Innovative Applications with Daniella Gonzalez (Linkedin Live)

This week, Ali G and Courtney get the chance to talk to Festo Product Manager, Daniella Gonzalez.

They cover topics like gender imbalances in the field, problem-solving with customers, Daniella' work with training and workforce development at Festo, and which Harry Potter house they all are.

Transcript

[00:00:00] Hi, guys. We are live now, with Daniela and Courtney's here and, it's me, Ali G and, uh, Nikki's not gonna make this one. So it's gonna be super interesting. Because this is not what I'm trained for. And so I'm gonna wing it. And, Courtney's here to wing it with me. So it'll be fine. But, um, yeah, I'll give a little update.

 I finally am . You know closing, I know I have this contract that I got but I finally got word of it finally coming So i'm just like okay, it's real even though I know it's real Uh, yeah, so i'm super excited about that. I've been staffing up for that. And so i'm ready to get going.

Um, low on money, like, that's always fun. And, so how are you doing, Courtney? Uh, yeah, low on money. Uh, It inspires us, right? To, figure out how to get money. Um, in different ways. I made that mistake of like you said, you know, staffing up, but I hired people before the pipe was completely full.

[00:01:00] So that was, you know, me being enthusiastic. Time to fill it really hard. Awesome. Well, we're here with, Daniela Gonzalez and, she's from Festo. Um, but, We can talk about how we normally ask the question. How did you get into Manufacturing slash automation and how did you find pesto?

Yeah, so, uh, it's it's a long story It goes way back. You know kind of like Growing up. I was always interested in how things work. I was always a very curious person So I love taking things apart sometimes put them back together. Not always, you know, and, just like my favorite subjects were always math, chemistry, anything science I love.

And so I thought, you know, this is going to be my path. And then, my dad was really a big inspiration for it. He was kind of like an inventor himself. You know, he was not An engineer per se, he didn't go to school, but he had the knowledge of many engineers combined. And so he, for [00:02:00] me, uh, you know, just watch him, like how he would improve things and make machines.

I remember, so he had a small marble factory for, say like moldings and tiles, that kind of stuff. And when he started, you know, being a small company, it was really hard to keep up with some of the bigger competitors. And so I remember one time, like he was at the table and he was like designing stuff and like doing something.

And then I asked him, you know, like, what's going on? And he's like, Oh, you know, there's this process that takes about. I don't know, eight people or something to make this chunk of marble into a molding, like finish, right? And so he figured out how to make a machine that just automate the whole thing.

And instead of having eight people, you have to one at the end, putting the chunk of marble and the other one at the other end, just pulling it out. And like, just kind of walk me through and he built it and design it and like everything. And so for me, that was like, wow, [00:03:00] like that's awesome.

And. It was really like eye opening, right. To see like, automation is needed. And then eventually I did go to school for engineering. So I'm originally from Mexico. So I started, for mechatronics engineering in Mexico, and then I moved to the U S. So I ended as a mechanical engineer out of the university of, Washington, DC.

 And yeah, so it was, for me. I moved, uh, right after graduation. So I didn't have a job and I was just kind of looking around and then, Festo came around and, , because I did like a little bit of minor in German and I also had Spanish as my language. So having all the languages, also like some recruiter called me and they're like, Hey, like, would you be interested in like joining this company?

I'm like. It looks like a cool company. So yeah, 11 years later, here I am. How has that been? That's a long time. That is a long time. Um, yeah, I think, you know, our averages, [00:04:00] have decreased over the years in terms of how long people stay at companies. And, you know, some of these companies aren't even that old.

But at the same time, yeah, like I think, you know, three to five years is more common, and then hr is looking out for the one to two years that keep hopping and they don't want those people but yeah, What made you comfortable enough to stay somewhere, you know, for that long 

honestly, I Really love the people that I work with. I love their products as well So I am a product manager so the products that I manage and the products that they have are, you know, just Great products for the industry. But for me, like really one of the things that made me stay and that makes me love my job is the people, from the beginning, you know, like starting, I was recently graduated and I knew about engineering, but, you know, I'm not doing anything yet in the automation and I knew, okay.

You know, books, but now you have to put the knowledge into real world. And,[00:05:00] so learning all of the pneumatic side and all of the industrial automation, and I learn with Festo and there has not been one person that I had to ask a question that was not helpful. And that's, that's a really great quality for, you know, like that speaks well about the company.

And I think that, like, I remember when I first got hired. I was, my opinion was like, everybody I talked to, I was like, Oh, how long have you been with Festo? Oh, 10 years, five years, 20 years. And I was like, Oh, wow. People stay here forever. And now I know why it really is, you know, it's a family feel it's a company that really, prioritizes you by values you and, and it's, it's a good place to work.

That's awesome. Yeah. well, , you said your dad kind of got you into engineering. Yeah. Um, how did you decide engineering versus other, you know, Yeah, yeah like a scientist I so robotics always was like, oh my god This is so cool I want to build robots and that was like that's what [00:06:00] got me into engineering And like I said, so I started as a mechanical and sorry mechatronics engineering so I like my idea was like i'm gonna build robots and i'm gonna make them like so cool and automate the whole processes for the company for my dad and blah, blah, blah.

I mean, he ended up closing his company before I graduate, unfortunately. Um, but I still, you know, I was going for engineering and yeah, so for me, it was, always like a pull from engineering and back when I graduated, I mean, so I graduated in 2011 and I was the only female of my class and. It wasn't shocking because also when I was in Mexico, they were two of us in mechatronics engineering that year.

So it wasn't like, Oh my God, like there's engineer ladies everywhere. Not really, not at the time. Anyway, now I see it more and more and I'm so happy, you know? Yeah. Now there's like three instead of two. I mean, [00:07:00] well, you know, the question always comes up, like if you're not in an environment like. You know, industrial automation or something.

