Inspiring Conversations with Geolyn Gonzalez of Total Resources International

Today we’d like to introduce you to Geolyn Gonzalez

Hi Geolyn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I feel like my story begins with my family and lands with my family. I won’t say “ends” because by no means has my story ended yet. And when I say “family,” I’m referring to the family legacy that my parents built 34 years ago. My dad was an immigrant from the Philippines and came to the USA in 1968. He was 18 years old and full of ambition – a real mover and shaker. After many years of success and (failures), he and my mom started a business called Total Resources International (TRI) in 1991. TRI began by making earthquake survival kits, which quickly evolved to first aid kits. And in1996, my parents also started their non-profit organization called Vision HimPossible (VHM) to give back to communities in need in the Philippines and Mexico. TRI supported VHM and had a giving program before it became trendy or the cool thing to do. So, in my formative years, my parents started a family business and their intentions were always for their kids to take over one day. My two sisters were older and already working for the family business, but that’s not what I aspired to do. Respectfully. I knew that I didn’t want to work at TRI, yet was very uncertain of what I wanted for my future. I just always had that nagging feeling that there was something more for me out there, something bigger. I wanted to work in LA in the entertainment industry. So, I went to college to figure it out. God had plans. Oh boy, did God have plans!!

In 1999 while I was still in college, I got married and had my first baby girl, Aijah Raye. She was such a good baby, that some of my professors allowed me to bring her to class and my Spanish professor used to walk around the class holding her while teaching us. LOL. After I graduated in 2000, I was trying to figure out how to establish a stable career path, while also prioritizing raising my baby. Then another plot twist happened and I had another baby in 2001 – my son Maseo. With two little ones, a career in the entertainment industry seemed impossible. Thankfully, I was able to work at TRI, which was close to home, so that I could work full-time and still raise my babies. I took them to work with me every day. Which was convenient and fun, but quite challenging. I was blessed to have a job, but deep down I felt like I didn’t have a place or a purpose there. Cut to 2005 when the kids were old enough to be in school and I left the family business to pursue a career in LA. I got a job offer to work at an agency in Santa Monica that represented fashion stylists, hair and makeup artists, and photographers. I loved it!! I felt like I was thriving, meeting cool people, worked in a fun and cool environment, and building m network. Just really out here doing my thing. I felt like I was using my talents, learning new things, finding out what my strengths were, and carving my own path. This job led to other jobs at other agencies and in 2006, I finally landed what I thought was a dream job. I got hired as a New Faces scout/booking agent for one of the top modeling agencies in the world. I mean!! I loved this job. I loved my co-workers, and all the cool perks and people. However, I was a single mother, and my job was very demanding – often requiring client dinners after work and scouting models on weekends. So, it was just very hard to juggle everything, while maintaining my sanity, and being fully present for my two kids. But thankfully I had a village – because it does take one – and we made it work! In January 2008, I had my third child, Greyson King but unfortunately in September, the Great Recession hit hard. I lost my job and I was devastated. I spent the next two years applying and interviewing endlessly for jobs that never materialized into anything. Literally, no one was hiring, so I don’t even know why jobs were being posted. I could’ve gone back to the family business, but I didn’t want to. I was being so stubborn – like I had to prove to myself that I could still do this on my own. But this economic crisis and being unemployed for two years really humbled me. And in 2010, I finally decided to come back to TRI. But this time, it was different.

With being back in the family business for 14 years now, God has revealed so much to me and continues to do so every day. A few years after I got back, I started TRI’s Marketing department from the ground up. I wasn’t sure what I was doing at first, but I was tenacious, resourceful, and had enough well-rounded experience to figure it out. I believe all things happen for a reason and I was meant to be in that position. And once I opened up myself to that and fully surrendered, God brought in the right people at the right time to help me. After a year or two, our marketing department was blossoming and was fully integrated into the company ethos. In 2017, we started rebranding both the brand and our non-profit ministry. We needed a new look, new energy, and new messaging. We needed to define our social impact giving program, give it more structure, work on the messaging, and shoot new content. Our logo and packaging needed a makeover because we wanted to appeal to the younger, millennial demographic.

