dallas 3 months after Hurricane Maria in 2017. I continued in Dallas what I had started in Puerto Rico which was attending Cocktail events and visiting and taking photos of Cocktails around Puerto Ricos Bar scene.

To my surprise, I got more than I could have ever imagined. I was welcomed and embraced by the DFW Cocktail Bar community and its industry. By RSVP to all the events announced by different bars & Distilled spirit brands, ì got to grow my network, which later grew into long-term relationships.

Opportunities opened to host themed Cocktail segments at Acceso Total Telemundo 39 DFW, Host Cinco de Mayo for Texas Live!, collaborate Cocktail Lab events with Patron Tequila, Avión Tequila. Member of USBG Dallas chapter, which I had the opportunity to partake events during the San Antonio Cocktail Convention 2019 at the Monkey Shoulder Whisky station.

All these experiences helped me in my development and building knowledge of the craft I so much feel in love with. I would take time off from my day job in order to attend the continued education program for Bartenders and Liquor reps by Diageo and Pernord Ricard.

The way I saw it was, if I was to write (blog) about Cocktail’s and their events, I needed to know the same or a bit more than my fellow Bartenders. One must know what you are writing about from a hands-on perspective. That’s how you show respect and appreciation for the industry and the craft.

That is what I brought with me when I relocated back to Puerto Rico June 2020. And both worlds my 1st love for Cigars and now Distilled spirits & Cocktail’s, came full circle.

Mujeres y Humos SOTL of PR was born in August 2020. From putting together events in the States, attending Cigar Festivals representing a few Cigar lines, writing as a collaborator for Humo Latino Magazine brought me to Found Puerto Rico Cigar Festival which took place in December 10th-12th, 2021.

Currently working the 2nd Edition PR Cigar Festival 2022, to be held on  December 2nd-4th at Wyndham Palmas Beach and Golf Resort Humacao, Puerto Rico.

The journey has transcended into developing the Speakeasy Cigar pairing experience with Airbnb. It’s a space created in February 2022 in the same premises where my family host their Airbnb guests since 2017. Our beautiful relaxing Courtyard provides the perfect environment to learn and enjoy the art of Cigar smoking and pairing.

It has been a journey that started in part when I was 8 years old when I first smelled the aroma of a Pipe Tobacco that captured my interest until I was able to smoke my first cigar at age 21. By 2015 I discovered the art of Cocktail’s and there was no turning back.

I feel lucky and privileged to be part of the few who can share their story about love and passion that converted into their present career as a self-made entrepreneur.

And as Joseph Campbell said, “Follow your Bliss, and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.”

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
By no means was a smooth road. It had its challenges, some were personal trying to juggle a full-time job, family life as a single parent while pursuing one’s love & passion The stereotypes that comes from being a woman in a male-dominated industry.

Not easy, but it can be done with very little sleep but with big hopes and dreams to be part of the solution. I always say; Be the Change you want to See!

And along the way, you witness these changes by playing an active role in it. Presently serve as a Contributor for the Sotl Global Movement Sensory Committee and their Social Media Director.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
.  -Founder of Mujeres y Humos SOTL of PR      IG: @mujeres.y.humos

–Contributor writer for; @HumoLatino Magazine & @CigarPublicOfficial

-Founder of Puerto Rico Cigar Festival IG:@prcigarfest

-Airbnb Host “Speakeasy Cigar pairing Experience.”

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Most definitely, it was a time for self-reflection on what is important and essential in one’s life. That happiness is not measured by possessions but by life experiences obtained by living to your fullest potential. Not to fear the unknown by having trust in yourself. Rather live a life full of wonder than live a life of regrets!