And then you're like, Oh, like, this is a very male dominated industry. I'm like, yeah, but kind of like my whole career and my whole life has been you know, one to 10. So I noticed that less, but now I'm like, Oh no, like there's more ladies at the stable or whenever I go to like, you know, I visit a customer and then , I'm like, Oh, I go and like, did the signers like, Oh, 

and I'm like, Oh my God. Hi. I like, I always get super excited. And you know, I talk about it too. So I have a couple of nieces. Actually, I have four nieces and all of them. I'm like, what are you going to be when you grow up? You know, we need engineers. Science is cool. And, like all the Christmas toys are always STEM toys.

I try to recruit as many as possible. I felt like the last 10 years for me personally have been like a rocket ship of change because I literally went from being the only female [00:08:00] in a lot of meetings in like 2012, 2013, 2014. And I don't know where like the line was, but all of a sudden now it's like, yeah, I look around me and I'm like, I'm sitting here in an interview with Only Women talking about engineering.

I could not have imagined this being like a thing 10 years ago, like, or that anybody would even tune in and listen to this. So, so, you know, I found this actually, because I would post random things on LinkedIn and like, then I would use the hashtag, like, ladies and engineer ladies and automation or

lady engineer and stuff like that. And then this came up and I was like, Oh my God, there's a podcast. And so that's kind of how I found the automation ladies. And I have been following for a while, but, it's interesting. Like how it. It kind of builds also a bit of a camaraderie like right away It's like oh you go through some struggles as I have Oh, it's always the same struggles that's what we've that's the one thing that I think We've learned, from [00:09:00] all of these episodes is that there are a lot of similar struggles And, uh, it's good.

It's good to talk about them because we're like representation is a thing. I know we're beating a dead horse with that, but like we it is a thing and it and other people that are younger than us look to this and they're like, Oh, okay. So this is like a welcoming environment. And that's what we are trying to do.

 At least with automation ladies, but there's so many people trying to do this. And that's, yeah. What we needed is all of us trying to do this instead of just being as closed off as we have been before and using social media, I mean we use it to hype everything else Why shouldn't we use it to hype this industry because I feel like there's a lot of glory to be had on the shop floor and I think maybe you can talk about some of those stories like can you talk about What it's like to, help your customers, solve some of these problems and like what that means to them and what that means to you.

It's like, it's emotional. Yeah, no, definitely. So, you know, [00:10:00] for me, part of my job is, uh, I don't always interact directly with the customer. I'm kind of like the second level, right? So they interact , with their representatives, like the sales reps and stuff. And then I'm the next person.

person. So I'm always happy when I get to go to customers and like, see what they're doing and how can I help? I remember, you know, , not too long ago, so we have like a product that's very, um, like innovative. It's a valve manifold, but it has, kind of like flexible apps, think like the apps that you put on your phone.

And then you can change it on the go. Right. And so they were having some like trouble with the licenses and downloading it and like commissioning. And then I'm like, okay, I'll sit with you for an hour. We'll figure it out together. Like, there's gotta be something.

And I just sat there and we like, try to figure it out. I'm like, oh my God. I love it when like the light bulb clicks. I'm like, Oh, this is what you have to do and blah, blah, blah. And then we fixed the license problems. And then the next day he wrote me this giant email about the appreciation is [00:11:00] like, no, I was able to run all of my tests and this is awesome.

And thank you so much. And just like looking at what people are doing with the products also, like it's always. Awesome for me to see like, Oh, I wouldn't have thought about that. You know, the applications of things where people are using the products and, then, you know, I love it when I go and see Festo in the wild, that's my favorite.

So if I go to a brewery, yeah. You know, even like, it's everywhere. It's everywhere. It's, I use that phrase a lot too. It's like you spun it in the wild, you're like in the wild, right? Natural habitat . Yeah. So we have a, so I live in New York and there's a brewer nearby and you know, the other day I was like, oh, you know, one of my friends used to work, uh, in the back.

And so I was like, Hey, can I get a tour? Like I'm always. Look for looking for tours and stuff. And how are you doing things? And so I get the tour and then I'm like, Oh my God, you're using Festovels and then I like totally geeked out and I'm like talking [00:12:00] to my friend, I'm like, Oh, look, like they're using my product.

I, I train on this. I do this. I was such a geek. And so he looks at me, he's like, well, I would explain to you what they're doing, but I think, you know, more than I do. I'm like, yeah, you don't have to explain this. I know what they're doing. So it's always fun and, you know, , like I said, I love to spot Festo in the wild or when I'm watching TV and I see like the How It's Made show and I'm like, Oh, oh, I see a little bit of blue.

That's, that's Festo. And, you know, but it is, you know, I'm happy that I see it more and more. So it great. Yeah. Oh, we got some comments here. Yeah. Festo is the best. That seems to be a, uh, yeah, people are happy with Festo. Yeah. I got Courtney across from me and she was saying that their trainers are amazing.

Does it, yeah, Festo didactic does, you know, like, training and workforce development. And yeah. Putting money into the kids. Exactly. That's a great thing that Festo does. So we do have a whole, [00:13:00] separate section. That's the didactic and it trains the workforce. Right? So, like our customers, maybe they get people that are not yet qualified to run some of the equipment and stuff instead of, trying to find the right candidate is like, Hey, Okay.

Take the people you have and train them, right? Like make them the experts. And so we do have a, you know, a whole area that, that does this. And so I'm also part of the, not the didactic, but I'm part of the training team because as a product manager, I do get to train our sales force and.

 Distribution force to just learn about the product, learn what it does, learn the benefits of it. And I really, that's one of the parts of my job that I've really, really enjoy. It's just because I love, connecting with people and I love just that interaction. And honestly, every training I always learn, I think I learn more than they do, you know, because you get everybody from like different experiences, different perspectives, different.[00:14:00]

industries. And somebody that's been doing the same thing for 40 years and somebody that just started and like all their ideas and like, you get them in a room. And like I said, I always walk out and I'm like, I'm pretty sure I learned more than they do. I used to do training for you are And it was like the same story, honestly, I found the most challenging trainings were the ones where you had the most disparate skill sets.

