“He fondly reminisced about his childhood spent in his grandmother’s house, surrounded by desert and constantly seeking adventure.”
Diego La Garde and Yandi Monardo did not know each other. Each arrived punctually at the meeting place: Hacienda Cocina y Cantina, an authentic Mexican culinary gem in the heart of Cabo San Lucas.
Diego, an entrepreneur with a solid background in the entertainment and hospitality industries, arrived hand in hand with his partner, Maleni, who ensured everything went smoothly. Yandi, a prominent multidisciplinary artist and Tendencia’s editorial board member arrived with Luana, his manager, and his daughter.
The first interviews planned for this special edition were about to take place. The Tendencia audiovisual team had everything ready. The warm service of the Hacienda Cocina y Cantina team is excellent, too.
Diego La Garde and Yandi Monardo were excited to start the hot Tuesday dynamic when they had the most public and private conversations in front of the Cabo San Lucas Arch.
The Protagonists
A shot of tequila eased their throats and fostered trust between our main characters. Born and raised in Cabo San Lucas, Diego fondly reminisced about his childhood spent in his grandmother’s house, surrounded by desert and constantly seeking adventure. With a Yakult and a sandwich in his backpack, he would spend hours collecting damianas (herb) and choyas (spirit rocks). As a teenager, he discovered the Suburcabos (the local bus transit) and would hang out on the beach with friends, enjoying activities like skimboarding or skateboarding downtown. “We resided in a quiet Cabo neighborhood, where everyone was acquainted. These experiences taught me the significance of community and compassionate treatment towards others.”
He recalled that at a very young age, he started working as a beachside advertising man and luring customers into The Squid Roe, the iconic nightclub his father, Billy La Garde, is a founding member of. Throughout the interview, she referred to him several times with great admiration for the dedication and responsibility she always saw in him.
In 2018, Diego was appointed marketing director of El Squid Roe, which incidentally celebrated its 35th anniversary last January. He mentioned that some of the staff have been with the company since he was a child and have no plans to retire soon.
During the pandemic, Diego embarked on a unique venture: Cabo Hospitality, a collective of lifestyle brands offering exceptional dining, nightlife, and activity experiences in Los Cabos. He has also produced significant concerts in Los Cabos and has many anecdotes. He also recalled some of his challenges, such as leaving Los Cabos to study at a military institute in Roswell, New Mexico, and his first job in the United States.
Meanwhile, Yandi, originally from Uruguay, has lived in Mexico and has consolidated his artistic career in Los Cabos. He runs his gallery, Luxury Avenue in Puerto Paraíso, which he opened in 2011, where he exhibits his work and that of celebrated artists. Yandi has generously opened her gallery to local and emerging artists, fostering spaces for culture and the arts. With a unique style and abstract expressionism, she has spearheaded creative and educational projects and generated the spaces.
All of us behind the camera can say that, after this interview, both Diego and Yandi will remember this morning. Diego commented that responding was an exercise that led him to reflect and remember important moments in his life. Yandi because he was surprised by his story.
At the end of this interview, it is clear to the behind-the-scenes team that Diego and Yandi will remember this morning. Diego’s commitment to reflecting on significant moments through this exercise is commendable. Yandi’s surprise at his emotional responses is a testament to his love of stories. Both of their commitment and dedication are truly inspiring.
How did you manage to turn your ideas into reality?
The first step was conceptualising a unique proposition combining quality and entertainment. By researching the market, I understood the customers’ needs. I then designed a solid business plan detailing everything from financing to implementation.
Was there a person who inspired you on this path?
My father, Billy La Garde, was a great inspiration. I grew up watching his passion and dedication at El Squid Roe, which motivated me to follow in his footsteps. His focus on quality and innovation taught me the importance of consistently delivering the best. I turned to digital brand management during the pandemic and founded Cabo Hospitality. Now, I manage our brands with the same commitment.
Do you have any mentors?
Yes, I have a great mentor, Luis Alvarado; he is an honest, generous and honest person in what he does. His dedication to his work is an example of not setting limits. And I think he pushes me to be. I don’t want to say I am a better worker because I feel that what I do is not work, but he inspires me to do what I do with more pleasure. We can say that, in a way, he is a person who shares knowledge, and that is invaluable. We have different professions, but his expertise and advice enrich me. Being around him and other people from the business world, I absorb some daily experience.
