Elias Cardenas
I was born in Tijuana, Baja California, on September 16, 1993, as the youngest of three siblings. When I was 15, my father passed away, which pushed me to become independent at an early age. I’ve spent almost my entire life in Tecate, Baja California, and have been happily married to my wife, Sandibelle Avilés, for 11 years. Together, we take care of her parents, who live with us, and this has brought us even closer as a family.
Since I was 19, I’ve had a deep passion for wine culture. Over the years, this passion has led me to share my knowledge with others in my community. I’ve been offering free courses to local restaurant staff—waiters, head waiters, and others—because I believe that improving customer service is the first step toward boosting tourism in our state. When tourists visit, the first impression they get often comes from the people they interact with in restaurants and other service-oriented businesses. That’s why I’ve dedicated myself to helping those who work in the industry to improve their skills and knowledge, particularly about wine, which is a big part of our local culture.
I’ve had the opportunity to work in several areas, including operations management, sales, and customer service, and each experience has taught me valuable lessons. Whether I’m leading teams, streamlining processes, or working directly with customers, I’ve always taken pride in being deeply involved in my work. I enjoy seeing things through from start to finish, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and that goals are met or exceeded. It’s this hands-on approach that has allowed me to make meaningful contributions in every role I’ve held.
I’m now at a point in my life where I’m eager to seek opportunities beyond Mexico. I believe that stepping into a new environment, particularly in a different country, will offer me fresh perspectives and invaluable experiences that can enrich both my personal and professional life. The chance to live and work abroad excites me because it represents an opportunity to immerse myself in a different culture, learn new ways of doing things, and bring those insights back to everything I do. I’m confident that this journey will help me grow in ways I haven’t yet imagined, both as an individual and as a professional.