Julio Gil, a local business owner from East Salinas, is making a significant impact on his community through his entrepreneurial skills during Hispanic Heritage Month. Gil, who owns Central Coast Sign and Design, attributes his success to his lifelong passion for drawing. “It’s full circle, from drawing and doing what I love to do and now being able to come to work every day and just design and help people,” Gil said.Gil’s interest in drawing began at a young age. “I was the kid who would just draw in class and sometimes not pay attention because I’d be drawing and I’d love to draw,” he said. He attended Alisal High School, then Hartnell College, and graduated from California State University, Monterey Bay, with a focus on graphic design. “It’s something I did well since I was a kid and was lucky enough to get introduced to the right people to get into graphic design at Hartnell College and then met somebody that gave me the idea of starting a sign company, became partners with them, we kind of worked for a while, and then I kind of stayed with the company by myself,” Gil said.With over 24 years in business, Gil remains committed to his passion and hires local employees who share his enthusiasm. “I love to hire locals, I love to know that a graphic designer went to a local high school, went to my high school, Alisal,” he said.Gil acknowledges the challenges of being a Latino business owner but uses his upbringing to his advantage. “Working hard as our parents showed us and gave us a good example when they worked the fields and we worked the fields as well, my brothers and I, I think you just learn to have that grit and getting through things,” he said.He also enjoys giving back to the community that has supported him. “Being a sponsor for the Rodeo, we started doing that many years ago, over ten years in sponsoring with the Rodeo, and we know that gives back to the community quite a bit. We also started working with the Air Show, and that’s another great event that happens for our community that we sponsor,” Gil said.Gil said seeing clients happy is one of the most rewarding feelings for him.
Julio Gil, a local business owner from East Salinas, is making a significant impact on his community through his entrepreneurial skills during Hispanic Heritage Month. Gil, who owns Central Coast Sign and Design, attributes his success to his lifelong passion for drawing.
“It’s full circle, from drawing and doing what I love to do and now being able to come to work every day and just design and help people,” Gil said.
Gil’s interest in drawing began at a young age. “I was the kid who would just draw in class and sometimes not pay attention because I’d be drawing and I’d love to draw,” he said.
He attended Alisal High School, then Hartnell College, and graduated from California State University, Monterey Bay, with a focus on graphic design.
“It’s something I did well since I was a kid and was lucky enough to get introduced to the right people to get into graphic design at Hartnell College and then met somebody that gave me the idea of starting a sign company, became partners with them, we kind of worked for a while, and then I kind of stayed with the company by myself,” Gil said.
With over 24 years in business, Gil remains committed to his passion and hires local employees who share his enthusiasm.
“I love to hire locals, I love to know that a graphic designer went to a local high school, went to my high school, Alisal,” he said.
Gil acknowledges the challenges of being a Latino business owner but uses his upbringing to his advantage.
“Working hard as our parents showed us and gave us a good example when they worked the fields and we worked the fields as well, my brothers and I, I think you just learn to have that grit and getting through things,” he said.
He also enjoys giving back to the community that has supported him.
“Being a sponsor for the Rodeo, we started doing that many years ago, over ten years in sponsoring with the Rodeo, and we know that gives back to the community quite a bit. We also started working with the Air Show, and that’s another great event that happens for our community that we sponsor,” Gil said.
Gil said seeing clients happy is one of the most rewarding feelings for him.