Like you had the expert all the way over here and the absolute never touched a robot in their life over there. And you got to kind of curtail it for everybody, but it's always amazing to start just a basic core training and then have somebody there who knows your product better than you, or starts hurling really challenging questions at you and forces you to kind of.

Learn something you thought you already knew, but what would you say was the most challenging thing? Like training is an enjoyable experience, but there's things that are challenging about it. And I'm curious what you think is the most challenging thing about giving somebody a good training. So challenges for [00:15:00] training, uh, usually is.

For me, making sure that the participants are getting something out of the training, but not just something, but getting what they need to get out of the training. So, for me, you know, like, you mentioned, you always have audiences that are very there, like, different. It's never like people in the same level or with the same experience and.

So usually, like, when I started training, I kind of, write a couple of things down. I'm like, tell me what you want to like, what you're looking for in this training. And then, I'll try to tail, make sure that I hit those points. So for me, that's one of the challenges. But also, when you have people, like, just people, everybody's different, right?

So some people are learners are more visual. Some people are more auditory, right? And so, kind of having to hit all of the different styles and making sure that I keep them engaged and. The most important thing for me is that people participate. So I don't want to just sit here and talk to your face.

That's, that's the worst training I could [00:16:00] get. Yeah, exactly. And I tell people, I'm like, listen, if you don't want to be here, you don't have to be here. I know that your employer is making you do this or like, you know, whether there's a distribution team or like a specimen, but I can make this fun.

So like, give me a chance. And I promise you, you're going to be. Engage and entertain. And so, I always encourage participation, which is one of the things that, you know, with, virtual trainings, it's very difficult finding ways to, engage so after 2020, we kind of, shifted to a lot of our trainings, being virtual and that was a really big challenge.

So, like. Having to keep people engaged and sometimes our trainings are long. We have a lot of products and then we have to tell you a lot of things about these products, right? To learn. And so, , who wants to sit on, like, hear me talk about it for hours and hours? Believe me, I don't want to do it in front of a screen as much as you don't want to listen to it.

Right? And so. That's one of the big [00:17:00] challenges. I think it's like with training, if it's like making sure that people are engaged are participating and then that they get something out of it because I do want to like I usually like at the end of my trainings, like something that I always do is like, Hey, if you like I asked people, what did you learn?

Like, give me three things that you. You're walking out of here and I am always making everybody participate. I'm like, all right, I don't care. Like, if you're taking a nap, like it's time for you to wake up now, tell me, what did you learn? You know what I mean? It's just making sure that everybody's on the same page and that they're getting something out of it.

That's the best. That's the biggest challenge. You don't give them like a test or anything to prove out there. Cause that's actually kind of like, it's not the worst thing. It's not the worst thing. Cause then you can prove that they, you know, they said it's fine and they didn't actually get it.

And I think people do that a lot. And especially like if , they don't want to be ashamed, you know, and it's like this. We could just so easily teach you if you just tell us [00:18:00] you didn't get it. So please stop lying about that because it actually just hurts you. And you literally, we could just tell you the answer.

We're like moments away. Your pride is keeping you from getting the actual answer. And it is something that you can understand. We can break it down for you. So trust your trainer. enough to tell them that you didn't get it. You're not going to hurt their feelings. That's what they're there for.

You're absolutely right. I'm actually a big fan of exercises because I personally get test taking anxiety and have imposter syndrome and all the nine yards. So I'll sit down in front of a, before I've even sat in front of a test, my God, I hope I pass it, even though I know everything, but exercises like when you put a robot in front of me and say, Hey, make the robot do the thing that I just taught you.

I can do that. I'm just curious if it's more of a, like, have an exercise based kind of, or like application based training, or is it more of a lecture type of actually, that's a really good point. I usually so, like, at the end, I have a [00:19:00] couple of slides that I have with, blank spaces and 

I'm like, all right, everybody tell me three things that you remember about this product. And then I kind of fill it out. So I do do that. We used to do, I got to put it back together, but it was a lot of work, but we used to do like a family feud game where we did that, but in a fun way, you know, we just set up people and we said, okay, like you are on this team, you're on this team.

And then like, now you guys like, what is a valve terminal? And then you get the questions and the answers. So that was Another way of making sure that people retain it and bring it back. But, you know, it's, it also kind of like, you know, makes you like, Oh, we're playing a game. I'm like, yeah, we're playing a game.

 Do you rather me giving you a written test? So I was like, Catherine here, you taught her what a valve terminal was six years ago. I did. Catherine was a very good trainee. Uh, yes. When she joined Festo and, we were doing this, you know, this really big, training program. And so she was one [00:20:00] of , the last few people that like experience, all of it at once poor Catherine, she had to be there, away from home for like weeks at a time, just doing the training, but yeah, I did taught Catherine.

You know what I like about that is when you go, like we were saying earlier, you go from having no other females in the room to, hey, the person, the instructor is a female. That's really cool. And six years later, she still remembers that she learned that from you. That's great. Yeah, that's really cool.

Yeah, I, I agree. So, in the training group, just because of at the moment, we have very few, women in the training group, but just because it kind of, goes related with, like, who owns the product, and right now in our product. Market management group. I am the only woman in the group.

So there's other women in other roles, but in the product market management team, I'm the one. So always, I find [00:21:00] that's right. So I want to ask you, cause you're talking about loving, seeing like unique applications and things, or just walking in and be like, Oh, I see my product. And, I'm always entertained when I remember to ask this question of a guest, What is the craziest application you've ever seen done with your products or the most unexpected?

Like you walked in and you were like, what are you doing with this thing? They were rolling pre or pre rolling joints. For, that was very unexpected. It was, the machine was all Festo, like, it was a beautiful Festo machine. I wish I just became an even bigger Festo. So it was very unexpected, you know, and I think, so I think this was in Canada.

It was a customer in Canada. And so it was still like. It was a few years ago, so it was still like this whole debate is like, where is it legal? Where is it? Not, you know, like, [00:22:00] and then I get this application and so the 1 thing that they wanted to make sure is because apparently, so, like, the dust from the weed.