Also in 2017, I went on a solo work trip to the Philippines to visit the VHM missions and it changed my life. I was there for 3 weeks with a jam-packed agenda to visit missions, shoot content, and work with our ad agency to rebrand the non-profit VHM, and shoot content for our social impact program, Every Kit Cares. This was my mission. But God had His own mission there for me. This trip was the pivotal moment where God truly revealed His purpose for me at TRI. Witnessing the impact our little family’s business had across the world, I knew that this was my purpose. I see this when I visit stores and see our products on shelves. And now on the other end, I saw the impact it made on people in the Philippines. Us making and selling these kits is feeding, sheltering, rescuing, healing, and educating children and families across the world. This is why I’m here, this is what I’m meant to do. All the years of outside work experience lead to this. The experience I gained, the people I met, the failures I overcame, the network I built – it all prepared me and groomed me for this. To be bold. Be a leader. Be brave. Be strong. Take on more. Don’t give up. Grow the missions. Go back and work hard. Grow marketing. Grow the business. Grow the ministry. Take over the sales department. Figure it out and DO IT. God gave me all the perspective I needed. And for the first time in my life, I felt it. This is where I’m meant to be. This is what I’m meant to do.

In 2019, I also took over the sales department because the Sales Director position needed to be filled. At the time, it just made sense for me to do it. Sales & Marketing, Marketing & Sales – they go hand-in-hand, right? Dude, I was so scared. I honestly don’t know what made me think I could lead both sales and marketing, but I committed to it. Something in me I wanted this. Something in me knew I could do it. Something in me knew I had to prove it to myself. But I knew this was a huge task. It was going to require a lot of work and sacrifice, and I still have a lot to learn. I had to make a lot of changes and the changes had to start with me first. Now in 2024, I am the head of Sales & Marketing, my sister Dawn is the head of Operations, my sister Gina is the head of Research & Development, and our dad is the CEO. Working closely together with my sisters and Dad, there will always be challenges. But the challenges are well worth it! Year after year, our business grows. Year after year, our sales continue to grow. Year after year, our ministry grows. Year after year, we continue to build more schools and support more communities in need. And year after year, we get better, stronger, and more resilient. After 34 years, we’re just getting started! It’s as clear as day for me now…. I had many other aspirations and tried other careers, but God has always led me back here to TRI. With my family. I’m here to help preserve our business heritage. I’m here to keep fighting for our family’s legacy. So that our children, our children’s children, and even their children, can reap the benefits of what we sow.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I honestly don’t even know what a smooth road is! But all jokes aside, working with family and working thru our family dynamics is super interesting. We always say “Man, if only we had our own show…” LOL. It’s fun, dramatic, exciting, draining, exhausting, funny until it’s not, and is all extremely challenging. But also, very rewarding! Because when one wins, we all win! Managing our family dynamics, with different personalities and managing styles has always and forever been a challenge. But we always have one thing in common: the shared vision, and the shared purpose. Knowing that God has always had this plan for us. Through all the victories, breakthroughs, setbacks, tears, emotions, disagreements, and compromises…every day, we all still show up. We try to lead our teams to the best of our abilities and always rise to the challenge. There’s also the transition of my dad stepping down and retiring…. “one day.” It’s been “one day” for about 5 years now. We’re talking about a man, our CEO, who is 73 years old and still works 5 days a week. That kind of man doesn’t step down so easily!
I also think that just stopping to embrace our journey is a challenge. Letting go, and letting God. Because he is in control. All the work is always so fast-paced and everything is a priority and everything is needed now. But learning how to slow down, breathe, pray, and meditate on big decisions is one big learning process. Being more mindful and trying hard not to make impulsive or emotional decisions that will affect everything, everyone, and trickle down the line. Also, being vulnerable. Admitting my weaknesses, learning from failure, and learning how to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Showing up. No matter what. Staying focused, driven, and having an unwavering commitment to be a leader. These are the challenges I face daily. Truthfully, some days I want to cry (LOL), but most days I put on my big girl panties and overcome victoriously. Because there is work to be done, and it’s for the best cause. Fighting the good fight, and preserving your family and legacy, makes all the difference and always matters.

Proverbs 16:9: “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”

Proverbs 19:21: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

As you know, we’re big fans of Total Resources International. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
What started as a small, minority family-owned and operated business in 1991, Total Resources International (TRI) has grown over 4 family generations to become the leading authoritative force in our industry. We are the nation’s largest manufacturer of First Aid Kits and Emergency Preparedness Essentials. A portion of our sales from our national brand, Be Smart Get Prepared® helps impact consumers and communities globally through our social impact Every Kit Cares®. We partner with the non-profits in the Philippines, Mexico, India, etc. Every Kit Cares was established to enrich, empower, and encourage underserved children and families around the world.

We know first aid and we make it exciting! I am the Chief Sales & Marketing Officer and I’m proud and excited to see our legacy and brand Be Smart Get Prepared goes next. Our products can be found nationally at major retail stores, across multiple retail categories. You can find us at Walmart, Sam’s Club, Lowe’s, Kroger, O’Reilly Auto, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, Smart n Final, Amazon, and many more. Six years ago, we also launched another brand called SILVEX, which is an antimicrobial nano silver gel for wounds and burns.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.trikits.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besmartgetprepared/