Ep 177: "A Texas Retail Giant; Innovating from the Inside Out" with Ileana Gonzalez

Ever wonder how your local grocery store is quietly becoming smarter, faster, and better at learning your personal needs? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob sits down with Ileana Gonzalez, Director of Emerging Technology and Innovation at 120 year old, family owned Retail giant, H-E-B from San Antonio, Texas, to explore how technology, culture, and community are reshaping retail from the inside out. From building coalitions at one of Texas's biggest retail companies to strengthening community ties in San Antonio and Mexico, Ileana shares real-world insights into innovation, leadership, and the human side of tech. Feel free to follow and engage with ILEANA here: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ileanagonzxlez/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ileanagonzxlez/ - X: https://x.com/IleanaGonzxlez - Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebnewsroom/ We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide. As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests. ¡Cheers y gracias!, Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team. Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back and Introduction to Retail Innovation 05:17 The Changing Grocery Experience 06:52 Innovating in a Family-Owned Business 11:35 Building Community and Culture at HEB 14:35 Understanding Consumer Needs 19:07 The Role of Technology in Retail 23:44 Employee Innovation and Partner Experience 25:12 What Makes HEB Stand Out? 26:49 HEB's Unique Opportunity in Mexico 28:03 Cross-Pollinating Innovation Across Borders 29:29 The Legacy of H-E-B and Community Impact 29:59 San Antonio's Entrepreneurial Landscape 34:06 Revitalizing Downtown San Antonio 35:23 Lessons from Leading TechBlock 38:27 Future Innovations at H-E-B 40:04 Building Relationships with Public and Private Sectors 43:02 Personal Growth and Future Aspirations 47:23 Creating Meaningful Partnerships