Gets like, uh, everywhere. And then it kind of makes into this grease, like the CBD oil, right? Like you're getting that oil. And so it could corrode and it could ruin things. So you have kind of like food grade type of products that are stainless steel that are resistant and like stuff like that.

So that was a really interesting application. Yeah, it's definitely on the top 10 most interesting applications , that I have seen. That's a good one. With Festo. Yeah. Well, you know, it's an industry that needs to automate and it's still kind of in murky waters in a lot of cases as far as who will perform service for them or who will sell product to them.

And, it's still like. The way you because I got to do a couple of projects and cannabis and I won't talk too much about like what they were, but you still handle it the way you would any other project. You know, you refer to it as [00:23:00] product when you're talking about it. Although I will admit I had an eyebrow raise at 1 point because they stated that they were processing, like, the machine they were using was processing, like, 20 kilos an hour.

And I had the thought, like, how much do you have in this building right now? I was in a company the same thing and they were like, Oh yeah, we got like these pallets. I was like. Where are you storing it? Where are you keeping all of that? Yeah, it's just, uh, an interesting, but I mean, that's an industry that I think we're going to see, you know, growing right now.

And I think integrators and automation folks need to kind of consider taking on those jobs. Yes. Which ones wear out Festos the fastest? I want to know that too. Which applications wear out Festos corrosive ones or? Yeah. I mean, yes. Explosive applications. Explosive application, so we do have some explosive proof or not explosive proof, but explosive rated products, but I would say, applications that are exposed to the elements.

So, UV is pretty, like, even [00:24:00] with, coatings and things like that, UV is pretty hard to just kind of like. Keep against, right? So anything that's exposed is one of the applications that I'd say, like, the products do where I'm fastest. We have pretty good, reliable products for anything. That's like corrosive to a point.

You know, we have a lot of stainless steel products, special greases for, like. High temperatures or, you know, so typically also I will say like low temperatures, like extremely low temperatures can be detrimental to the products because you have the gaskets, right? So the gaskets will become like frozen and rigid.

And so, yeah, exactly. So they start breaking. So that's why, you have to kind of have the right temperature with the right grease and then it works. But if it, if you don't, then it will wear out the product faster. Do you recommend they put heaters in those panels? Like, if you got if there's a recommendation for anything with that kind of yeah.

So, if there isn't [00:25:00] a panel, it would be there would sorry. Typically it would be temperature control. Uh, so, if you can do that, when it's, like, extremely cold, you would have, a little panel where you're trying to keep the temperature a little bit above the environment. But if you can, then you just know that you're going to have to use product more often.

And, I don't want to change subjects so abruptly, but I noticed that you cared enough to put in your profile that you are a Harry Potter nerd. I am and I just want to know which house, which house represent, uh, someone asked me if I was Slytherin and I was offended, asked me to, and I was like, no, I guess sometimes I do act like it, but no, I'm more of a Gryffindor.

But you know, like when you took the test and is like, you just made it to Gryffindor, like one question, it was like, kind of like Harry, where you're like, please put me in Gryffindor. And I ended [00:26:00] up here. It was like the one question I'm like, I know if I answer this. I probably be as Lutheran. So I'm going to go here.

So yeah, so I'm a, I'm a Gryffindor. We were talking about, we have like an all hands meeting with my company and we did one of those quizzes, you know, for social types and. Everybody kind of landed like in the same quadrant and I was like, it doesn't, I mean, one, we are kind of like minded individuals, so it's not that far fetched.

But I also like to what you were saying, wonder how much people are, you know, answering questions so that they land in a certain category, you know what I mean? Like, trying to predictively answer the questions that will get you where you want to go. Yeah. And I'm, you know, that type of thing. Thank you.

I'm wondering how, has anybody used one and properly identified themselves answering everything? Honestly, so I wasn't, I think it was one. It wasn't the Potter more. It was like an unofficial one that, like, I [00:27:00] don't remember which company it was, but like, they did like a social thing and it gave you like, okay, you're like.

30 percent Gryffindor, like 40 percent like they kind of like quadrants. So like, I don't know if you've ever, so like we do this for, um, you know, sometimes like the personality test and they tell you like, okay, you're like an introvert or like, you're like a campaigner or whatever. And like, they give you like your percentages.

Right. So it was like that. So I remember that I did end up with like, A high Gryffindor and then like Slytherin and Ravenclaw were tied and then it was like very little hufflepuff. It was like barely even showed up. I'm like, okay, well, yeah, that's what I expected. So, but I see Jason is saying there's nothing wrong with Slytherin.

There's nothing wrong with Slytherin. There's nothing wrong with any Harry Potter house. Let's make that clear. If you're in a Harry Potter house, we like you. I was never in one. Yeah, let's not alienate any people. Yes, we like all houses. My bad. [00:28:00] We like all houses here. That is funny. But it's interesting, you know, like you, so I have a tattoo that is a Deathly Hallows tattoo and sometimes I forget I have this and so I'll be going in life And then like, people start talking to me about Harry Potter.

And I'm like, how did they know I like Harry Potter? Or like before I had the tattoo, I would wear a necklace that was like the Deathly Hallows. And it's a very interesting like way that I was in Germany at Oktoberfest. And I had some people come and talk to us and then ask me about Harry Potter and then I'm like, Oh my God, I like, so it connects people in a way.

 It's such an interesting phenomenon. It really is. Um, well, we're forming tribes. Like Star Wars and Star Trek. I love Star Wars. I, I've never really gotten into Star Trek, but I do love Star Wars. So , it's, it should be no surprise to anybody on the call that I am a big nerd. Uh, and, [00:29:00] uh, so yeah, so I love Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, uh, Star Wars, uh, all of that.

I'm, yeah. All the nerdy stuff. I just like Baby Yoda. I like that trend. I don't know where that came from. Oh my God. He was so cute. Uh, The Mandalorian. The Mandalorian. Yep. The baby Yoda guy, I stopped watching it, but I need to catch back up because apparently he has a name and everything and I'm really far.

