He dreamed of designing, producing and unleashing his own project that would allow him to make a living from what he is passionate about. What I didn't know was that carrying out that desire was going to be harder than I imagined.
Gianluca José Martuccio is 25 years old and is an Argentinian from the Province of Buenos Aires. After his father fired him from his job, he ended up developing a business that allowed him to fulfill his dreams.
"When you look around you, you realize that the material is not the most important thing, but the affections and the family," says Gianluca in an interview with Clarín.
Unthinkable news
The protagonist of this story was born in the town of González Catán, in the western part of Greater Buenos Aires. In 2016, he finished his secondary studies at the "Fangio Foundation School of Technical Education", better known as "The Mercedes Benz School", with the baccalaureate of Electromechanical Technician.
After a while, he got his first job as a food delivery driver with the goal of paying for a trip with friends to Bariloche. When she returned, she got a job in customer service, but it wasn't her thing, according to her words.
Following this, in 2019, he became the new employee of the family business. Gianluca's father, who has businesses in the gastronomic sector, hired him to take care of logistics and the distribution of merchandise in the premises.
Gianluca with his mother in the workshop. Photo: @longgies.arg, Instagram.
At the time, the father's business had suggested doing a promotion so that customers could access a free engraved plate. Therefore, they bought a laser cutting machine to carry out the plan in an artisanal way. That artifact awakened in the young Argentinian the desire to create something of his own.
"I searched the internet for what I could create with this device and found acrylic pieces that I found fascinating. I realized that I had the possibility of creating a product that is innovative and successful in our country," says Gianluca.
In one of those coincidences, he came across a skateboard on the web that attracted him a lot andhe decided to start his own venture in the touring board sector. "I found that I needed a device that would let me cut up to 20 millimeters of acrylic with a computerized numerical control," says the entrepreneur.
The young entrepreneur with one of his most outstanding pieces. Photo: @longgies.arg, Instagram.
For this reason, it required a "CNC Router", a machine capable of cutting in an automated way. According to his calculations, he had to work a whole year to be able to afford it. "I wanted to design it myself and for that I contacted a man who is immersed in the field of 3D printers," explains Gianluca.
The Day His Dad Fired Him From Work
In April 2021, he began sketching the metal structure with the help of Carlos, the man who recommended the best possible materials to assemble it. After six long months, Gianluca received his long-awaited work tool, although hard news extinguished his happiness.
"I got fired from my job by my own dad. It was a very difficult time, I was starting my own project with a lot of effort and the economic support to maintain it vanished from one day to the next," says the young man sadly.
"I fight for a better future"
With a mixture of emotions, he moved forward for a dream: to become an entrepreneur. "Without the support of my mother and grandparents this would not have been possible, they helped me financially with expenses that I could not pay because I was fired," says the young Argentine.
Finally, in 2022, Gianluca managed to build a unique product, the well-known longboards, but customized. He created an account on Instagram, through which he now offers the possibility for customers to come up with their own product.
Gianluca with his grandfather at an exhibition at La Rural. Photo: @longgies.arg, Instagram.
"It was amazing how much impact it had on social media, people from all over the world call me to order their own skateboard. I shipped to Dubai, the United States, Slovenia, Spainand most of the provinces of Argentina," says the merchant, owner of @longgies.arg.
"Currently, I am in charge of logistics, assembly, customer service and distribution of the goods. I even recommend to my followers the size of board that is ideal and suitable for their physical build," adds Gianluca.
Proud of his present, the young man aspires to study a degree in Industrial Design and be able to improve himself even more in the field. "I am very happy, I hope to continue growing personally and give my mother everything she deserves," says the entrepreneur.