The term “start-up” is one we all have heard hundreds of times, but I have never been totally clear on what the term actually means. I know it refers to companies that are relatively new, but I also know that not every new company is considered a start-up. I decided to ask a few people from the venture capital space what their definition of a start-up is, and while there was no clear consensus, the best answer I got was “a start-up is an early-stage company with substantial growth potential that has not yet achieved scale or profitability”. Not all companies have substantial growth potential, and therefore not all new companies are considered start-ups. It is very hard for a company to achieve real scale organically, so start-ups also refer to early-stage companies that have attracted at least some outside investment capital. I bring this up because, over the next few years, I plan on immersing myself in the world of start-ups. Check this out…In the past few months, three companies led by Latinos have gone public: Torrid, Cano Health, and The Honest Company; now a fourth is about to go public: Duolingo. This has created billions in new wealth for their Latino founders, employees, and early investors.
Real estate and business ownership are the largest drivers of wealth in America and with NAHREP and L’ATTITUDE Ventures it is exciting for me to be in the middle of both. With interest rates low and the stock market strong, there is more capital than ever chasing the deals. If you are starting a small business to support you and your family, outside capital may not be the best choice for you, but if you have an idea that has the potential to change an industry, investment capital can give you the wherewithal to take your company to scale without the immediate pressure to turn a profit. What’s more, experienced investors not only provide financial resources, they help open doors and facilitate key relationships. Think about it…Having an investor who can call someone in the c-suite of Walmart or Google can propel your company into the stratosphere. These are some of the new disciplines that have evaded Latinos for far too long, but things are starting to change. Time to start thinking big!
There is no shortage of data showing the impact Latinos are having on the U.S. economy, from GDP and entrepreneurship to workforce participation and homeownership. So why hasn’t that growth translated into the kind of economic and political power our numbers suggest it should? In this episode, I focus on two things we can actually control: building wealth and owning our narrative. Cultural influence matters, but ownership is what turns influence into lasting power. And if we want the next generation to inherit more than momentum, we need a strategy for converting our work ethic, growth, and economic contributions into the institutions and assets that shape this country.
The World Cup reminded the world just how magnetic Hispanic and Latino culture can be. In this episode, I talk about why that popularity is more than a cultural victory—it is an economic opportunity hiding in plain sight. From music, food, sports, and fashion to the global appeal of our biggest stars, our culture already has the power to shape markets and influence how people see us. The question now is whether our business and political leaders are ready to turn that momentum into capital, representation, and lasting power. This is a moment we cannot afford to waste.
The World Cup gave Hispanics and Latinos an extraordinary global stage, but the opportunity goes far beyond sports. In this episode, I look at how cultural influence can shape perception, attract investment, and ultimately create economic power. South Korea understood this decades ago and built a global strategy around making its culture impossible to ignore. Now, the world has seen the energy, pride, and creativity of our community on its biggest stage. The question is whether we recognize the value of that moment and build something lasting from it.