Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor our history, celebrate our culture, and reflect on the values that have carried our Latino community forward for generations. It’s also an opportunity to think about the legacy we are building for the future—not only through traditions, language, and family, but also through the way we approach our finances. For me, true wealth has never been just about money. It’s about peace of mind, strong family relationships, and the dignity that comes with knowing we’re leaving something meaningful for those who come after us. That’s the heart behind Finances Con Corazón, my motto.

I have seven secrets you can use to build a business that can grow both with you and even if you were to step away. These secrets will help you build something you’re proud of to leave to your children or to sell. But no matter what you’ll eventually do with your business, you have to do it with intention and corazón.

When I was 13 years old, the IRS showed up at the doorstep of my father’s business. My dad hadn’t filed taxes in two years. That day, I picked up a tax book, read it cover to cover, did his return in pencil, and mailed it in. That was the first tax return I ever completed—and it set me on the path I’ve walked ever since.

There are a few fundamental truths that I’ve learned in life that are still relevant today. One is that people can’t be forced to do something they don’t want to do. Remember this: thinking may determine what you want, but actions determine what you get.

Wealth is not just money. It’s health, resilience, connection, and knowledge. Financial wealth gives us access—to therapy, to good healthcare, to opportunities—but emotional and cultural wealth sustain us through the darkest times.