Rico Gongora

Rico is currently a senior in the John Cook School of Business and is studying Finance. Rico grew up in Belize, where he works to export electronics and designer clothing & fragrances to Belize from the United States.

His interest in business began when he was 12 years old, after having suffered a minor bicycle accident. When he couldn’t find any first aid supplies, he realized that many people must have the same problem and started selling mini first aid kits as their solution. Later, as a High School Sophomore, he took art classes and started selling his paintings and other sketches. He was inspired by his peers and encouraged by his parents to develop his entrepreneurial identity.

His most recent endeavor is Baby Wagons, a retail distribution store that provides commodity goods: designer fragrances, fashion accessories, handbags, and gift items. Operations originally began after High School, selling electronics in a small section of his parents’ company, Wagons, a retail/wholesale store which sells clothing, shoes, furniture, and more. He was passionate about interacting with others and wanted to continue to grow his business. He started his own store, Baby Wagons.

Two years later, he was faced with the ultimatum of either choosing to go to college in the United States or continuing business in Belize; Rico chose both. Due to parallel business models between his parents’ company and his own, Baby Wagons now operates in unison with Wagons and he is able to pursue his studies abroad. The storefront now offers a wide variety of goods for sale, fusing both companies products under one roof. Rico cites both his parents for his success, saying that, “the strong influence from my parents to be my best has led me to become the person I am today.”