Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with GJ Salcedo

We recently had the chance to connect with GJ Salcedo and have shared our conversation below.

GJ, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I now have a 3 year old boy with my wife. Having to owner-operate a preschool for children ages 18mo-5yo, for 12 years now, it brings us such joy to have a child of our own. No matter how many children you’ve been exposed to, witnessed the care-giving, given instructions, etc, its very different when you have your own child. Now I find I can better relate with our clients, the children’s parents and guardians, and see them in a totally different light.
But most importantly, having a 3 year old boy who is truly ours, is such a rewarding experience every day, no matter how tired we all are, coming home, all 3 of us (yes because my wife works with us and our boy attends our school), its such joy!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We are the proud owners of Mentor Preschools, a Christian Preschool. We are a Christian Preschool dedicated to providing quality early childhood education, nurturing Christian Values through Academic, Social, Emotional, and Spiritual Development, with a focus on Life Skills and Culinary Appreciation, preparing children for kindergarten, elementary school, and beyond. We place a big emphasis on Food, which is included, cooked on premises in front of the children. We believe that “the quickest way to a child’s heart, mind, and soul is through their stomach”.

Over a decade ago, together with my Father Fil, we conceptualized and constructed this Preschool. With my architectural background, and his entrepreneurial prowess, we built what was to become Pasadena’s best preschool for many consecutive years. As our existence and success grew, so did the philosophy of the school and slowly but surely, we’ve gravitated and have put much emphasis on, of all things, FOOD! So much so that when we expanded and decided to open a second location, I designed the new school to showcase and have the Kitchen front and center. I too gradually became the resident chef, and until today, our Christian program revolves around our food! Who knew that Architecture + Child Care Management + Cheffing could all go beautifully hand-in-hand.

I draw much knowledge and skills from my Architecture background, our family entrepreneurial ventures, and my love for food and cooking, and it is in the intersection of these skill sets that forms the spirit and methods of Mentor everyday. And now with the addition of a beautiful wife who works alongside me, and a handsome son who attends our preschool, I am so blessed and proud to add husband and father to these skillsets that further ensure Mentor’s success.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
I learned most about my work at our preschool from the children themselves. As an architect, I drew up the designs and plans of our preschool that led to its opening. Slowly, I ended up being part of the admin team and became its owner-operator. I fell in love with the job and took 100% control of operations, making sure to implement a horizontal organization structure where owner, directors, teachers, aides, everyone! works side by side, as one body, in service of God through proper care of the children we serve. While I immersed myself in the day to day operations, I too became the school chef, and listened to what the children want, what the parents desired, and learned what the children need.
While doing so day to day, I started the design of our second location, and consider my everyday work with the children, the parents, the staff, and the school at large as one giant, long, architectural client interview. I learned what the children, parents, teachers, staff, and the government agencies both want and need. And all this manifested eventually into the unique architectural layout of our new location, which centers around the kitchen and our food, providing a layout that is conducive to the unique learning experience the children of Mentor have, and the unique teaching and care experience that our teachers are able to provide, and the best experience that parents feel as they enter our premises.
It is by being with the children first, the parents second, and my staff too, that has taught me how to best work, and provide the best working environment, all in the service of God through the children.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. During Covid. But in hindsight, it strengthened us. We were at one time the only preschool open during Covid. When procedures and protocols were just being developed, when the unknown surrounded us with fear and uncertainty, we soldiered on and remained open.
As schools closed left and right, and for the right reasons, we heard the cries of first responders and frontliners who in order to effectively face the covid crisis, needed a place for their children. So we remained open to provide them this service. I was able to do so, only because our staff was willing to do so. Armed with nothing but masks, faceshield, sanitizers, and a Faith in God, they shared the desire to remain open for these families.
Bills were not getting paid, rent was not paid, it was easier to just play it safe and give up. Even for just the moment. Perhaps even temporarily. But we could not. And we proved we could stay open. Later, we learned we could stay afloat, and as evidenced by our existence today, remain as strong as ever.
We almost gave up. Much of the world did, even if temporarily. But because of Faith in God, and a mutual Faith in each other, between me, my family, and my staff, we knew we didnt have to.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I am limiting this question to the scope of my business’s industry.
1. The customer is NOT always right. (no offense clients!)
2. The children are NOT our future. Its the teachers of these children that are our future.
3. It is harder to find good teachers than it is to find more customers. I’d rather lose a customer than lose a good teacher. (see #1 above).

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
That I am at heart an Architect. I may not be building buildings, but every task I tackle, every problem I solve, involves an architectural solution.
USC Architecture School was not cheap. My parents invested heavily into my education. And although I did not end up being a full time traditional architect, everything I am, every success, even failures, has been a result of my rigorous Architecture training.
Architects, at their very essence, are problem solvers. We can solve the most complex problems with calm poise and precision. We take our time, and tackle hurdles from multi-dimensional angles, with precision.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mentorpreschools.com
• Instagram: @mentoravenuepreschool
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mentorpasadena/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mentor-preschool-on-lake-pasadena?osq=Mentor+Preschool+on+Lake
• Other: Second YELP page:
  https://www.yelp.com/biz/mentor-avenue-preschool-pasadena?osq=Mentor+Avenue+Preschool

  NextDoor:
  https://nextdoor.com/pages/mentor-avenue-preschool-city?utm_campaign=1769718773217&share_action_id=1db0e8e7-fa47-4d63-9f07-ddd33f78e8dd