Yes. His name is. Yeah, I am a nerd guys. I told you. Thank you. I know. I've seen that somewhere before. I was like, oh, he has a name. I need to go back and watch. Because I'm, I'm pretty far. I'm pretty far behind. And don't worry, for anybody that knows me, like, you can't spoil anything for me.

Some people go, Oh, spoiler alert. I'm like, it's fine. I'm going to watch it anyway. Yeah, I usually wait to watch things when it's like, everything is out. I'm not like, the wait and then like, Oh my God, now you spoiled for me. So I usually like, already know what's going to happen because I waited [00:30:00] anyway.

So yeah. I'm the same. Have you ever had. Like, have you ever been wearing, you know, Festo garb or something and had somebody nerd out about automation or Festo to you and run up and be like, Oh, you wear the Festo, I use your valves, like the same way we do the other way, if we see that you have it, we're like, Oh, you're using my products, but does anybody ever come to you and be like, Oh, I love your product, you know, I think.

 Once I was at an airport somewhere and I saw another person wearing Festo and then I looked and I'm like, I don't know this person. And then they looked at me and they're like, Oh, I love your products. And then I was like, Oh, okay. So like, this was like a gift from like their sales rep to their shirt.

And I was like, thinking , no, he's like, Oh, thanks though. And I was like, Yeah, but I'm like, do we know each other? She's like, Oh, I love your products, man. Like I'm in Michigan and like, blah, blah, blah. And I was like, Oh, okay. I was like, my distributor, they're the best. I was like, Oh, cool. But yeah, so that was the only one time.

And I was at an [00:31:00] airport in like Chicago or something. And so like, you know, we do have an office in Chicago, so it wouldn't be like very outside of the world that I would meet a person, a festive person that I haven't met before. But I was still a little confused. I'm like, usually I'm like. You know, I remember people.

I had seen somebody I, I did this myself. I'm trying to remember what it was. I think it was like a moxa shirt or something. It was like a, you know, it was definitely a brand, but like, somebody just at my kids preschool picking their kid up and I'm like, oh, I know that. Are you an automation? I want to talk about automation.

We're so desperate for human connection. I'm good. I'm not on the clock. Thank you. That's so funny. You know, I have everything Festo branded. And so I do wear like Festo shirts, Festo hats, Festo things quite a bit. And the other day, I went to the gym and I was wearing, cause like, we did a couple of five Ks.

So like a team building. And so we had like, five Ks. Festo t shirts and they were really cool. I really [00:32:00] love them because it said like Festo and then it was like running on air and it was like a cool thing, you know, cause we do run on air kind of. And so, somebody was asking me, they're like, Oh, like, is this like a brand?

Cause like, I just like showed up with like my different Festo shirts and they're like. Have I not heard about this? I'm like, I don't know. I just, cause I also had my water bottle said Festo. Yeah, I had like my water bottle said Festo. My shirt said Festo. Then like the next time I showed up. And so they're like, uh, I'm like, I don't know.

That's a new fitness gear. I walking billboard? It's like, is this the new Little Lemon? I'm like, no, I'm just a walking billboard. Pretty much. Although the nice thing about our industry, like if you attend trade shows regularly or you work for a company that's really big on apparel, like about eight years ago, I just stopped buying anything but pants because I just get a lot of shirts and polos, sometimes even socks, you know, I'm like, why would I buy any of this stuff?

I'm just gonna wear all my free shirts. [00:33:00] Yeah, you know, I was at Hanover fair last year, um, and it was really cool. And, , so my sister loves wearing ball caps, like hats. Um, I do not really wear hats because with my glasses, it like pushes them down. So it's just never comfortable. Uh, so I.

Like I was going around and then every vendor that had a hat, I would go to my, can I have a hat? Can I have a hat? Cause like everywhere I travel, I usually buy a hat for my sister. So then this time I'm like, well, I didn't have to buy a hat. I just got you all of those different hats. I'm like, they're from vendors, but who cares?

You got hats now. It's like, but they were really nice. You know, they have some really nice cool stuff. So. Yeah, that is a, uh, that's a bucket list item to go to Hanover mess. You need to talk a little bit more about how that was. And like, have you had to correspond with Germany, like Festo Germany for, to do anything like new product wise?

Yeah. So I kind of went, as a guest, I wasn't presenting or anything. So. [00:34:00] But I did have to coordinate with that, though, because we do have the booth and, you can only go, like, if you're not working the booth, you shouldn't go at certain times when it's, really busy because people are like, you know, then it gets really crowded, but it was awesome.

Um, I got to go last year because I was preparing for the launch of one of our newest products that just came out and, it's a new valve terminal. It's called the VTUX and we're, you know, it's going to be the next flagship product for Festo. And so I got to go and just kind of, look a lot, just.

Participated as an audience member to learn, but also to, bring that knowledge back to North America because I do. So my role is Mexico, US and Canada. So I do that for all three countries. And so it was just, oh my God, so cool. And I only was able to go for a day cause I had other things that I had to do.

Uh, but. Even like I so I was going I think I remember I looked at my steps that day and I had walked like 24, [00:35:00] 000 steps just in the fair because I was just Going to see like everything and there was so many robots. I got a cup of coffee made by a robot I got like a picture with some of the igus robots and then we also got to go see they have like kuka had a huge booth and an abb and they had like An application that you don't really get to see, even if you go to the factories, you don't really get to see these applications.

Cause they're like so big, but also like, so tucked in and like with the safety stuff and they had it there and I'm like, Oh my God, like the booth was giant and then they had this thing and the best part is that they had the Festo valve manifolds, not the new one, but they had the VTSs in there and I was just.

Once again, just like nerding out, I'm like taking videos and pictures that everything that had my product and I'm like, look, they do all of this with the Festo stuff. So, but, you know, obviously, like in Hanover, uh, Festo is really big and cause they, um, I found out that they [00:36:00] were one of the founders of the fair, actually.

