Today we’d like to introduce you to Agustin “Gus” Umanzor.
Hi Agustin “Gus”, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I would say it all started in middle school. Growing up, I was always able to speak and understand Spanish, but I was never able to fully read or write it, and I had little understanding of Spanish grammar.
I had an identity moment when I learned that the word “Hispanic” literally refers to someone from a Spanish-speaking background. I thought, “If I want to identify as Hispanic, I need to truly know Spanish.” It wasn’t enough for me to simply speak and understand the language. I wanted to fully master it.
That realization led me to study Spanish through an academic lens throughout middle school, high school, and college, ultimately earning one of my degrees in Spanish.
After college, I wanted to use my Spanish in the workplace, so I began working in real estate property management. Although I was able to use Spanish in my job, I realized that I didn’t love the work itself. I had another moment of realization: I needed to find a career that was more meaningful and purposeful to me.
I quit my job, bought a one-way ticket to Georgia, and decided to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. During that experience, I promised myself that whatever career I chose next would need to be meaningful and purposeful.
That experience ultimately led me to teaching Spanish. Today, I don’t see myself as someone who simply teaches the Spanish language. I teach students and clients about language, culture, identity, and my own personal connection to the Spanish-speaking world. What started as a desire to better understand my own identity eventually became the foundation for my career and the way I connect with and teach others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. While one of my degrees is in business, which has been extremely helpful in getting Con Gusto Spanish Tutoring up and running, I’ve still made plenty of mistakes along the way. I’ve learned to laugh at those mistakes and, more importantly, see them as learning experiences.
I’ve learned so much through the process that I sometimes joke that I could start a consulting firm helping someone start a business from nothing! There are so many things I’ve learned that I would love to pass along to someone who is just getting started. I was fortunate to have people along the way who were willing to give me advice, share their experiences, and offer suggestions, and I’m incredibly thankful for that support.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of believing in yourself and being willing to take a chance. Sometimes you just have to jump into the deep end, figure things out as you go, and see what happens.
I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to have a supportive spouse who believed in me, even during the moments when I didn’t fully believe in myself. That support has made a huge difference in giving me the confidence to keep going, learn from my mistakes, and continue building Con Gusto.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Spanish tutor, native Spanish speaker, and educator with a B.A. in Spanish from Dickinson College, five years of classroom teaching experience, and five years of private tutoring experience. I currently work with students in grades K–12, supporting learners across a wide range of ages, abilities, and developmental levels.
My goal is to help students move beyond simply memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules and instead develop the ability to communicate meaningfully in Spanish. Through structured lessons and engaging activities, students build strong foundations in grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading, and speaking while also developing a deeper appreciation for Spanish-speaking cultures.
My teaching emphasizes a communicative approach, meaning students actively use Spanish through conversation, listening, reading, and interactive activities. Whenever possible, I conduct sessions primarily in Spanish so students become more comfortable using the language and build confidence and natural fluency.
What sets me apart is that Spanish is much more than a subject I teach; it is a language that is deeply connected to my own identity, family, and culture. I bring that personal connection into my teaching and strive to help students understand not only how Spanish works, but why learning it matters.
I’m especially proud of creating Con Gusto Spanish Tutoring and building a business around something I genuinely love. At the heart of my work is a simple goal: helping students discover that learning Spanish can be engaging, meaningful, and something they truly enjoy doing “con gusto” with enthusiasm and joy.
Outside of my work, I’m also a proud dad to two fully bilingual boys, whom my wife and I have raised speaking Spanish from birth. Language, culture, and family are deeply connected for me, and that connection continues to influence the way I teach and support my students.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I do think luck has played a role in both my life and my business. Sometimes it’s as simple as being fortunate enough to acquire a client at just the right time or having the right opportunity come along.
That said, I believe most of what I’ve accomplished has come from working hard, being consistent, and simply getting things done. I try to put myself in situations where I can create opportunities for good luck to find me. The more I put myself out there, meet people, try new things, and keep moving forward, the more opportunities I create for something good to happen.
I think there is a balance between luck and preparation. You can’t control when a lucky break will come, but you can control whether you’re ready to take advantage of it when it does. I try to create an environment where a little bit of good luck can go a long way.
Pricing:
- In-Person Tutoring $125 per hour
- Virtual Tutoring $125 per hour
Contact Info:
