In 2026, for those looking for a job or seeking advancement in their careers, besides constantly submitting resumes and waiting for job postings on recruitment websites, is there any other way? Joey Gonzalez, the Chairman of the American boutique fitness brand Barry’s, has a message for young people: why not reach out to him directly.
“I have always, and still do, reserve most of my Fridays for those who want to explore career development, even if they are strangers reaching out to me on LinkedIn,” Gonzalez said in an exclusive interview with Fortune magazine.
At the age of 26, Gonzalez walked into a Barry’s fitness studio for the first time, initially just looking for a good workout class. However, he quickly fell in love with the exercise and eventually became a Barry’s coach. Ten years later, in 2015, he had become the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. Last year, he transitioned to the role of Chairman of the Board at Barry’s. Therefore, he strongly believes that young people should not just wait for opportunities to come to them.
He suggests that if you see someone rapidly advancing within a company around you, observe what qualities they possess and then directly ask, “Can we grab a coffee together?”
Gonzalez’s belief in the power of proactive connections has a direct reason behind it. The current CEO of Barry’s once sent him a cold email. This email did not go through traditional recruitment processes but caught Gonzalez’s attention.
The individual went on to become the company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), then rose to President, and eventually became CEO. Gonzalez remembers that what truly impressed him was not a polished resume but the person’s passion for Barry’s. This is why he thinks the most important aspect for young people when writing cold emails is not just stating, “I need a job,” but making the other person understand why you genuinely want to join that company.
For example, a long-time member of Barry’s could write: “I’ve been a part of Barry’s for a year, and it has changed my life. Here’s my resume, maybe one day you’ll have a position that fits me.”
To Gonzalez, such a message is more memorable than a generic job application letter.
Young people do not have to wait for companies to announce job openings before reaching out. If you genuinely love a company’s products, services, or culture, you can find relevant individuals, express your interests candidly, and introduce yourself. Of course, sending an email does not guarantee a job.
However, Gonzalez believes that the worst-case scenario is not receiving a response, but you did not have that job in the first place. He also advises young people that sincerity is crucial when making proactive connections. If the other party finds your approach “too cheesy,” it might not necessarily be a bad thing because it could mean you and that company are not the right fit.
Gonzalez’s experience is not a singular case. Emma Grede, the mastermind behind SKIMS, once proactively contacted Kris Jenner, the matriarch of the Kardashian family, to pitch her ideas. This proactive move resulted in a long-term business collaboration and was a significant step in SKIMS’ future development.
When Dylan Field, the CEO of Figma, was 19 and starting his entrepreneurial journey, he also reached out to tech industry professionals he admired, inviting them for coffee.
Anna Lundström, the CEO of Nespresso UK, once knocked on the luxury industry’s door through a cold email, securing an internship opportunity at LVMH.
They did not wait for opportunities to come to them; they took the first step.
For young people seeking their first job, exploring career paths, or looking for internal advancement within a company, submitting resumes remains a part of job hunting, but perhaps it does not have to be the only route. Sometimes, an email to a stranger, an invitation for coffee, or even a brave conversation starter could lead two individuals who otherwise had no connection to start getting acquainted.
At 47 years old, Gonzalez is a father of two and serves as the Chairman of the Board. His advice to young people is simple: “You never know what might happen, so always be willing to take a risk.”