Nice. Uh, so that's why we always have a big presence because they were 1st ones to be in the fair. So, uh, yeah, so this year I, I don't get to go unfortunately, but it's, it's going to be awesome. Very cool. Yeah, did you see any 3 story booths? I've heard rumors. There's 3 story 2 story. I don't know if I saw a 3 story.

Yeah, we had a 2 story. Oh, they have, like, guards. Yeah. Oh, yeah. So, like, we have, like. We're missing out the secret stuff on the top, right? So like we leave, we leave the, um, like the, the open booth is for everything that's current, but anything that's coming up or that we have like concepts, innovation, stuff like that.

Then we have guards and then you have to. Be walked up, like, you can't just go on your own and then like my phone, like, we can't have a phone in there. So like, cause you know, the, the nice secret stuff. So [00:37:00] like you go up there and yeah, I did, you know, I didn't meet, uh, the founder of Festo just by total random.

He happened to be there at the time, which was really cool to be there. And like a couple other colleagues that were there. Uh, and so, like, we, we chatted, unfortunately, I missed the picture by a second. So, like, if you look at their picture, I, I, I'm in the background before I turned around and, like, came to talk to them.

I was like, oh, man, I wish I wasn't in the picture. It's like, that's me. Look, I met him. Um, but no, that was, that was really cool. Uh, I also, so, like, Festo celebrated their 50th anniversary of, um, Being in the United States last year. So we had a big party, uh, in the city in New York city, and we had the founder come up and we had, well, it wasn't the, it was the founder's son, but, uh, still, um, so we had them come up and it was, it was really cool.

[00:38:00] Uh, you know, we had the, I'm sure you've seen the, like the air penguin and the butterfly. So we had like a couple of the bionics just like flying around. It was pretty cool. Oh, wow. No, I haven't I've seen the videos for that. I haven't seen those in person. I would like to I've now this is my second time.

So the first time I went to a show in washington dc And it was like, um It was like a show for It wasn't like a trade show. It was more like a show for science and and like just getting um, like kids interested in science, but also like Kids. Yeah, it was it was I don't know how to call it, but it was We were there and we had the bionics and then like, so we had this giant tank with the jellyfish and they are so cool.

When you look at the jellyfish and how they're like autonomous and in the movement of the jellyfish and they go, you know, based on the pressure. So they have [00:39:00] sensors everywhere. So like, you just put it in the water and then it like. Kind of like floats down. And then when it senses that the pressure's at the bottom, it like floats all the way up.

And then it kind of like comes all the way down. It's so cool to look and, and, you know, it's like clear and it has like blue lights. So like you have the tank and it's like illuminated. It looks really cool. And then we had the butterflies, which were a hit. So like we had a lot of people in that booth.

Cause everybody wanted to come and like check out the, the bionics. And that's one of the really cool things about Festop. Is that so we use nature for learning. So like the bionics is not products that we make, but it's, we study nature with the bionics to then come up with products. So, like, we did 1 year, I think are.

Um, so there's a division of festival called bionics and so their, bionic of the year was an elephant trunk. And so, like, with that, they have, a flexible gripper come out of that. And so, like. Is that [00:40:00] the gecko gripper one that like that's not the gecko gripper. So that's called the fin gripper, but the gecko gripper is cool.

It's just like, kind of like, yeah, wraps around things. Um, that's so I guess, that's based on a different one. Sorry. No, no, but, but it's the same thing, right? Like, it's, it's based on, um, on nature and based on, because, you know, Nobody knows best than nature. And so, like, we really, like, use that to, to study and to come up with products for the future.

Actually, I'm glad that you mentioned that because I was aware of that, but, like. Not aware of that products and it's like, oh, it mimics this or mimics that. But really, it's like, no, we're studying nature because nature does it well. Yeah. Like hummingbirds are amazing. Yeah, every, every year they have something.

Um, and so I think it's every year they, they come out with a new one. Um, and [00:41:00] like, you know, we have a couple birds. We have, uh, an air penguin. We have a water penguin. We have the jellyfishes. The jellyfish jellyfish. I don't know. Jellyfish. I don't know. I guess fish fish is plural singular. Uh, math is my strong engineer subject.

Yes, I'm an engineer. Don't ask me about words. Um, yeah, so, I'm trying to think we, we did come out with a couple of parts. So, one of them was like, the couple grippers came out from bionics and then. Also, like the, with the elephant trunk, we had a thing that like, just, had a special movement.

So it, like, moved in, like, I don't know, four or five different dimensions and like, just with air. So everything is controlled or a lot of it is controlled with air. Um. Yeah, I see that Michelle saying that our bionic zoo is fantastic. So, um, I, yeah, I always call it as well. Our bionic zoo, I'm like, yeah, [00:42:00] we have so many bionics.

It's like our bionic zoo. So is there, is there an actual zoo? I can go. No, no, unfortunately not someone should make up some kind of new for this. Just take note. Yeah, we'll have a theme park where all the animals will be a zoo. I think one year they had him, uh, they had the butterflies at Jimmy Fallon. Uh, was it Jimmy?

And you got to look this up. There's this video. It's funny video because he had the butterflies and then they told him, like, just let it go. And , he let it go. And I was just like, onto the ground, like a paper plane. He's like, oh, my God, did I just break this? It was a nice, funny blooper because he really thought that he broke it, but like, he didn't, it was funny.

It was good. But yeah, because we had, um, so you got to like, it's a product is what you're telling me. It was very robust. I mean, but when you. When I saw the butterflies, I didn't really know what to expect and that they are really like thin, [00:43:00] like, because they have to be really lightweight to fly. Right.

And so it was, yeah, I'm surprised it didn't break because he was just like, chucked it down. So, yeah. That's actually my first question now for automation equipment is, but what will happen if I crash a forklift into it?

Driving forklifts, that's the question that I get. And I'm like, how about we learn how to drive a forklift? Yeah, 2 years ago, put a fork into some drywall. So I can't even say anything. Yeah, a year and a half ago, I dropped my demo. You are 5e on the ground from a table. No, but I picked it back up in front of everybody and it still ran.

