City Development, Launching Businesses and Navigating Tough Times: An Interview With Riverside Councilmember Ronaldo Fierro
Riverside Councilmember Ronaldo Fierro has always had a passion for hospitality and politics. Those interests have collided as both a Councilmember and a business owner. Through his political office, Fierro has found a way to give back to his city and stay involved. As the owner of The Salted Pig, a gastro pub located downtown, and W. Wolfskill, a Riverside cocktail bar, Fierro has found a way to bring people together and invest in their lives.
Our Team had the opportunity to hear his thoughts on the challenges of launching and managing businesses, as well as how he has navigated leadership and a devastating pandemic.
Strong Roots and Future Successes
As the son of an entrepreneur, Councilmember Fierro grew up witnessing first-hand the challenges of launching and managing a business. His father, who started a produce packing company from the ground up, lost everything during the LA riots in 1992. Fierro recalls his family coming together to rebuild the business.
“My dad was forced to empty our bank accounts to pay everything off and start again from scratch,” he says. The efforts resulted in a tomato packing and wholesale company that has since been successful.
As for the challenges Fierro faced when launching his own businesses, there were many uphill battles. “When we first started The Salted Pig—that was in 2010— we were in a deep recession,” he says. “Nobody was opening restaurants. People didn’t seem to be going out. A lot of people advised me not to open it, but the way I saw it was, there was still a need in the community and people needed to eat...we found the way to make the silver lining.”
Fierro had to draw from lessons learned in his youth to keep his ventures going. “It wasn't really the successes that I learned from,” he says. “It was watching when my dad had big challenges (to face). It showed me that he was never down. He was always optimistic.”
Staying Optimistic During A Pandemic
For Fierro, keeping a sense of optimism has been key amidst a pandemic and political unrest. “Even when Covid hit…(I asked), ok, what do we need to do now? What’s the next step forward? What’s the next logical move?”
In terms of business, Councilmember Fierro thought it important to look at the pandemic as a chance for new opportunities. “There is going to be opportunity, but we have to keep our eyes open. Don’t get stuck in your ways. Be adaptable,” he says to business owners struggling during uncertain times.
Fierro also acknowledges that the fear of losing a business during the pandemic is a reality, but points out there is hope. “I know what that feeling is like when you have bills stacked up and you have payroll stacking up and you have no idea how to pay it, but you find a way,” he says. “I’ve borrowed money, I’ve put money on credit cards, I’ve sold things...Failure is a stumble. It isn’t permanent. It really is just a momentary pause in your journey.”
A City Up-and-Coming
The new year is indeed hopeful for the city of Riverside. This year a new California Air Resources Board facility is opening up near UCR. The facility will focus on research that aims to improve vehicle emissions, eco-friendly office space and green city development. Not only will the testing site lead to improved city infrastructure, it will also pave the way for more business opportunities in the years to come.
“Riverside has a real opportunity to reinvent the economy,” Fierro says.
He notes that the facility will draw the interest of large tech companies and firms. “Those high paying jobs build stability. They build legacy families who will stay here (for years).”
The program is just one of many ways the city of Riverside seeks to grow and bring in new business over the next couple of years.
The Role of Business In The Community
As a successful business owner and local politician, Fierro finds it important to give back. To him, giving back means doing more than donating to charities. For him, it means getting involved in the community and engaging with those in your sphere of influence.
As for how exactly to get involved? “I would say to business owners, get your business stable, get where you need to be. But then at that point...it's (about) getting involved with (city) issues, and being a mentor to people, and rounding out your life,” Fierro says.
“When the community succeeds, everybody succeeds.”
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