The Latino Majority

At two years old, Trixy Castro moved with her Cuban immigrant parents into the guest house of a wealthy Los Angeles family, where her mother worked as a live-in housekeeper. Growing up between two households, she witnessed different expressions of hard work, ambition, and financial opportunity. Her parents provided unconditional love and an extraordinary work ethic, while the family they worked for introduced her to the possibilities of real estate ownership and wealth creation. That early exposure would shape her understanding of what was possible—and eventually inspire a career devoted to creating opportunities for others. By fourteen, Trixy had launched her first business, a tutoring service that earned more than both her parents combined. Her curiosity about money later led her to a job as a Wells Fargo teller, where conversations with real estate investors revealed an overlooked opportunity in private lending. She went on to establish Genesis Capital, building it into a leading real estate finance company acquired by Goldman Sachs. Along the way, she developed an online real estate auction business that was acquired by Fidelity National Title. Yet despite these extraordinary accomplishments, selling the companies she had spent years building brought an unexpected sense of loss rather than the celebration she had imagined. In this conversation with Pedro A. Guerrero, Trixy reflects on the personal and professional lessons behind her entrepreneurial success. She discusses learning to distinguish useful advice from limiting opinions, recognizing opportunities in moments of economic uncertainty, and balancing instinct with data when making consequential business decisions. She also opens up about her complicated relationship with money, the guilt she experienced as a first-generation wealth creator, and the realization that entrepreneurs must invest in their own financial well-being rather than sacrificing everything for their businesses. Today, Trixy is focused on mentoring entrepreneurs and expanding access to real estate investing, particularly for individuals and families historically excluded from wealth-building opportunities. Drawing on her experiences as a founder, investor, and mother, she encourages the next generation to take ownership of their ambitions and become the CEOs of their own lives. Her vision for the Latino community is captured in a simple but powerful idea: Build it and own it. For Trixy, the next chapter of Latino success is not simply about contributing to America's prosperity, but ensuring that those who help create it have the opportunity to share in its ownership.   Topics Discussed Growing up in a Cuban immigrant household and discovering entrepreneurship Building Genesis Capital and selling to Goldman Sachs Overcoming financial insecurity and learning to create personal wealth Knowing when to sell, scale, or step aside Mentoring entrepreneurs and expanding access to real estate investing Becoming the CEO of your own life Connect with Trixy Castro Trixy Castro on LinkedIn  

Arturo Gomez has spent more than 25 years creating extraordinary experiences, from shaping Chicago's nightlife and restaurant scene to building businesses in private aviation and luxury travel. But his journey began far from private jets and exclusive destinations. Growing up in Lansing, Michigan, as a first-generation Mexican American, Arturo learned the importance of family, hard work, and the courage to pursue opportunities beyond the familiar. In this conversation with Pedro A. Guerrero, Arturo reflects on the unexpected path that took him from studying biology at the University of Michigan to bartending in Chicago. What began as a way to pay rent launched a remarkable hospitality career. After joining a nightclub whose opening-night guests included Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Derek Jeter, Arturo quickly rose from managing barbacks to running the operation. He eventually helped build a hospitality company with nearly 1,000 employees and tens of millions in annual revenue. Yet after two decades of success, he began wondering whether he could build something entirely new. That next chapter began with an unlikely problem: convincing his pregnant wife to let him attend a Michigan football game weeks after their daughter's expected birth. His solution was to charter a private jet, sell the remaining seats to fellow alumni, and return home that night. The $11,500 flight inspired Big Game Air and eventually Triumph Jets. Arturo discusses the risks of leaving an established career, betting on yourself, and how his latest venture, Taya Travel, is redefining luxury around something even the wealthiest people cannot buy more of: time. Arturo also explores the future of luxury travel, the transfer of generational wealth, and why human connection will become increasingly valuable in an automated world. He reflects on his family's journey between Mexico and the United States and the sacrifices that shaped his identity. When Pedro asks him to define the story of the Latino majority, Arturo chooses one word: resiliency. His journey reflects the courage to forge your own path, overcome obstacles, and never forget where you came from.   Topics Discussed in This Episode Growing up Mexican American in Michigan and discovering his family's immigration history From aspiring dentist to helping build Chicago's nightlife and restaurant industry Why Arturo walked away from a successful hospitality career to bet on himself How an $11,500 private jet charter sparked an entirely new business Building Triumph Jets and Taya Travel around exceptional experiences and the value of time The future of luxury travel, human connection, and Latino resiliency Connect with Arturo Gomez Arturo Gomez on LinkedIn  

