Faith, Listening and Building Communities with Qwayne Guevara from The Young Lions Cafe and The Hustle Society

Qwayne Guevara Interview from The Young Lions Cafe and The Hustle Society

[00:00:00] Carlo Selorio: Hey, it's Carlo here from the Business Launch Podcast. I'm here with a special guest, um, Qwayne Guevara is that correct? Is that how I, I said Yeah. She's, um, she's an entrepreneur who actually a. Um, I met through my brother and, uh, we've connected, I've put two and two together and we got a lot of common friends and it's, um, she, she runs a, a very highly successful, full, um, cafe out of Blacktown.

[00:00:20] Um, and she runs something close to my heart basketball. She runs a basketball facility out at Minchinbury, NSW, so welcome to the she Qwayne. How you.

[00:00:32] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah, thanks for the invitation. Doing really well, like I mentioned, busy time of the year, but really excited to have a bit of a break to really reflect on what's been and what's to come.

[00:00:42] So yeah, really looking forward to the conversation today.

[00:00:45] Carlo Selorio: Yes. So, um, tell us, tell us a bit about yourself. Where'd you grow up and, um, how'd you get started in business?

[00:00:51] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah, for sure. So, I, I grew up in Western Sydney. My parents moved to. Uh, Australia when I was one. Uh, and so this has really been my home for most of my life [00:01:00] and for the majority of my life.

[00:01:02] I have experienced the ups and downs of living in Western Sydney. And one of the things that I've realized is how incredibly multicultural we are, which is such a gift to be here, but also the reality, um, as I, you know, got older, that there are a lot of. Areas where we don't have a lot of opportunities or access to opportunities here.

[00:01:25] And so I think it's a little bit of, uh, the migrant mentality, kind of the hard work. That's right, yes. Uh, that I really saw from my parents and it's really filtered through to. My mine and my brother's life, you know, really just hunkering down and, and finding ways that we can contribute in service. Um, and so that's where I found myself, uh, really growing in youth ministry, in service, in youth ministry in the Catholic church.

[00:01:49] Nice, nice. Uh, so there was that element of it that I began to be trained and fostered in leadership and, uh, at the same time, interestingly, Through, uh, my [00:02:00] teenage life, I didn't really feel like I really belonged in, um, social circles at school. And perhaps that's because of my different interests from friends and one of them actually being basketball, um, and and sports.

[00:02:12] So I just found that it was just a different kind of, um, space that I was seeking. And so growing up I really sought opportunities where I could be a part of the game, even though I was in all male basketball teams. Um, that didn't bother me. I loved being involved in basketball. I really did feel like I could be myself in many ways.

[00:02:33] And then when I, uh, kind of left, uh, high school, I realized that, uh, there's this passion I had for service and basketball and community and so began kind of trying to facilitate opportunities for women's basketball teams to kind of come together, right? And so that's become the platform I think of where my life has led me to in the realm of basketball and community.

[00:02:53] Carlo Selorio: Yeah. You, you play in the same team as my sister-in-law, Jo right? Yes. Yeah, I do. I do. Yeah. [00:03:00] Yeah. It's, it's awesome to know that like you guys are, you've created a great community, especially for the women's and like there's a, and I think. It's a good, good way to actually form a great community with women, uh, being able to know that you can reach out to others who are, who have the same passion as you.

[00:03:19] Yeah. Um, so growing up, growing up in Western Sydney, um, what did you, did you study? Did you go to uni? Um, what did you end up doing in uni?

[00:03:27] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah. Yeah. So, uh, one of the things that I realized is that, Especially going back to the Philippines at an early age, uh, there was a stirring in me to want to give.

[00:03:36] Those who are vulnerable, a voice and I, that really carried a long, um, I really carried that in my heart moving forward in service and different, a aspects of my life. And it eventually moved me to wanna study law and that's what I completed in, in, um, university. I did my bachelor's of law and bachelor, uh, arts and International Studies, and then moved to a master's in law in dispute [00:04:00] resolution.

[00:04:00] Yeah. So, um, all of it I think was really, um, Really influenced by a desire to wanna give people a voice.

