GOJA, LLC.

For FIU alumnus and GOJA, LLC President Walter Gonzalez, Jr. ’96, FIU embodies much of the same values that he prides himself on as an individual and as an entrepreneur. GOJA, an online retailer, specializes in selling across multiple online channels such as online auctions, direct retail sites, comparative shopping sites and online stores. As one of the largest sellers on Amazon, GOJA handles all aspects from selling online, to the creation of advertisements and content, to fulfilling and shipping orders to US consumers and countries abroad.

FIU’s core values emulate where education and innovation are going and, for Walter, was always a place where he could openly try new things. As a successful entrepreneur, Walter attributes much of his success to the time he spent at FIU, and he recognizes that with every great idea comes the need for support to launch the idea forward. With extensive resources and someone always there to lend a helping hand, FIU is a great place to start, and it is with contributions like Walter’s that our students are able to attain the support and guidance needed to move forward their creative thinking.

The GOJA-iChange Social Innovation Challenge is a business incubator exclusively dedicated to students with dreams of establishing social enterprises. The program is used as a way to harness the ideas of aspiring entrepreneurs and to teach them how to start a business that can sustain itself, while also making a positive impact on the community. According to Walter, “FIU reflects the positive things that the world is looking for — openness, opportunity, flexibility.” Through the GOJA-iChange Social Innovation Challenge, FIU students are at a unique advantage, as they receive unparalleled direction and support from Walter. The flexibility that FIU has to offer, in addition to the open- ended opportunities provided to students, makes the university a unique space for aspiring entrepreneurs to engage, flourish and attain valuable knowledge that steers them in the direction of success. The GOJA-iChange Social Innovation Challenge furthers the image that FIU is an innovative institution that prides itself on creating an environment conducive for our students to think and develop their ideas. If students have more time to cultivate their ideas and feel less pressure to locate funds, they face a greater chance of success.

For Walter, giving back and being involved with FIU is about coming full circle; he recognizes that he did not get to where he is today by himself, and hopes to be there as a guiding force for our students. As a young university, FIU has the ability to adapt to future industry changes, and through programs like the GOJA-iChange Social Innovation Challenge, the university is doing just that.