Case Study

Vívencias Reflejadas - Una Colección de Poemas en Español
Por José E. Grijalva

Christine G. Rodriguez is in her element whether in a corporate, nonprofit, or small- and medium-sized business environment. Her skills and experience in these diverse business environments are a unique mix of talent that greatly benefits her clients.

Objective

The objective of this case study is to share my experience in launching JGCG Enterprises, LLC with my business partner, José E. Grijalva. José was educated as an engineer; is a writer of Spanish-language poetry; a composer of music; a mariachi who sings and plays several instruments; and a union ironworker who builds skyscrapers.

Background

The mission of JGCG Enterprises was to interpret the joys and challenges of everyday living by addressing topics that graphically reflect life experiences – or “vivencias reflejadas” – including: love, passion, life, death, joy, sadness, spirituality, culture, education, the environment, and just plain fun.

Introduction by José E. Grijalva

While I have been writing poetry, composing and performing music all my life, Vivencias Reflejadas is my first published work as a poet.

“Vivencias Reflejadas is a journey into what most people might call ordinary life. But I believe that our lives are a reflection of who we are and where we’ve been. I believe that we are all travelers of the universe and that our experiences – no matter how insignificant we think they are – are, in fact, extraordinary.

It is my intent that my poems will lead you to places in your mind and heart where perhaps you’ve not dared to venture … into our Hispanic culture … into our physical and emotional world. For example, these poems depict the passion of a couple, making love under the moonlight … the Earth crying out in environmental agony, but no one listens … a priest falling from grace, committing a sacrilege … an innocent unborn child who wants very much to live but who faces the reality of being aborted … the personal trauma of immigrants leaving their families in search of a better life … a boy daydreaming about comic book heroes and realizing who is his true life super hero … a mouse in the house … drug addiction and crime in the streets … God as our Savior … and much, much more.” – Jose E. Grijalva

Introducción por José E. Grijalva

Mientras he estado escribiendo poesía, componiendo y dando presentaciones musicalmente toda mi vida, Vivencias Reflejadas es mi primer libro publicado en el cual he dado mis primeros pasos como escritor.

Vivencias Reflejadas es un diario en el cual la mayoría de la gente pudiera llamar una vida ordinaria. Pero yo creo que nuestras vidas son el vivo reflejo de quien somos y quienes hemos sido. Creo que todos somos grandes viajeros en el universo con todas nuestras experiencias, sin importar que tan insignificantes sean pero a la vez, extraordinarias.

Es mi intención que mis poemas los lleve a lugares remotos en su pensamiento y corazón, los cuales no duden de hacerlos aventura placentera … hacia un mundo de nuestra cultura Hispana … en nuestro mundo físico y emocional. Por ejemplo, … la tierra llorando nuestra destrucción ambiental y que no la escuchamos … un religioso cayendo en el pecado, cometiendo un sacrilegio … un pequeño inocente que desea vivir pero que se encuentra con la realidad de ser abortado … el trauma personal que sufren los inmigrantes por tratar de conseguir una vida mejor … un niño soñando con sus héroes de revistas cómicas y que lleva a ver el héroe real de la vida … un ratón en casa … y la drogadicción y el crimen de las calles … Dios nuestro Salvador … y mas … mucho mas.”

Methodology

• Set up a process to prepare the poems for publication, which included José sending me his poetry (usually handwritten); I typed and finalized the poems (referring often to a Spanish-language dictionary to understand the meaning of unfamiliar Spanish words);
• Contacted publishers for book; and production studios for CDs;
• Produced three (3) CDs of the Spanish-language poems narrated by José E. Grijalva with background instrumental music (violin & guitar) by José and his son, Adrian Grijalva.
• Promoted/marketed the book and CDs using various communications channels (print, media, electronic, in-person appearances, interviews, etc.)

Conclusion

The realism portrayed in Vivencias Reflejadas may shock some readers; or it may be a welcome, refreshing change along our journey through life … through the universe. You decide. El realismo marcado en Vivencias Reflejadas pudiera impactar algunos lectores o tal vez mirar de una manera diferente la vida y poder hacer un cambio en ella … atravez del universo. Usted decida.

The book and live recordings of “Vivencias Refjejadas” Una Colección de Poemas en Español

Por José E. Grijalva” are available at request. Jose narrates his poems, along with beautiful, soothing music (violin & guitar)

Acknowledgements:

First and foremost, I want to acknowledge and thank God, my Creator and only Father. Without Him, José Grijalva would not exist. This book would not have been possible without the gifts of creative writing, music and a singing voice that God gave me. I believe it was His will for me to share these gifts, which is what I’m doing with Vívencias Reflejadas.

Another person played a very important role in making this dream a reality. My partner, Christine Garcia Rodriguez – the CG in JGCG Enterprises, LLC – the one who believed in me … the one who encouraged me to give free rein to my inspiration … the one who motivated me to move forward in writing and reciting my poems and in publishing this book. Her overall business acumen, her strategies and her ability to execute these strategies have formed the foundation for our company. Before I met Christine, I was writing poems, but I was throwing them away! She gave me my first journal to begin collecting these poems. The rest is history, or should I say … the rest is only the beginning. – José E. Grijalva

Agradecimientos:

Ante todo, quiero agradecer a Dios, mi Creador y único Señor. Sin El, José Grijalva no existiría.

Este libro no hubiera podido ser realizado sin los dones de creatividad en escritura, música y voz que Dios me dio. Debo creer que El me ha dado estos dones para compartir, y el lo que estoy haciendo con Vivencias Reflejadas.

Existe otra persona que ha jugado un papel muy importante para poder hacer posible la realización de este sueño. Mi compañera, Christine Garcia Rodriguez – la CG en JGCG Enterprises, LLC – la que ha creído en mi … la que me animo para que diera rienda suelta a mi inspiración … y que con su motivación me empujo a escribir y recitar mis poemas, tanto como en la publicación de este libro. Su gran experiencia en estrategias y habilidades en el mercado de los negocios y comunicación han dado pie en la fundación de nuestro proyecto, nuestra compañía, JGCG Enterprises. Anteriormente, antes de conocer a Christine, todo cuanto escribía iba directo al olvido y desechados! Ella me obsequío el primer libro de apuntes para que no siguiera tirando mi trabajo y empezara a coleccionarlos. Lo demás es historia, o mejor dicho … lo demás es tan solo el principio. – José E. Grijalva