[00:04:06] Carlo Selorio: Nice. Exactly. What I'm similar to, my actual passion is why I'm doing this podcast is I wanted to give businesses their own voice as well. Be able to tell their, share their story and um, you know, like local communities to find out what they're doing.

[00:04:23] That that is a great initiative for you as well. And it's just, um, That's why I really reconnected when, uh, common friend Joy, um, said you should, you should, um, have qua in your show. So it was, um, it's uh, it's come full circle that we ended up meeting my brother's place and, and being able to actually do this a week, a week after that.

[00:04:42] So, um, It's been, um, it's been a great blessing for me as well. So it's, um, yeah, people need to hear your story. So, um, so after you finished your degree, you ended up working in corporate I'd say, or working in, in a Yeah.

[00:04:55] Qwayne Guevara: Company. Sure. So I, I did a little bit of advocacy work in [00:05:00] the Catholic church, and then I moved into corporate immigration law for a few years, uh, before I had a.

[00:05:06] Profound life-changing experience at what the Catholic Church calls World Youth Day, and it's a gathering of young people right across the world at the invitation of the Pope to really have an experience of the fullness of, of the church and faith, and a celebration of young people's contribution. To, to the world.

[00:05:24] And it was in 2016 that, uh, my life really changed. So I came back to my corporate job after that pilgrimage and I felt so restless. I was like, what is this? I can't, I can't let this go. And uh, yeah, I just felt a real invitation to explore other opportunities where I can serve. The local community, uh, which I thought was really interesting because I had always had this dream that I was going to work for something big like the UN or, you know, go away to an overseas organization.

[00:05:51] But I was really pulled into the local needs of my community here. And in many ways it's shaped the way that I see, um, [00:06:00] impact. And, and that really beginning in our local areas. So yeah, it's, it that's kind of been the journey that I've been on.

[00:06:06] Carlo Selorio: Yeah. Yeah. So, um, fast forward to, um, going to your first business.

[00:06:10] So how did you transition from working as a lawyer? Working in a Catholic church, I think you still work in a Catholic church, um, in the diocese and moving over to starting your own business.

[00:06:25] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah, I, uh, so the first business was Young Lions Cafe. It's kind of like this little coffee shop that sits on the corner of Flush Cam Road.

[00:06:33] And, you know, my, my, it was really in discussions with my friend, uh, Rainey. We saw this opportunity to really. Give good vibes, contribute well to the local community, serve our local community in Blacktown, uh, through coffee. And part of that is this. Real belief that we have in the power of relationships.

[00:06:55] And for us, a lot of the relationships and friendships that we've built [00:07:00] was always over coffee. So even in service in youth ministry, you know, when you catch up with someone it'd be over coffee or of meal or food. And so we really thought about how do we transfer some of those experiences into, in some way an innovative way of building connections with people, um, with the heart that we have for four people in a not so in your face way, if that makes sense.

[00:07:26] You know, a real kind of one of our. One of our, um, mottos or values that we live by has been inspired by Mother Teresa and she says to do small things with great love. And so that's really the kind of culture that we've tried to instill. Um, and that transition wasn't easy. I mean, both Raymond and I had never owned a business at that point.

[00:07:45] Yeah. Um, we got to speaking to a number of friends who had started their own businesses. We did research. And funnily enough, we had this sort of like two, three year plan, um, to open it all up. So we thought about the idea in 2016 and we were like, okay, [00:08:00] 2019 we'll have something up and running. And then we spoke to a friend and they basically turned that plan upside down, and they said, why?

[00:08:08] Why don't you just. Start small, you know, why don't you just begin somewhere, um, learn the ropes and then see where that might lead you. And we, we really took that on board. So within, uh, within six to nine months, we had found a spot in Blacktown, not the kind of sit down cafe that we had anticipated. But a real starting point for something that we are really proud to, to be able to offer our community in Blacktown.

[00:08:34] Yeah.

[00:08:35] Carlo Selorio: So it's, uh, so it's an actual space. A big, because I know that it's a, it's a nice, nice little. Cafe you have there? I've seen pictures. I haven't actually seen it. And my wife and I like to go to a lot of cafes. We visit a lot of cafes and we like, we like to go back to cafes that we have good vibe with.

