Meet Maurice Gibson & Leonardo Orozco | Co-Owners of Chow Time & Active Duty Military

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maurice Gibson & Leonardo Orozco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maurice & Leonardo, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Maurice: The thought process behind starting Chow Time was developing an idea and seeing it to fruition. Leo and myself we’re active duty military (Navy) so we understand the everyday grind, we understand steadily having to evolve, having to adapt to your environment and climate, having to pivot at a seconds notice, these are all things that we take from the military side and incorporate into the business world. Being in the military and living in San Diego for over 15 years, I feel San Diego has adopted me in a way, I feel comfortable calling San Diego home, so I wanted to give back to this city, something that I feel is wanted and needed. A business that can be here for years to come, spreading joy and love throughout the city, there’s no cap on the amount happiness that you can spread and that’s what I believe Chow Time can do. We both have children, the thought of being able to leave something to them. The thought of being successful, our kids being proud of us is what drove us to start Chow Time. It’s important to the both of us for our children and other children for that matter to see us in a position of leadership and success to know that they too can achieve their dreams and goals as well, if they put in the work and the due diligence, they can achieve and become whatever they want to in life. It starts with Leo and myself opening those doors for them so all they have to do is walk through them and continue to build their legacies.

Leo: For me starting my own business has been a lifelong dream and mission. My mother’s side of the family is more education oriented, we have doctors, lawyers, accountants, teachers..etc On the other hand my father’s side is more business oriented, they own print shops, restaurants, bars, shoe stores..etc. I tend to levitate more towards my father’s side and decided this was the route I wanted to take. Why a pet shop? I love pets and especially English Bulldogs. I always knew that if I ever owned a business it was going to be pet related because that is something I am passionate about.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Maurice: I’m originally from St. Louis born and raised. I’m adopted, I do not know my biological parents at all, so growing up and even until this day I struggle with issues of abandonment, rejection, and feeling like I’m not good enough for people. I actually found my biological mother in 2020, I was super excited to actually know what her name was and to hear her voice, but it was a major let down because she really wasn’t interested in forging any type of relationship with me, so that took a toll on me for a while. Your first born child reached out to you after 35 years and you just were not interested in knowing me at all, not sure what type of mother would act like that, but I’m glad that I was able to find her and sort of close that chapter. From the ages of 15-18 I had 7 jobs, got fired from 4 and quit the other 3. I joined the military at the age of 18 and it wasn’t easy. Stepping outside of my comfort zone was a struggle for me but knowing that I wasn’t the only person struggling helped me get through some rough times, I was able to lean on some of my peers because we were struggling with some of the same issues. Coming into the military helped show me what diversity was all about, living in San Diego for the majority of my 20 years of service has shown me what diversity was as well. Being able to see people from different backgrounds, different religious beliefs, different ethnic groups, different walks of life, I was able to learn that not everyone thinks like you and that’s what separates everyone, because everyone is their own individual self and that’s okay because it opens up the door to have meaningful conversations. I say all of that to say, I use my weaknesses and I turn them into strengths. I try my best to make sure I’m someone my kids can look up to and be proud of. Being in the military has shown me how to work within a team, it’s not the individual that gets things done but the overall strength of the people that surround you, is the core that helps to achieve that ultimate goal. I’ve gotten to were I am today because of hard work, self-reflection, never taking no for an answer, never forgetting where I come from, and never letting anyone tell me what my potential is, I determine what my potential is. I’ve stayed grounded and humbled, with the help of a few mentors along the way. As my military career is starting to dwindle down, I’m excited and looking forward to what the next chapter brings my way.

