Leonardo DiCaprio tipped a hotel waiter with casino chips and told him to 'build something you believe in.' Today, that waiter is a CEO and entrepreneur

Abel Ariza, CEO of Singapore-based Everhaus Group, recently shared on LinkedIn how his early career as a bellboy at Ritz-Carlton Barcelona shaped his approach to leadership. At 23, he managed luggage for high-profile guests including Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Mariah Carey. In his post, Ariza described how small interactions with these figures taught him lessons about presence, discipline, and valuing people.

Among his encounters, one with Leonardo DiCaprio stood out. According to Ariza, the actor broke hotel protocol to let him use the guest elevator. After Ariza loaded DiCaprio’s luggage, he handed the young bellboy leftover casino chips and said: “Keep it. Build something you believe in.” The gesture, both symbolic and financial, left a lasting impact, reinforcing the importance of pursuing one’s vision and ambitions.

Leadership Lessons from Icons

Ariza also recalled other memorable interactions. Bill Clinton, despite arriving exhausted, shook hands with every staff member, teaching him the value of presence. Nelson Mandela requested his coffee at precisely 6:15 AM, demonstrating the role of discipline in achieving larger goals. Even Mariah Carey’s humor and recognition of Ariza’s effort left a strong impression.

Applying Early Lessons Today

Now leading Everhaus Group, which operates across Asia in markets including Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, Ariza applies these early experiences in corporate leadership. He emphasizes purpose-driven management, cross-cultural collaboration, and the importance of truly seeing and valuing people, whether in luxury hotels or business operations.

Ariza’s post resonated online, with readers highlighting the significance of human connection and empathy in leadership. Comments included, “True luxury and leadership lie in how we see and value people, not in the surroundings,” and “Every incident is a lesson that helps to shape us.” Many agreed that even brief encounters with influential individuals can provide lasting inspiration.

Leonardo DiCaprio, the American actor and producer, has been acclaimed for his performances in films such as Titanic, The Revenant, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Inception. A recipient of numerous awards, including an Academy Award and three Golden Globes, he is also a committed environmental activist, founder of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, and a United Nations Messenger of Peace. His global recognition and philanthropic work complement the lasting impression he left on Ariza during that early hotel encounter.

Ariza’s story continues to inspire thousands on LinkedIn, where readers described it as a reminder that “true leadership begins in small acts.” The Everhaus CEO later shared that the lessons he learned pushing luggage through hotel corridors still guide his business philosophy today. “I built Everhaus on the same principles I learned at the Ritz—discipline, humility, and seeing people, not positions,” he wrote in a follow-up reflection.