[00:08:53] Good, good customer service, and just being able to relate to the actual business [00:09:00] owners as well. Being able to just, you know, Find out how they got started. So, or do things that you see that they actually communicate to the actual customers. You know, you say, how are you? How's your kids? How's your, yeah.

[00:09:12] You know, the the little questions is like, oh wow, that's, they're pretty cool. So I think your, your, the vibe that you have with your cafe seems to be similar. So, um, it, it's not an actual. Your actual cafe is, uh, is, is it an actual space itself or how did you, um, find the space?

[00:09:29] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah, I think it, uh, I think this space is, was quite a unique find.

[00:09:33] It kind of is like a. Stationary food truck, if I could describe it, it's kinda like just sits in front of this business building. Uh, and it has enough for us to be able to offer coffee and all things that kind of compliment coffee. So, uh, we have the actual. Uh, I guess food truck like space and then everything around it.

[00:09:53] Uh, we've been able to put some, some furniture, some chairs where people can sort of hang out if they wished, but it, it has a very, uh, takeaway style and [00:10:00] we really. Because of the nature of, of the food truck kind of vibe. Um, a lot of the interaction we have is with our customers as opposed to just people coming in, ordering and then sitting down.

[00:10:13] We get to build this kind of relationship with them because they come to us often and yeah, a hundred percent with what you said. For us, it's not just about them getting their coffee, it's really about their experience from the moment that they approach. Shop, um, up until they finish that cup of coffee at wherever they might land e either that's in their car or in their offices, whatever it is.

[00:10:37] The hope is that, you know, it sort of translates into the rest of their day. Yeah. Um, so yeah, it's, it's, that's the kind of vibe that, that it has. Yeah.

[00:10:43] Carlo Selorio: So it's, I'm, I'm imagining that you guys are turning over a few hundred. Coffees a day as a team, because I saw that you got like a pretty big team in a, in a small, small space that you have

[00:10:57] But it's, it's so cool that you have a small [00:11:00] space, but you got a, looks like a quiet, tight-knit team that you have, um, uh, Is that rotational that, that they have, or is it just, um, in terms of working in the cafe, do you have them as a, like they have rosters or something like that? Mm-hmm. ?

[00:11:13] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah. So we've been really blessed, um, as you would've you, as you've mentioned, to have a really incredible team.

[00:11:20] So, We've had this, the, the thing that Remi and I realized, and we actually didn't realize that in the planning or anything like that, was the real gift that we could offer a young person to, to have employment. And so once that clicked to us, uh, it was a big thing for us to be able to provide a safe space where young people can grow in the professionalism, in the capacity to have conversations with people from diverse backgrounds, et cetera.

[00:11:43] So, um, we've gotten to a point now where we've been able to really encourage one of our day ones to step into a managerial role, and that's joy. She's often on social media if you wanna check her out. Yes. Yeah. So she really provides the kind of, um, But the kind of culture that's [00:12:00] quite inclusive and encouraging.

[00:12:01] Uh, and so she's really stepped up in, in that realm. So she's, I mean, like we have a couple of part-timers and, um, a couple of casuals and really it's a, it is a, a bit of a, a rotation in terms of like the roster. Yeah. Um, we've tried our best to have a bit of consistency because I, we know that our customers do, um, find that when there's familiar faces and things aren't, you know, Changing all the time.

[00:12:23] It means that they have that kind of expectation of who, you know, who's gonna greet them and things like this. So, um, yeah, we've, we've also been really fortunate too that, uh, that the team members have stayed for a long period of time. So our retention rate has been really great. And I think that's because of the kind of culture, um, That we're trying to foster, but also because of who they are.

[00:12:43] You know, they have like this real disposition to want to serve, and the hope is that through this cafe they can really engage in meaningful work where they see that it impacts people's day positively. Yeah,

[00:12:55] Carlo Selorio: that is, that is, um, great way to give back to, to the community, especially the youth [00:13:00] who are sometimes at this, at a young age, they don't.