It's still good. It's exactly good robust products. Yeah, that's actually a great way to demonstrate. It is picked up and dropped. You want to see how durable this is? Let me. Throw it [00:44:00] off the table so you can see. But yeah, no, I mean, uh, I guess we do have forklifts running around the factory. So. It can't happen.

Where, where in Mexico are you from or your family? So I am from, I was born in a small city. It's called Torre. Um, it's not really known by many people, but most people know Monterrey, especially now that like, it's getting more and more like companies investing in Monterrey. So I'm about three hours Southwest of Monterrey.

And, I grew up there. I was there until I was 22. And then I moved to the U S. Um, just to, you know, first there was just a year I was going to be an au pair for a year. And then I decided to finish my engineering school, and then I stayed forever now. So. But I mean, for me, because I was just asking Allie that, like, 10 minutes before your interview, I'm like, I don't even know how to say out [00:45:00] there.

I know what, like, I kind of, I know what one is, but can you talk about that a little bit? Because I know it's an interesting experience for people getting to kind of come and experience in the country. Awesome experience. So I know pair, it's. Kind of like a live in helper. Um, so they come in and help with your children.

So, uh, for example, when I came in, my family had two kids. And so you are, uh, so like you come in with a special visa and then you have to take care of the kids and then you have to work a certain amount of hours. You have to have a certain amount of time off, you know, like a. Because it is, uh, a legal thing and, , everything and then, um, you, but you also have to study.

So you have to take, at least 1 class of higher education each semester. And so that's when I took German, uh, so I was here and then I was like, well, I don't know what to do. And my college happened to have German. So I was like, I'll take. German. So I took a [00:46:00] year of German and then I really liked it.

And then I kind of like continue it. But also because all of my au pair friends were German. And so I lived in Maine when I first moved here and where, like where we were, it was like, probably like 20 Germans, one girl from Columbia and me. And so it was, yeah. So then like we wouldn't hang out.

And then sometimes they'd forget that they were not with other Germans. So they would just like start speaking German. And I was like, Okay. Um, so then when I started learning, I'd be like, Ooh, I know that word. Like I couldn't put a sentence together, but I would understand like random words. So that was fun.

But yeah, no, being an au pair was a really good, really cool experience. I really loved it. Uh, for me, I got really lucky. I got an amazing family and so I still keep in touch with. The family and the kids, the kids are not kids anymore. They're adults now. They're like, I don't know, in their twenties, but you know, they still happy birthday messages and, it's still fun.

And, [00:47:00] uh, yeah. So like you spend most of your day with the kids and then you, uh, like you help you bring them to school or if they're young, you, you take care of them. And then. Um, and then you live in their in their in their family home, uh, as part of the family. So they, they feed you, they, they give you everything room and board.

You're there. And then typically, it lasts a year. You can have also, I think there's also a 6 month program and then you can extend it, uh, 6 months or a year. And so I did that for 2 years and. Uh, so I was, I was one year in Maine and then the family was moving to Washington DC. So they asked me if I would stay for another year so the kids wouldn't have so much change in their life.

Right. Cause they're already like moving to a new school, to a new city, to everything. And they're like, will you stay? And I'm like, yeah. I'll stay and so I did and then that's where that's why I finished school in the University of Washington D. C. because that's where I was living at the time. So yeah, so I was going to [00:48:00] go back home and then I said, well, you know, I have to finish school anyway, whether it's here or there.

And so. I decided, if I go to a school in the United States, I will have proven that I speak English. So when I go back to Mexico, I can get a better job because I am fully bilingual. Right. So that was kind of like my shtick, but it worked out differently. And I stayed here and then, you know, because I had a STEM degree.

 I could get a 1 year work permit. So, like, after school, most people, you can do with some degrees, you can do, like an internship and that counts towards your year of work. But I waited to not do anything until after school. And so for them degrees, if you have a STEM degree on a visa, you get to apply for a special, uh, STEM work permit.

And so. Yeah, it worked out for me and I just I worked and then I kind of like. Worked and founded something else and something else and yeah, stayed here forever now or forever [00:49:00] until now we have plans and the universe has other plans. Exactly. Yes. I, I, I always think, like, for me, it's so funny because I never thought I would stay here.

My whole family is still in Mexico. So, you know, my mom, my sisters, my brothers, they're all there. And, so I get to go. I go quite often, so I go at least twice a year. Well, not quite often, but I go at least twice a year, you know, like, see the family eat the food. Uh, most of my mom's cooking is like, people are like, oh, what's a good Mexican food?

I'm like, my mom's food. I'm like, my mom . I'm like, how long is, it's actually not that bad. Probably so it has to be a connection, whether it's Mexico City or Dallas. So it's about 6 hours total 7 hours with a layover. No, no, it's not bad. So you get to go and you get to still see the family and then, um, you know, so.

We also have [00:50:00] Festo in Mexico. And so sometimes like I'll go to Mexico for customer visits or to work. And then, I'll sneak in a home visit here and there. Why not? I'm already, you know, halfway there. But, we also used to have a Festo in my hometown that I never knew. And, so like one time my sister was like driving around and she saw the office and then she like took a picture and text me, she's like.

You can come work here. You don't have to work in New York. I'm like, yeah, so. Yeah, so now that we're going to have another company, so we are opening a Festo in Monterrey, a new plant where we're going to have more, you know, manufacturing and stuff. So that's going to be, um, that's going to be great.

And then, uh, you know, maybe I can sneak in and then it's only a 3 hour home, 3 hour drive home. So not that bad. Yeah, it's a three hour drive home is reasonable. Yeah. Sorry I'm, sorry. I was gonna say nikki actually went to uh, like at least for I don't know How long if it was a year I think it was a [00:51:00] year but the the instituto technologico de monterey That's when I went to school Oh, shit.

Okay. Okay. That's basically the MIT of Mexico. That is the MIT of Mexico, yeah. So I started there, but then when I moved, I had to find a college here. But yeah, that's where I did the first two years of my engineering degree. Nice. Yeah, it's a really good school. Yeah. No, my mom did architecture. So my mom is from Leon, Guanajuato, where they make all the shoes.

