Luis Gutierrez – Take Control Now Podcast

In this episode of the Take Control Now podcast, I had the pleasure of welcoming Luis Gutierrez. We talked about his unconventional journey: from mechanic to salesperson, then founder of the Dulzura dance school in Lausanne. A conversation about what it truly means to live your passion in Switzerland, with authenticity and without compromise.

Who is Luis?

Luis is originally from Chile, and arrived in Switzerland at the age of five. After a difficult time at school — he describes himself as a "slacker" — he went through several jobs before finding his calling in Latin dance. Today, he runs the Dulzura dance school in Renens, with 16 instructors, 3 dance studios and around 250 students per month. He teaches salsa, bachata and kizomba, and organises parties and events throughout the Lausanne region.

From a Mechanics Apprenticeship to Sales

Luis started with a mechanics apprenticeship (a four-year Swiss federal diploma), driven by his passion for cars. But the salaries in the trade disappointed him, and he pivoted to industrial mechanics for five years at a glassworks in Saint-Prex. He quickly moved up the ranks to become head of internal training.

When his employer refused to recognise his career progression with a pay rise, Luis didn't hesitate: he left. A contact recruited him into sales, a completely new world for him.

"I showed up to my first job interview in a t-shirt and trainers. Everyone else was in suits and ties."

He spent eight years in sales — construction, office furniture, then automotive mechanics. A world where he thrived, but where the constant pressure to "always sell more" eventually wore him down.

The Leap into Dance

Alongside his sales career, Luis discovered salsa almost by chance — thanks to a hairdresser who was looking for a dance partner. It was love at first sight. He danced every evening, started teaching classes, then opened a small studio in Renens.

"Every time I got knocked down at work, it pushed me a little more to think: do something else."

One day, he ran the numbers, realised he didn't need a big salary to live, and took the plunge. That was 13 years ago. The school grew through word of mouth — no posters, no newspaper ads, just happy students bringing in others.

"It's not so much what you earn, it's more about what you spend. You can earn 3,000 francs a month and live better than someone earning 10,000."

Surviving Covid

The first wave gave him a welcome break after ten years without respite. But the second lockdown — eight months — was a shock. Between rent of 8,000 francs a month, delayed government aid, and an administration passing the buck, Luis came close to bankruptcy.

What kept him going: his community. Crowdfunding campaigns, messages of support, students who kept paying for their classes even when there were no classes. A family he couldn't abandon.

"What made me stay is the joy you bring to people. There's nothing more rewarding."

His Vision and Advice

• Don't be afraid to change: if something no longer suits you, change it. Luis never waited until he was on the brink of burnout to act.
• The importance of qualifications: even in an artistic field, an apprenticeship diploma or degree opens doors and creates unexpected opportunities.
• Fulfilment means freedom: being able to say no to what bothers you, without having to justify yourself.
• Put money in perspective: living from your passion in Switzerland is possible if you adjust your priorities.
• If you can do it once, you can do it again: even in the case of failure, the skills remain.

"Fulfilment is having as few hassles as possible in your life and being able to enjoy the things you love whenever you want."

His Inspirations

Luis doesn't cite any books or films that changed his life. His real mentors are real people: a school teacher who believed in him, a demanding apprenticeship supervisor, a boss in industrial mechanics who spotted his potential. People who, at every stage, saw something in him and gave him a boost.

Before dance, his first great passion was inline skating — he was Swiss junior half-pipe champion and nearly moved to the United States for the X-Games. It was his mother who convinced him to finish his apprenticeship first.

Where to Find Luis

• Website: salsalausanne.ch
• Dulzura School: Rue de Lausanne 60, Renens
• Salsa, bachata and kizomba classes (group and private)
• Regular parties and events

Conclusion

Luis Gutierrez's journey is a powerful reminder that there is no linear path to fulfilment. From slacker to skating champion, from mechanic to salesperson, then director of a thriving dance school — every detour shaped the person he is today: someone who can spontaneously say "I'm happy".

His message to the world? "Talk to each other." Reach out to others, dare to make contact, to start a conversation. That's often where everything begins.