[00:13:05] Which way to lean, or they don't know how to be able to communicate because nowadays kids are stuck into their gadgets, into their phones, into their laptop or gaming or all other things. And I think it's a great way to be able to just teach 'em skills like the soft skills that are hard to learn un unless you actually given that, that kind of, um, training.

[00:13:31] For me, it was through the youth groups that I've, I've been through and through just the friendships that I've had. And, um, I've been lucky that way. But this is a great initiative to be able to just help kids or kids or like young adults to, to go to where they want to go. So just give them a path to, to managerial that, that, that is so great to have.

[00:13:52] So with your business, you. You started a second business. It's, um, it's a [00:14:00] basketball facility. It's something that I actually wanted, been wanting to have for myself. Yeah. In, um, in, it's, it's not, it's not cheap. I know that it's not cheap to have a, uh, Basketball facilities. So I've been a few, there's a few in my area at U S A, but um, yeah.

[00:14:15] So how did you come about from having a cafe now starting a a basketball facility?

[00:14:21] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah, so I, I really believe that, um, when we're, when we're in community and, and we listen well, we start to identify the needs of the community and. I think the nature of how basketball has, uh, connected with me has then moved into opportunities where we we're able to build a women's basketball community, um, like ember's basketball, which started 10 years ago and has really developed in a way that we never thought that it would.

[00:14:48] Um, but what we found is as we try to expand and, and allow. Opportunities for more women to join. We couldn't lock in or secure train opportu like [00:15:00] spaces where we can train or just have socials. And if you're not building your capacity and skill on the court, It then doesn't translate in local competition.

[00:15:10] Yes, that's true. So we needed the consistency of space and in the, in Western Sydney at that time, uh, three, four years ago, there just wasn't a lot of spaces for us because most of the facilities were either booked by, uh, representative basketball. Or, um, groups that I've been running for a very long time and had secured a relationship with these facilities.

[00:15:31] So understandably, we'd be calling every single week, seven days before because that's their policy. And we'd be like, can we book you in book? And they'd be like, sorry, it's out. So we got to a point in 2019, um, about. A couple of years into wanting to grow ember's basketball a bit more, where the leadership team kind of said, it's so hard like it, and this is again, like the listening kind of when you're in community.

[00:15:55] So I remember, um, one meeting we were really kind of frustrated by this reality because [00:16:00] we wanted to build a community. Um, and that evening I just thought, what, what if we just did it ourselves? You know, what if just what if, you know? And I think. Perhaps the curiosity. I mean maybe the, the little bit of the risk taker in me that I'm okay to kind of like explore options to find solutions.

[00:16:16] And I just started looking at warehouses in Western Sydney and I thought, oh, this is how much it costs. Gosh, that's so expensive. And what would it take for us to lay down like wooden or wooden cord and oh my gosh, that's so expensive. And you know, so it then pushed me to sort of like research other kind of, um, options for us.

[00:16:32] And eventually I got to a point. Where I thought to myself, I can't keep this idea to myself. And it's something that I, uh, share with young people that if you have a dream, um, find people that you trust to share it with. Because eventually your idea no long, no longer becomes your own. And you don't get possessive over it.

[00:16:50] And you don't get frustrated when it doesn't turn out the way that you want it, because it really, it really serves the greater. Yes. So I started sharing it with friends, um, especially ones in [00:17:00] our basketball community and just the uptake, uh, and support was just incredible. So, uh, that was at the beginning of 2019, and within six months, we were able to, as a community, find a way to open up the hustle, which is in Mitch Andry.

[00:17:16] After some challenges that I didn't anticipate with creating that space, especially through the council, because you have to go through a number of, um, hurdles to get approval for a space like that. Yeah. So that's really how it all came together. Kind of the listening, kind of bringing in community and then really being open to seeing how we can find a solution together.

[00:17:36] Carlo Selorio: Yeah, because I know I used to play basketball at Rudy. and that those courts got knocked down. Is that's right? Isn't that correct?

[00:17:45] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah. Yes. Yes. So it got taken over by gymnastics or something like this?

