By Charles Patrick García (*)

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve been invited by Hernán Guaracao, Editorial in Chief of Al Día, to contribute weekly to this esteemed publication. It’s an honor to connect with you all and share my thoughts and experiences through these columns.

Passion for helping others achieve their goals in business and life doesn’t come out of nowhere. It’s born from facing challenges, taking bold risks, and riding the highs and lows that come with chasing a dream. Picture this: fresh out of Columbia Law School in New York City, ready to embark on a safe and promising legal career. But deep down, I felt a different calling, an insatiable desire to create, to innovate, to build something from scratch.

Leaving behind a law career just as it was about to start wasn’t an easy decision. The security of a prestigious job awaited me in Miami, and my parents, worried about my considerable student debt, kept reminding me of it. But as I held my one-month-old baby, Olivia, in my arms, I knew I had to follow my heart. I had to take that leap of faith and pursue my entrepreneurial dreams, or I’d always wonder, “what if?”

So, with nothing but passion, determination, and a solid idea, I dove into the business world. I founded a financial services company focused on serving the Hispanic market in the United States and Latin America. And let me tell you, the skepticism was immense. Many people told me Hispanics didn’t have money and that my company was doomed to fail. But I saw something different: I saw potential, resilience, a market ready to be served.

From a broom closet I called an office, my company went from a scrappy team of three to a global outfit with sixty offices spread across seven countries. It was an incredible journey filled with challenges and triumphs. Just ten years after founding the company, I sold it to a public firm, proving all the naysayers wrong. The Hispanic market not only had money but also an incredible entrepreneurial spirit and drive toward success.

I learned this: If you can dream it, you can do it. And the best way to predict the future is by creating it. As Gabriel García Márquez said, “Believe in yourself and you can achieve anything.”

In my weekly columns for Al Día, I aim to share stories and insights that inspire and empower you on your own path. Together, we’ll explore the many facets of success, learn from each other’s experiences, and celebrate victories, big and small. Remember, chase your dreams with courage and never give up. Thanks for joining me on this journey. I can’t wait to see where it takes us!

(*) “Charlie García is a decorated veteran and founder of R360, an initiative that transforms wealth into a force for good. With a legacy of service in the administrations of six U.S. presidents from both parties, Charlie has led significant initiatives in the education of Hispanic children. He is the author of the global bestseller “A Message from Garcia: Yes You can Succeed,” a work that inspires leaders and entrepreneurs worldwide.”