Yes. Oh, my God. I have some of those shoes. Um, but yeah, like handmade leather boots are, um, unbelievable. Yeah, they're like, not pricey at all. No, not relative. Not relative down there. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yes. They're leather the last year forever. So, like, when you think about it, it's like, you know, it's a, it's an investment.

Yeah. Yeah. And once everyone keeps talking about the food in Mexico, which, [00:52:00] uh, yeah. Yeah. And or your mother's food is always the best food, especially if you have a Mexican mom, like I can vouch for that, right? Nothing tastes better than my mom making me breakfast. Like, yeah, I was doing this job in Tijuana that had a place across the street from where I was working.

That was like, it was like this little tin hut that I would normally say, like, I probably shouldn't buy food from there. But they have the most amazing burritos and every time like that customer was like, Hey, I've got an issue. I was like, I'm coming.

I think you could fix it on the phone. I'm like, no, it's two hours. I gotta make sure that I fix it. Right. I gotta make sure I see it. I need my noodle and pozole. Oh, my God. Yeah. Especially now in the winter. It's like, yes. Imagine if I want to drive to TJ in California, it's like a two and a half hour drive [00:53:00] for me.

I was just going to ask you how far is it? Good enough that I have considered digging my passport. Out of my glove box and shooting across the boarder by a quick burrito trip for that burrito. So there's a Parker, there's a Parker Hannafin, in California. That's like in San Diego, like very South, but like, if you come out of the facility, if I threw a rock hard enough, it could land in Mexico.

And anytime I was anywhere near that facility for any reason, I would have those burritos on my mind. Because my, if it weren't for the line. You know, to get across the border being as long as you can. If it weren't for the border. Yeah, but look at that border crossing. Well, because the line where I cross the Bowtie Mesa and the line is just always crazy long.

Yeah. Except during the pandemic. It was really easy to cross during the pandemic. Yeah, it was really easy to travel during the pandemic. If you were brave enough. I, I think I was one of the few people that flew around that time. So I was like flying for [00:54:00] half empty plane. It felt awesome. It was like, I have a private plane.

Literally one private airports too. If they were small enough airports. Yeah, you're right. One time I like, I didn't have the pre check printed on my Path on my boarding pass. So I went to the counter and then I was like, hey, like the precheck didn't show up. And then like the guy looked at me. He's like, honey, it's you only you at the airport.

I'm like, yeah But I want to take off my shoes and take out my laptop i'm like Can I just like have the precheck printed but he looked at me like you're not gonna save any time i'm like Yeah, but I don't want to take off. I just don't want to take out my laptop. I know it's like it's too much work. Can I just like vomit, please?

And yeah, but like the plane one time I did fly and it was like Me and another passenger in, like, four flight attendants. I'm like, cool. This is awesome. That's like your own private jet, basically. Yeah. Like, thank you. I'll have, uh, yeah. [00:55:00] Yeah, no, it was interesting, but yeah, so you are very close to the border then.

And where are you, Ali? I'm on the other side, so I'm really close to the border of Canada. If there's some food I can go check out up there, I do still have a passport. I hear poutine is great. Yeah, cheese curds and gravy. What can go wrong with cheese curds? Anything with cheese curds is exactly what I want in my life.

I love cheese, so yes. I'm actually, I'm going to Texas, uh, next week and obviously like Texas barbecue is one of like, you know. The famous barbecues. Um, well everyone, some people say that and then that there's a bunch of people who are just like, no, it's Kansas City or it's Memphis barbecue or it's the Carolina barbecue.

I really like the spiciness of Memphis, but that's because I'm Mexican and I just want to eat [00:56:00]jalapenos and everything. But yeah, That doesn't mean that I'm not going to enjoy really good, barbecue because it's really good. But, yeah, it's really funny how people get all defensive about stuff like barbecue.

Barbecue, their football teams, what else do people just like can't? Oh, you want to have a fun one? Because I'm not included in this group, but tell another Californian that In N Out isn't that good. Just watch their face. Watch their face explode.

They're geniuses. If they can have one thing on their menu, it's like, Oh yeah, you can add a patty. Like it's one thing. And like milkshakes,, and everyone lines up for. Like an hour they're like this is worth it. This is where every day. I'll just wait in this like ridiculous line And a lot of people Have you tried the burger?

There's a reason people are waiting in that line Like it's not just because they can't go to taco bell Like there's a reason that they sit in that long ass line for [00:57:00] one like Yeah, one burger. What are you gonna have? Are you gonna have burger or the burger with two patties?

There's like a whole everything is secret. Yeah, exactly. I think it's that good. hamburger, but then I make the other side freak out because I'm like, what a burger isn't that good either. And then people are Oh, I don't like what we're getting towards the end of our show and at the end of our show, we normally ask our guests, how can we contact you and how can other people come find you?

I actually asked someone that recently and they were like, don't. And I thought that was really funny. So it's actually not necessarily that you have to like correspond with people after the show. But if people, if you're open to it. If you're open to it, I'll give people a reach out to you. That's awesome.

So I am on [00:58:00] LinkedIn. So I'm on LinkedIn. So I am Daniella Gonzalez Ogre. So you can find me there. Uh, that's like my direct link. But also my email at Festo is Daniella. Gonzalez at Festo. com. So if anybody wants to contact me and chat a little bit about valves or about Harry Potter or anything else, I'm game.

Yes. Both. Yeah, of course. Both. I'm always game. So, yeah, no. But yeah, I'm on LinkedIn. So you find me there. I'm Gonzalez Olegren there. And, , yeah, thank you for having me. This was a lot of fun. Yeah, this was really good. This was a great conversation. We didn't do that bad without Nikki. Like, we did okay.

Like, she'll be proud of you. Yeah, I think she'll be proud. We got into Harry Potter and barbecue. Um, it was okay. It was great. And bionic zoos. So, I mean, thanks everyone. That's great. All right. Thank you.