My journey as an entrepreneur began back in High School. Houston’s scorching summers made lawn care a challenging task for many people who preferred not to do it themselves. So, I teamed up with two partners and we managed a successful lawn care business. By the end of the 3rd year, we served 1,500 customers, had 75 employees, and even owned some land.
Apart from a brief period of serving in the Army during the first Gulf War, I’ve spent the last thirty years primarily focused on building businesses from a financial perspective to the CFO level. However, this journey was not without its challenges. I found myself in the “Owner’s Trap”, where the business I created became overwhelming. It led to delayed decision-making, lack of follow-through, and an inability to detach from work even during vacations, causing strain in my marriage.
Being spread too thin prevented me from doing what I was truly passionate about and hindered my path to financial freedom. I noticed that other businesses slowed or even stalled when CEOs wore too many hats.
My vision is to help underserved CEOs of private companies escape the “Owners Trap” by enhancing their effectiveness and ultimately achieving financial freedom. We do this with proven financial Habits that have become a proven financial freedom system.
In addition to Foresight CFO, I am a graduate studies lecturer at Georgetown University SCS, a speaker, and a Forbes Author.
During my military service, I earned my bachelor’s and then two master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins and Georgetown University after being discharged, including my MBAs—one in international relations and economics; and the other in finance and accounting. In between earning degrees, I spent a year in Venezuela teaching English and learning Spanish. In Venezuela, I met the love of my life, Nayarit. Together, we have two sons, Don Fernando and Luke Leonardo, both Army officers by way of West Point Military Academy.