[00:17:50] Carlo Selorio: Another sport, yeah. So it is actually having the hustle replaced, that is like another place where people can just go ball out and [00:18:00] just enjoy playing basketball.

[00:18:02] It's the perf, it's actually the perfect place because. , there's so many basketball players out in the Western, in Western Sydney, especially around the Blacktown Mount Draw area. Yeah, it's, um, it's the perfect place to have, wow. How many members do you have over there at, um, the Hustle?

[00:18:17] Qwayne Guevara: So we started off with 200 when we first

[00:18:19] Carlo Selorio: opened.

[00:18:20] Wow. 200 straight

[00:18:21] Qwayne Guevara: away. It, it did, it did get up to about that. And then co obviously Covid happened, but we've been able to retain about a hundred since. So with new. Members and kind of others that have stuck around. Um, about a hundred.

[00:18:32] Carlo Selorio: Mm-hmm. . Yeah, that's, that is awesome cuz there's something that I've been going back and forth with actually my cousin and a few friends, few basketball teams.

[00:18:42] Um, I'm actually about to start a, a basketball club here around my area. So that was the challenges that you went through in finding courts to train in is like a, I think it's not just, um, black down area. It's all over Sydney, where we [00:19:00] then have enough basketball facilities to just train. And, and if you try to book in from the council, it's just too hard.

[00:19:08] It's, yeah, it's too hard. Unless you've got, you've got a lot of money to just fork out to book at it for the, for the year. Yeah. Uh, yeah. It's, um, it's, it's, uh, uh, An awesome initiative for the, for your local community and local basketball players in the area. I'm sure there's a lot of kids now being able to use the hustle and grow and, and, and play representative basketball represent the community.

[00:19:32] I'm, I'm sure, in the near future. Um, what was your biggest wins in. Starting your businesses? I think

[00:19:42] Qwayne Guevara: I would say it's the community aspect. Uh, perhaps it's translating through our conversation that I, I'm deeply passionate about community and I think that really is rooted in, in not only my faith, but also my cultural.

[00:19:55] Background of, you know, Filipinos are quite communal people. Yeah. And I [00:20:00] think when they say it takes a village to raise a child, I think, I don't think it's just a child. I think right through to room to turn, we, we need those connections and support people that we can depend on. Um, I really believe that we, we don't know, we won't realize our full self unless we're in relationship with other people.

[00:20:19] Yeah. Uh, and so, The biggest wins I think is really seeing communities flourish groups in the, at the hustle when they come through and they've been kind of running their socials for like months and months, and you just see this, this real kind of, um, innocent play, you know, in the busyness of our workload that they can come into the hustle and make it their home.

[00:20:42] I think that's such a gift in itself. And, and even at Young Lions, just this capacity to connect with people and, and to offer words of encouragement for the kind of work that they, uh, commit to day in, day out. You know, it's, it all of that kind of reminds me of, um, yeah, this very human. [00:21:00] Aspect of who we are, you know, know, the connection.

[00:21:01] Yes. The relationship. So yeah, that's it. That's a huge win. Like seeing, seeing communities grow.

[00:21:07] Carlo Selorio: Yeah, I know, um, one of the, one of my guests in the podcast, Dax, I know that he uses the hustle a lot and I think he's, he's had a few of his, um, events over there and it's, um, it's a great place to just. You know, bring together, bring people together, bring especially what he's doing in his, in his business and in his community as well.

[00:21:28] So it actually ties in, ties in together. Yeah, sure. In, I know that. Building or having your own cafe and even having hustle, you had to go through a lot of, um, council approvals and all that. So what was the biggest, um, Um, hurdles you faced while starting a business? Businesses?

[00:21:48] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah, sure. I think it really is, uh, just not knowing where to start.

[00:21:52] I think, uh, I, and perhaps that's part of the process too. I think, you know, you kind of learn on the go and you can't always guarantee [00:22:00] perfection through the process. Um, but I think that that probably is where I would have wanted a bit more idea about, you know, what does it take? Um, kind of identifying pockets over the community who have already established, you know, really great businesses and connecting with them a network of those kinds of people.