Leo: I’m currently assigned as an Air tactical Control Instructor at Surface Combat Systems Training Command San Diego. It is a very hard course, approximately 10 weeks long, with a high attrition rate. I am very proud of what I do and take a lot of pride in mentoring, training, and preparing our country’s future generation of warfighters. What I believe sets me apart from my fellow instructors is that I am always willing to go the extra mile to make sure I give every candidate the opportunity to succeed in such a high stress, fast pace training environment.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Maurice: NO trip and I mean NO trip to San Diego is complete without checking out Gaslamp, I mean it’s iconic. It’s the first place I went in 2003 when I got to San Diego, Horton Plaza, the first outside mall I’d ever seen. So most definitely have to check out Gaslamp. Altitude would be my first stop, some of the best views in San Diego, if you’re lucky a Padre’s game will be live at the time there’s nothing quite like it. Which leads me to the second thing, have to go to a Padres home game, PETCO Park is one of the better baseball stadiums in the league, just great vibes. Have to take an evening cruise on the Hornblower, that just encompasses everything about San Diego, riding in the bay and the harbor with spectacular views. One of my favorite restaurants is Bali Hai. I love this place, especially the Sunday brunch. I wish they’d bring back the bottomless mimosa’s lol but that’s ok still great food and again great views of San Diego. I tell everyone you can’t go wrong with any taco shop that ends in “erto”, all the “erto” taco shops are good so definitely will be going to eat some “erto” taco shops. Crab Hut and Boiling Crab are some of my favorite seafood spots. Have to go to Barrio Logan and check out the sites there. One of my favorite eyeglass stores is 9FIVE. They have a storefront in Barrio Logan. I wear prescription glasses and I always use 9FIVE. Riding across The Coronado Bridge is a must, absolutely have to do that. I’m from St. Louis, so being stationed in SD, I got picked up from the airport in a van to be taking to my first ship on Naval Air Station North Island, and riding across that bridge just opened my eyes to the things this world can offer, I’d never seen views like that, ships to my left and right, people riding jet skis, boats, I’d never seen the ocean a day in my life, as a 18 year old kid I had no words, speechless going across that bridge. Riding the Silver Strand is another must see, awesome views of San Diego, after the strand that leads you to Imperial Beach, one of the most underrated beaches in San Diego in my opinion. I love the Mike Hess brewery there so will stop there for a beer or two and walk just a short distance to SEA180 inside of the Pier South Resort. Great ocean views in this spot not to mention the food and drinks are all top tier.

Leo: Since I’m active duty and extremely proud to serve my country, I will take them to several military installations to include: Naval Base San Diego, Naval Base Point Loma, Naval Air Station North Island, Marine Corp Air Station Miramar among others. I will show them around different ships, planes, and submarines and give them a basic understanding of what we do in the military and why it is so important. A trip to San Diego cannot be complete without heading south of the border (Mexico). Being able to experience two different cultures all in one trip is an experience like no other. The contrast between the food, the architecture, the music, the nightlife, and the economy are something my guests will really appreciate and remember.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Maurice: My parents most definitely deserve a shoutout because they have set the foundation for myself. They raised me the correct way, they provided me with the tools that I needed to tackle the real world. Maurice and Robyn Gibson made sure that I was ready to succeed in whatever I pursued, their love and motivation is what still pushes me to this day. The thought of being able to take care of them for the rest of their days motivates the hell out of me. My mother always told me “kill them with kindness” those words still stick with me to this day. Does it get hard at time to remember those words in the moment? Yes, of course it does but I try my best to stay humble, grounded, and continue to kill with kindness. A smile can go a long way!! It’s the simple things that people forget that can make a lasting impression on someone. Things like; thank you, you’re welcome, excuse me, sorry, yes/no ma’am, yes/no sir, all these things are free, they cost nothing, being respectful is FREE. So I have my parents to thank for that.

Leo: My children without a doubt. I became a parent at a very young age and even though my parents, my older siblings, and my family instilled good morals, principles, and values in me; Once I had my first child that was a game changer. Things became really serious; I immediately felt the pressure and the sense of responsibility to do my best in anything I tried. My children are my inspiration and my strength to remain focused, to stay resilient and to never quit.

Website: https://www.chowtime.app

Instagram: @chowtimeheroes