Bellboy to boardroom: CEO says Leonardo DiCaprio’s words and casino chips changed his life

Abel Ariza said that the interaction with Leonardo DiCaprio taught him that 'belief in your vision matters more than status or circumstance'. (Image credit: LinkedIn, AFP)

A Singapore-based CEO, once a bellboy at the Ritz-Carlton Barcelona, has credited a brief encounter with actor Leonardo DiCaprio for shaping his entrepreneurial journey and leadership philosophy.

At 23, Abel Ariza, CEO of Everhaus Group, was managing luggage for high-profile guests including Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, and Mariah Carey. But it was a quiet moment with DiCaprio that left a lasting impression. After Ariza helped load the actor’s luggage, DiCaprio broke hotel protocol to let him use the guest elevator. Before leaving, he handed Ariza a handful of leftover casino chips and said: “Keep it. Build something you believe in.”

The gesture, both symbolic and financial, stayed with Ariza. “That moment taught me that belief in your vision matters more than status or circumstance,” he wrote in a recent LinkedIn post.

Ariza’s post reflects on how small interactions with global icons shaped his leadership style. Clinton, despite arriving at 2 am after a delayed flight, made it a point to shake hands with every staff member. Mandela, known for his precision, insisted on having his coffee served at exactly 6.15 am. Mariah Carey, noticing Ariza struggling with her 47 suitcases, laughed and tipped him €50 (about Rs 5,000 today), saying, “That’s just for the workout.”

Each moment, Ariza says, taught him something different: presence, discipline, and the importance of recognising people’s efforts. Today, he leads Everhaus with a focus on empathy, human connection, and valuing people over hierarchy.

Now a CEO, board member, and part-time lecturer, Ariza says those early lessons continue to guide his decisions. “Leadership isn’t about titles,” he wrote. “It’s about how you show up for people — whether you’re carrying their bags or building a company.”