[00:22:18] Um, you know, if we're, if we're really thinking about it, uh, in terms of the, the hustle. So the hustle opened up in November, 2019 and we were hit with Covid just a few months later. So, You know, our plans for growth were really, um, hindered by the reality of the pandemic. That affect, obviously affected all of us, but it really shifted our mindset from, um, growth to preservation.

[00:22:40] Uh, and we're really wanting to move out of that in the new year. So, I think, you know, unexpected, uh, events that are out of our control, uh, I think more now. I'll definitely be thinking how we safeguard what we do, um, and, and perhaps not be so naive that just because you've started a business, um, the rest of it will just fall into place.

[00:22:59] Really, it's, [00:23:00] it's kind of a. kind of a dance. You play with kind of the optimism and the high, high hopes and big dreams and kind of really being grounded in the reality of what is the trends, um, what, you know, things are coming up even with government. So yeah, a bit of, bit of challenges there.

[00:23:14] Carlo Selorio: Yeah. Um, what motivates you daily?

[00:23:18] Qwayne Guevara: I would say, A big part of it is my faith. I have experienced a deep love, um, from God and and from community that my deepest. Um, hopes is that other people are able to find that kind of, uh, connection. And so even though it's hard, I, you know, it's not easy juggling, um, these things. And sometimes there's things that come up that really make me question why I'm still here.

[00:23:46] Um, but again, it is seeing the fruit, seeing the. The ways in which people grow, the impact that it has in people's lives. That kind of affirms me that it, it, this is where I'm called to be right now, so it [00:24:00] helps me get up in the morning and sometimes it kicks me up at night, but, uh, it's all, it's all

[00:24:04] Carlo Selorio: part of it.

[00:24:04] Yeah. Yes. Being a business owner, especially you, you still have to juggle your work as well on top, on top of two businesses. It's, uh, it would be a lot. Um, time management and a lot of forward planning for you? I'd, I'd say especially, um, with trying to make sure that your business is running in the way that you wanted it to be run.

[00:24:26] Right. Um, who are your influences growing up and influence in business or even in.

[00:24:33] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah, look in business specifically, uh, funnily enough, when Ramey and I decided that we would start young lions, Someone introduced? No, my friends who were like, you should just go for it. Um, they were like, you should start listening to Gary Vaynerchuk.

[00:24:47] Nice. And I was like, who is this guy? Anyway, I totally vibed with his like high intensity. I just thought, I have not encountered an like, I guess a business person who was just really engaging. Um, really upfront. [00:25:00] And I think for some people, I know that I recommended him to some friends and they're like, this guy is a lot.

[00:25:05] But for me, I just thought, yo, this is where I'm at. Like, this is what I wanna be in terms of business. I wanna be high energy. Um, really positive, um, choosing kindness, really staying true to, you know, the, the why. And yeah, so Gary Vanerchuk was a big sort of, Um, uh, yeah, he really shaped the way that I looked at business.

[00:25:22] Carlo Selorio: Yeah. He's a mentor even though he doesn't know that you, you are actually getting mentored by him. wild.

[00:25:28] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Yeah, for sure. So I would say him in terms of business for sure. Yeah.

[00:25:33] Carlo Selorio: Um, he's, I've been following Gary V when he first started doing his wine library tv, so Oh, on YouTube?

[00:25:41] Yeah, on YouTube. That's crazy. Yeah. Yeah. Before he actually became a social media superstar or started doing his business. Yeah. Um, in the media space anyway, but he's been a, a mentor as well for me, even though he doesn't know that he's, he doesn't know it. . I, I've listened to, uh, I've read some of his books and he's like, just, you know, [00:26:00] sometimes, like you said, Gary v's.

[00:26:02] Not for everyone because. Sometimes his language is different to what people don't like, but it's like the, the human aspect, the human to, um, touches he has that helps, you know, if you can get around all the other things that he says, and the valuable lessons that he gives is just next to none. That's, I think, Going forward, I know that it's still brand new business for you, for the hustle and for the Young Lions Club.

[00:26:33] Um, what are your big goals for let's say the next year and next three to 10 years?

