Leonardo DiCaprio tipped a hotel waiter with casino chips and said 'build something you believe in.' CEO shares inspiring encounter

At 23, Abel Ariza was a bellboy at Ritz-Carlton Barcelona, where encounters with high-profile guests like Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, and Mariah Carey shaped his leadership perspective. DiCaprio notably broke protocol to tip him with casino chips, saying, Build something you believe in. Today, as CEO of Everhaus Group, Ariza applies these lessons in purpose-driven management across Asia, emphasizing human connection, empathy, and valuing people in both hospitality and business.