I was born in the beautiful Island Country of Cuba many years ago. My story would dramatically change at a very young age when the dictator, Fidel Castro took power in Cuba and lied to the nation by declaring it a Marxist regime. My Father would not stand for this kind of life so we were lucky to be part of the early days of freedom flights to the US. We landed in Miami, Fl. in 1961 and built our life here. For the first 2 years I barely saw my Dad as he worked 3 jobs, but would always be so grateful for the freedom and opportunities that the US had given him and our family. He was a natural entrepreneur and I helped him set up his first auto parts business when I was just 9 years old. I remember the sense of pride of ownership that Dad felt. I truly believe that it instilled in me my lifelong passion of entrepreneurship.
I went to high school at a prestigious private school in Miami with Dad taking out loans to help. I graduated from The University of Miami with a BBA degree in International Marketing in 1977. Shortly after graduating from College I began my career in the fashion business. I worked for a few footwear and apparel Companies in Miami and later on in NYC. I learned a lot about global business as well as the import business. I traveled through the Far East learning the manufacturing, design and product development aspects of the fashion industry. However, I was not satisfied working for others in a Corporate role. My experience had taught me how to build a business, and with VERY little money I started my first apparel business when I was just 29 years old. It was a stressful time, but the most exciting time in my entire professional life. It taught me grit, perseverance and how to believe in myself…all traits I’ve carried throughout my professional life. That brand, Wilke-Rodriguez, became a very popular menswear brand sold in many of the best stores in the US and licensed in many parts of the World. We also opened our own Company owned retail stores around the US.
I sold my trademark and business in 2003 to a large public Company called “The Men’s Wearhouse”, where part of my deal was to stay on as the Creative Director and to design and develop a new mens and womens brand, under my name, for them. After 2 years, I realized that after owning and building my own Company I simply was not ‘made’ for Corporate America and all of its politics, bureaucracy, etc.
I amicably resigned, while leaving money on the table, to start a new chapter of ‘soul searching’ about what I wanted to do next. I had to serve out a one year non-compete which allowed the luxury of time.
I decided that I wanted to utilize my experience as a serial entrepreneur to help others. It felt very authentic to me to help others understand entrepreneurship, as I could share my experience with them. I lived in New York City for 21 years as I built my ‘fashion industry chops’. As the song says, ‘if you can make it there you can make it anywhere’; and, I did.
While serving my non-compete I ‘stumbled’ upon the franchise industry. I studied it and decided this is what I wanted to do, help others pursue their best next life via franchise ownership. For almost 17 years now, it has provided me with tremendous purpose, while allowing me to live life on my terms, and providing me the financial and personal freedom that I wanted. I recently joined an amazing new franchise consulting network, The Perfect Franchise, and so far it has lived up to its name.
It has been a great experience to help people over the years ‘design’ their new life while being the boss, building wealth and experiencing the same financial freedom and independence that I cherish.
I currently live in Miami, Florida with my beautiful wife, Kim. We are blessed with Isabel, an amazing daughter who recently started her career up in NYC. LIFE IS GOOD!