[00:26:38] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah, I love that question. The hope is that young, um, the hope is that the hustle, uh, becomes a non-for-profit. So really wanting to see ways in which we can connect with government, um, so that we can start pumping in some funding into some grassroots programs.

[00:26:53] Yeah, so, uh, at the moment, doing quite a bit of research into non-for-profit structures. How we go about [00:27:00] governance, um, applications for grants. So I've got a number of connections who I'm learning from in terms of the kind of work that they're doing in other spaces. Um, so that's the, that's the big hope for the hustle is that it becomes a hub for locals to really find.

[00:27:14] And access opportunities, uh, not just in basketball, but really in other areas of of life. Um, one particular area that I'm also passionate about is giving women access to sport. Yes. So, um, there's a real kind of push, um, locally and also statewide, um, from government to try and, uh, resource. A little bit more.

[00:27:33] So I'd really like to tap into that. So, um, that's the hustle. Uh, and obviously that ties in with embers too. Um, and then we're, we're looking at, for young lions, just perhaps opening up another kind of similar vibe somewhere, um, in Western Sydney. Nice. But looking at how we, um, kind of. Use our culture and our messaging on, in the online sort of space to see where we can further the message and culture of online.

[00:27:57] So it just isn't just about the [00:28:00] coffee, but also, I mean, it's already embedded in what we do. It's also about the community that we're trying to build. Yeah.

[00:28:05] Carlo Selorio: Community in creating that tribe aspect. Yes, yes, yes. It's, um, it. I think you're actually more than halfway or going towards, toward your, I think the culture that you built already in your, in your business is going to flow through.

[00:28:21] As long as you keep those, those people that are very close, especially your managers, like joy in the business. Yeah, yeah, for sure. Um, in, uh, what are your top three advice for. Um, entrepreneurs and future business owners?

[00:28:36] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah, great question. I would say the first is to, um, to really learn how to listen. I think it's so important even once you've opened up.

[00:28:46] Uh, your business that you continue to listen, continue to be teachable because you just never know when someone's going to give you a nugget or, um, hold you accountable so that you can be better at what you're doing. So that's [00:29:00] the first, I say. The third one is to really remember your why, especially when it gets really tough.

[00:29:06] Um, you know, I, I personally had some really dark moments during covid. And many times I just wanted to give up. But the why, um, really kept me going. Uh, and then finally is that, um, don't do things alone. So I am a product and a testament to the very good people around me who have supported me, who have decided that this is, these things are also things that they're passionate about and they, they want to be a part of.

[00:29:36] When people often ask, how do you do it? I say, I don't do it alone. It just would be impossible. And I would not, I would probably not be alive because it would run, run me to the ground. Like it just wouldn't be possible. There are very good people around me, um, who I would say full credit to them, that they, um, are all in, in terms of making these things work.

[00:29:56] So listen, your why [00:30:00] and solid community.

[00:30:01] Carlo Selorio: Wow, perfect. Perfect for any businesses or entrepreneurs who wants to start a business. It's just, um, everything ties in together really well. And, um, you can apply it to any business that you want to. Yes. Um, how do you want to impact the world and what kind of legacy do you want to.

[00:30:22] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah, great. I think at the moment, uh, it's really important that when we have a vision, we are really meeting the needs of the now. So one of the key things that keep coming up is just how disconnected and isolated people are. Um, a lot of people wanna be seen, a lot of people want to find meaningful, authentic relationships.

[00:30:46] And so really in the work that we're involved in, One thing that I would hope happens is that there's a real reorientation back to community, uh, reorientation away [00:31:00] from individualism and is kind of a. This kind of, um, competitive environment. And I, I mean, I would say Carlo, the work that you're doing and trying to connect with people and, and uh, lift up the voices of different people is very much in that same vein of, you know, how do we get people connected again?

[00:31:18] So that we're able to, for the, for future generations really witness to how important is that As human beings, we don't see each other as competitors or we really see each other as a community that seeks to, to have everyone flourish, you know? So, um, that's what I hope is that in community, that we experience the fullness of.

