Gary Young

Gary Young is the founder and CEO of Avela Global, a multinational sourcing and manufacturing firm established in 2002. With over two decades of experience across Asia, Gary has built a company that bridges creativity, craftsmanship, and commerce.

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Hosted by

Hilmarie Hutchison

Gary Young

Founder & CEO, Avela Global

Gary Young is the founder and CEO of Avela Global, a multinational sourcing and manufacturing firm established in 2002. With over two decades of experience across Asia, Gary has built a company that bridges creativity, craftsmanship, and commerce. From his roots in advertising and commercial photography to leading operations across China, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, and now Dubai, he has redefined how businesses source, design, and deliver products globally.

A storyteller at heart, Gary brings a human-centered approach to manufacturing—one that values transparency, quality, and collaboration. His career reflects both resilience and reinvention, from turning creative frustration into a global opportunity to overcoming stage-four cancer and emerging as a true example of purpose-driven leadership.

About this Episode

In this episode, Gary shares his remarkable journey from the world of advertising and photography to the manufacturing hubs of Asia. He recalls how a spontaneous trip to China in 2002 inspired a complete career transformation—leading him to establish Avela Global and build long-term partnerships rooted in trust and precision.

Gary discusses how curiosity and persistence shaped his company’s expansion from point-of-purchase displays to a full-scale sourcing and development firm serving clients worldwide. He also reveals why having “feet on the ground” in key markets remains the secret to delivering quality, solving problems early, and creating bespoke manufacturing solutions.

Reflecting on Dubai’s energy and potential, Gary explains what drew him to the city and how he aims to help local entrepreneurs create brands that reflect the region’s identity and ambition. His advice for business owners is simple but powerful: think big, stay patient, and never stop showing up—even when things get hard.

In a deeply personal moment, Gary opens up about surviving stage-four cancer and how that experience reshaped his view on life, leadership, and gratitude. His story is a testament to endurance, faith, and the belief that meaningful partnerships can transform not just companies—but lives.