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!
In this episode, I share my perspective on the tragic killing of Renée Nicole Good and why moments like this demand clarity, restraint, and leadership rather than instant conclusions. We’re living in a time when emotion travels faster than facts, and division often fills the space where understanding should live. My goal here isn’t to inflame, but to add context, acknowledge pain, and encourage thoughtful reflection while the facts are still coming into focus. I hope you’ll watch with an open mind and consider what responsible leadership looks like in moments that test all of us.
In this episode, I talk about why progress rarely comes from perfect ideas or moral certainty—and why waiting for purity often keeps us stuck. Idealism can feel virtuous, but history shows that real change happens when people are willing to act, accept imperfection, and move forward anyway. For our community, that means choosing momentum over stagnation, results over symbolism, and responsibility over comfort. If we’re serious about building power, dignity, and lasting progress, this is a conversation we need to have—honestly and without illusions.
In this episode, I talk about something we’re almost never encouraged to say out loud: wealth is power—literally. Not likes, not outrage, not visibility. I break down why real influence comes from ownership and leverage, not consumption; why income feeds families but equity builds dynasties; and why a wealthy Latino with a clear purpose shouldn’t be seen as a problem, but as proof of what’s possible. If you’ve ever felt uneasy talking about money or ambition, I’d love for you to watch this one and think about what “owning more” could look like for you and our community.