[00:31:39] and that's through these connections that we're trying to build. They just so happen to be in, in, in, you you know, in these projects or businesses.

[00:31:46] Carlo Selorio: Yeah, it's, it's awesome that, it's great that you got a really good, um, business model. I think it's, it always, uh, I was listening to, uh, a book. I'd like to listen to audio.

[00:31:57] Audible, um, I was listening to a guy named [00:32:00] Russell Brunson. It's about creating a tribe, creating a community to what you are trying to achieve, and then your community will follow. So you, you lead, you lead by example, and then you, you lead your community to what you want to achieve. So it's pretty much what you're actually doing now, with your business.

[00:32:22] I talked about Audible, I talked about books. Um, what, let's, what, what book do you recommend? Which book do you recommend if one book or even a few books that you'd like, uh, listeners. To read or they should read.

[00:32:35] Qwayne Guevara: Sure. Uh, some of these might be left or field, but um, I have three. So the first book is, uh, it's, it's by an author, uh, named Henry Nowan, and he's a Christian author.

[00:32:45] And the book is called Wounded Healer. Nice. And it's an incredible book about. Just recognizing that you don't need to be healed, or some might say perfect in order, in order to accompany [00:33:00] people towards, um, their own healing. So a real kind of like human book there. Uh, the second one is The Alchemist By Public Fellow.

[00:33:09] Yes. By Jessica. When I read that, I just thought, man, that really speaks to me in terms of the journey and, and life and you know, how we get pulled into different tangents and you know, so I really love that book. And then the last book is, um, a book called Boundaries by two Christian Psychologists. And if you are perhaps like me from.

[00:33:31] Um, uh, uh, an Asian background, um, very connected with family and community and church perhaps. Um, it's, it's a book all about being able to say no. So really creating good boundaries for yourself so that you. Don't burn out in the process of, of trying to serve. So those, those three books, I would say nice, are really cool.

[00:33:50] Carlo Selorio: I've, I've read The Alchemist and the other two books. I'm going to go have a look or hopefully I can go and be able to read myself. So the [00:34:00] three great books to recommend, I'll put it in the show notes, make sure that our listeners can go have a look at it as well. Okay. Um, Last, last words. Do you have anything that you wanted to say?

[00:34:12] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah, I, I think I'm gonna go back to one of the inspirations for Young Lions Cafe and it's, it's from, uh, the Gospel of Mark, and there's a line in the gospel that says, take courage. And I really love that line because the person that it's being said to is someone who is blind. And this imagery of just taking the first step forward, even though it's scary, uh, yeah, I think it's all part of, all part of this pursuit of being your authentic self in the world.

[00:34:51] So take courage and just see where the ride takes you.

[00:34:55] Carlo Selorio: Yeah. Yeah. That is great way to, to [00:35:00] finish up. If the listeners need to need some help with business or they want they have a question for you or want to go, come visit some of your two spots, how can they reach.

[00:35:13] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah, I would say the best spot to start is Instagram.

[00:35:16] So we, we use Instagram quite a bit to connect with our community, so you can either find me, uh, Qwayne Guevara, so @qwayneguevara on Instagram or @younglionscafe, or @theHustle.Society, or @embersbasketball. So any of those, um, ways you'll be able to check out what we, what we do, or, or about. If anything resonates, you have any questions, feel free to reach.

[00:35:39] Carlo Selorio: Perfect. Perfect. I'll put all those in the sh in the show notes so that they can actually come see you, see what you are all about, see what your businesses are all about. So it's perfect. Perfect tie in. Thank you again, Qwayne for. Great interview. Thank you very much for having coming on and, um, sharing this journey with me.

[00:35:59] Um, um, hopefully I [00:36:00] can help, um, in any way and for your community as well, so to, to know what your story's all about. So thank you once again and the hope to catch up soon.

[00:36:11] Qwayne Guevara: Yeah, for sure. Thanks Carlo. Thank you for the opportunity. It's a real honor to be part of this initiative of yours. So keen to see it grow.

[00:36:17] Okay.

[00:36:17] Carlo Selorio: Thank you so much, Qwayne. Have a great day. Thanks. Bye. Bye.