We Opened Our First Indoor Location During The Great Recession
I Wanted to Make a Difference by Building in a Different Way.
Five Words That Got My Team and I Through a Pandemic
In March 2020, when the world changed overnight, I faced a challenge that no one had a guidebook for shutting down all five of our Ocaquatics Swim School locations due to COVID-19. With in-person lessons impossible, we had to adapt fast. I asked myself, “How do I want to be remembered during this crisis?”
The answer came in five simple words: calm, compassionate, stable, positive, leader. These words became the foundation of every decision we made, helping us navigate the toughest of times. By staying calm, leading with compassion, and focusing on stability and positivity, we were able to keep our team connected and come back stronger after the pandemic.
These five words aren’t just pandemic lessons They’re timeless principles for leadership that still guide me today.
Business Is a Wave, Not a Roller Coaster
Entrepreneurship isn’t a roller coaster, it’s more like surfing a wave. While a roller coaster happens to you, surfing requires reading the water, adjusting in real-time, and constantly paddling back out when you wipe out. Over 32 years of running Ocaquatics, I’ve faced many challenges, from debt to navigating a global pandemic. But each time, I chose to keep going. Entrepreneurship is about making decisions, trusting your instincts, and learning to ride the wave, no matter how many times you fall.
Five Words That Got My Team and I Through a Pandemic
In March 2020, when the world changed overnight, I faced a challenge that no one had a guidebook for shutting down all five of our Ocaquatics Swim School locations due to COVID-19. With in-person lessons impossible, we had to adapt fast. I asked myself, “How do I want to be remembered during this crisis?”
The answer came in five simple words: calm, compassionate, stable, positive, leader. These words became the foundation of every decision we made, helping us navigate the toughest of times. By staying calm, leading with compassion, and focusing on stability and positivity, we were able to keep our team connected and come back stronger after the pandemic.
These five words aren’t just pandemic lessons They’re timeless principles for leadership that still guide me today.
3.2 Million Swimming Lessons and a Mission to Reach Zero Drownings
3.2 million swimming lessons taught, but the mission is far from over. Drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death for children in Miami-Dade, and most cases are preventable. From a single hotel pool in 1994 to a community-wide initiative for water safety, this is the story behind a lifelong commitment to reach zero drownings and expand access to swim education for every child.
I Sold My Company to My Employees While They Were Sleeping
In an unforgettable moment on March 1, 2024, I shared life-changing news with my team of 50 people. After 30 years of building Ocaquatics, I told them I had sold the company. But there was a twist, they woke up as co-owners, with 78% of the new owners being women, 94% Hispanic or Black, and 70% born outside of the U.S. This wasn't just a business transaction; it was a transformative moment in employee ownership, diversity, and wealth creation. In this post, I share how and why I chose to empower my team, and how it led to a legacy of financial and social change. Read on to learn how employee ownership can redefine success.