Gary Young

President & Founder of Avela Global | International Business & Product Sourcing Expert | Global Entrepreneur | Venture Development Strategist | Founder of Go-Dome | Speaker

Gary Young is an accomplished entrepreneur, international business strategist, and global sourcing expert with over 40 years of experience building businesses, developing international partnerships, and helping organizations turn innovative ideas into commercially viable products. As the President and Founder of Avela Global and founder of Go-Dome, Gary specializes in connecting businesses with manufacturing opportunities, product development resources, and global markets while supporting innovation and entrepreneurship.

Gary began his entrepreneurial journey in 1984, founding a company specializing in educational publishing. In 1988, he launched a boutique advertising agency, expanding his expertise in marketing, brand development, and business communications. Recognizing the opportunity to combine these capabilities, he merged the two businesses in 1996 to establish Avela Corporation, a full-service advertising and marketing agency.

A pivotal moment in Gary's career came during a business trip to China in 2002. Inspired by the country's entrepreneurial energy, manufacturing capabilities, and business culture, he transformed Avela from a traditional advertising agency into an international product sourcing and business development company. This strategic shift established the foundation for what would become Avela Global, connecting businesses with manufacturing partners, product development capabilities, and sourcing opportunities throughout Asia.

Through Avela Global, Gary has spent more than two decades helping companies navigate international business relationships, identify reliable manufacturing resources, and bring products to market. His expertise spans global sourcing, product development, manufacturing partnerships, international trade, business strategy, and cross-cultural collaboration.

With business experience spanning the United States and Asia, Gary brings valuable insight into the complexities of international commerce. His understanding of Chinese business practices, supplier relationships, and global manufacturing enables him to help entrepreneurs and established businesses reduce sourcing challenges, strengthen supply chains, and identify opportunities for growth.

Gary is also the founder of Go-Dome, an innovative company focused on portable planetarium solutions designed to expand access to immersive educational experiences. Through Go-Dome, he combines his background in educational publishing, product innovation, and international manufacturing to help schools, educators, and organizations bring engaging astronomy and science experiences to audiences around the world.

Beyond international sourcing and product commercialization, Gary is actively involved in venture development and entrepreneurship education. Through Avela Global's leadership of Ideas Made Real (IMR), he is helping support a program designed to empower young entrepreneurs across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

Ideas Made Real provides aspiring founders with structured guidance, mentorship, venture-building expertise, and access to strategic partners who can help transform promising concepts into practical business opportunities. The program focuses on helping young entrepreneurs validate problems, refine solutions, develop prototypes, and present their ventures to potential supporters and investors.

Through this initiative, Avela Global contributes more than 22 years of international business experience and a network spanning six global offices, supporting the development of innovative ventures and helping emerging entrepreneurs gain the confidence and practical skills necessary to move from ideas to execution.

Gary believes that entrepreneurship requires more than inspiration. Successful businesses are built through disciplined execution, strong relationships, practical problem-solving, and access to the right expertise and resources. His approach emphasizes connecting visionary ideas with the people, partners, and capabilities needed to turn those ideas into real products and sustainable companies.

As an experienced international business leader and speaker, Gary shares insights from decades of entrepreneurship, global business development, cultural exploration, and product commercialization. His perspective reflects a career shaped by adapting to new opportunities, embracing international markets, and building lasting professional relationships across different cultures.

Gary is also a member of Vistage International, where he connects with fellow executives and business leaders committed to leadership development, strategic growth, and organizational excellence.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Gary is a seasoned international traveler and avid reader of science and technology literature. He divides his time between Houston, Texas, and Shanghai, China, maintaining strong personal and professional connections across both markets. He and his wife have three adult sons, all electrical engineers.

Gary's entrepreneurial philosophy centers on recognizing opportunities where others may see complexity and creating the partnerships, systems, and resources necessary to turn those opportunities into tangible results.

His mission is simple: Help entrepreneurs and businesses transform innovative ideas into real-world products, connect with global manufacturing and business opportunities, and build sustainable ventures through strategic partnerships, practical execution, and international collaboration.

Gary works with entrepreneurs, CEOs, product innovators, manufacturers, educational organizations, investors, and international business leaders seeking to develop new products, establish global sourcing partnerships, expand into international markets, and turn promising business concepts into successful commercial ventures.

Through Avela Global, Go-Dome, and Ideas Made Real, Gary continues to connect innovation with execution, helping established organizations and emerging entrepreneurs access the expertise, partnerships, and resources needed to create meaningful business and educational opportunities worldwide.