I was born in Cuba and moved to the United States at the age of four. My parents picked up whatever jobs they could, earning minimum wage and hustling hard to provide me with a better future. Like most, money was always a big issue in my family. 

My father always told me that ‘the only way to get out of the rat race is to start your own business.’ At the time I didn’t really comprehend what he was saying. What rat race?!

My parents, true to their word, started their own business when I was 14 years old. For the first time, I understood what my father meant about the infamous ‘rat race.’ The beginning was tough, I’m not going to lie, but nowadays, my parents have more freedom than anyone else I know working a 9-to-5. 

Throughout middle and high school, all my peers had big dreams of being doctors and lawyers, but I had my fathers voice in my ear, constantly telling me to think outside the box.

I got my first ‘real’ job at 20 years old and I finally understood what my father meant. I had seen how much freedom my parents had, how they could create their own schedules, and I especially couldn’t believe I had to ask my boss for permission to leave 15 minutes early for an emergency. I knew that wasn’t the life I wanted.

From the age of 20 to 25 I became a serial-entrepreneur in my free-time. 

I launched a drop shipping business, an Amazon FBA business (Amazon lost all my inventory! But that’s a story for another day), and a handful of other small projects that didn’t pan out.

I was addicted to the idea of working for myself and no matter how many times I failed, I pushed through. 

My parents taught me everything I know about hard work and perseverance. Giving up just wasn’t an option.