Daniel Gamba has spent more than three decades helping shape the global investment industry, from building BlackRock's Latin America business to leading major investment organizations and now serving in a senior role at Franklin Templeton. But his understanding of markets and risk began long before Wall Street. Growing up in Peru during political violence and hyperinflation, Daniel experienced an economy where prices could change by the hour. Those years gave him an enduring sense of perspective—and an appreciation for family, opportunity, and stability. In this conversation with Pedro A. Guerrero, Daniel reflects on a career shaped by opportunity and moments when others underestimated him. After becoming head of the Americas for a major ETF business, U.S. clients repeatedly declined to meet with him despite his responsibility for billions of dollars they had invested. That changed when Daniel appeared on the cover of Barron's in 2015 and many of those same clients suddenly wanted meetings. The experience reinforced something Daniel has carried throughout his career: leadership has to be earned, and sometimes succeeding means proving people wrong. Daniel also shares the lessons that changed how he communicates and leads. After missing out on a leadership position with the CFA Institute, he sought feedback and discovered the issue wasn't his expertise—it was his communication style. The experience produced three rules he still follows: speak slow, speak less, and speak last. Daniel discusses why feedback is a gift and how his philosophy evolved toward servant leadership. The conversation also turns to investing, where he explains why time in the market matters more than trying to time the market and how artificial intelligence, tokenization, and the convergence of public and private markets could shape the future of finance. Ultimately, Daniel sees enormous opportunity in the next generation of Latino professionals. He describes Latino talent as hardworking, creative, resilient, and capable of bringing different perspectives to investment teams. His advice is to find work you are passionate about, surround yourself with people who believe in you, and take opportunities even when you don't feel completely prepared. When Pedro asks Daniel to give the Latino story in America a title, his answer captures both his journey and the legacy he hopes to create: From Opportunity to Opportunity. Seize opportunity, create opportunity, and multiply opportunity—not only for yourself, but for those who come next.   Topics Discussed in This Episode Growing up in Peru during political instability and hyperinflation Being underestimated and the Barron's cover that changed how clients viewed him The career-changing lesson to speak slow, speak less, and speak last Why time in the market matters more than trying to time the market How AI, tokenization, and private markets could reshape investing Daniel's philosophy to seize, create, and multiply opportunity Connect with Daniel Gamba Daniel Gamba on LinkedIn Franklin Templeton  

Fernando de Leon's perspective on business, family, and opportunity was shaped long before he became a successful entrepreneur. Growing up between Matamoros and Brownsville, surrounded by a sprawling family of tíos, primos, and primas, Fernando learned that family stories were more than memories—they showed him what was possible. For him, family and work ethic remain the two pillars of the American Latino story and the foundation of a community that has spent generations building businesses, roads, schools, and communities across the country. In this conversation with Pedro A. Guerrero, Fernando reflects on his experience with the American dream and makes the case that the next chapter of Latino economic progress must move beyond hard work toward ownership. He describes capital as a supply chain that Latinos need greater access to and argues that building lasting wealth means owning more businesses, real estate, financial services, and other assets that create long-term economic influence. Fernando's drive comes from experiences his children will never have to endure. After losing his father at 12, his family faced deep financial hardship, including months when tortillas with butter were breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Fernando sees that early adversity as formative, giving him the grit to solve problems and recognize opportunity—qualities that eventually helped turn a teenage job translating for American developers in Matamoros into his first ownership stake in real estate. That opportunity came through his grandmother, Amparo del Fierro, a widowed mother of seven who ran a farm and ranch with little formal education and an extraordinary capacity for work. At 13 or 14, Fernando used her connection with a local union leader to solve a permitting problem that had stalled a development for years. He secured the approval, negotiated a 7.5 percent ownership stake, and became a partner. Today, Fernando wants stories like his to become part of the broader American narrative—not simply as examples of individual success, but as evidence of what becomes possible when Latinos move from building for others to building and owning for themselves. Topics Discussed in This Episode How family storytelling shaped Fernando's worldview His perspective on immigration, technology, and economic anxiety Why Fernando believes the next step for Latinos is asset ownership Understanding capital as a "supply chain of money" Moving from working inside businesses to owning them Navigating identity and belonging as a border child The influence of his grandmother, Amparo del Fierro Becoming a translator for American developers as a teenager Turning a solved permitting problem into his first ownership stake Why successful Latino stories need greater visibility in America Connect with Fernando de Leon Leon Capital Group Fernando de Leon on LinkedIn AVANCE Global  

Memo Ochoa has spent more than two decades representing Mexico on some of soccer's biggest stages, becoming one of the most recognizable Mexican athletes of his generation. But when he looks back on his career, the moments that matter most aren't necessarily the saves, matches, or trophies. They're the connection he built with the people he represented—and the pride and affection they have returned after years of watching him carry Mexico's flag around the world. In this conversation with Pedro A. Guerrero, Ochoa reflects on the unique pressure of being a goalkeeper, where one mistake can change a match and there may still be 80 minutes left to play. He shares how self-criticism, accountability, and learning to let go of mistakes shaped his career. That experience also influenced his approach to leadership: rather than being the loudest voice on the field, Ochoa has tried to project calm and confidence, lead through example, and become the player his teammates can look toward when pressure is at its highest. That sense of responsibility extends beyond his teammates. Ochoa reflects on the extraordinary support he has received from Latino fans in the United States, describing a community that continued to show up, fill stadiums, and support him through both success and disappointment. As his playing career approaches its final chapters, he is thinking increasingly about how to return that support and remain connected to the communities that have embraced him. The conversation ultimately turns toward what Ochoa wants to build beyond professional soccer. Through investments and his work with WAME Sports, he is helping create opportunities for young athletes by bringing technology, organization, statistics, video, psychological resources, and greater visibility to amateur sports. For Ochoa, success doesn't require every child to become a professional athlete. If sports can lead a young person toward education, a career, stronger habits, or a better life, that is success. And when Pedro asks what kind of legacy he hopes to leave 10 or 20 years from now, Ochoa's answer is simple: to be remembered as someone who used sport to help improve his community.   Topics Discussed in This Episode What Memo values most after more than two decades representing Mexico The sacrifices behind carrying the pride and expectations of a country Why goalkeepers have to become their own coach and psychologist Learning to accept mistakes, remain self-critical, and let go Why Memo prefers leading through example rather than volume The goalkeepers who inspired him, from Buffon and Casillas to Adolfo Ríos Giving back to the communities that supported him throughout his career Preparing financially and professionally for life after soccer How WAME Sports is working to digitize and expand opportunities in amateur sports Why success in youth sports means more than producing professional athletes Connect with Memo Ochoa Memo Ochoa on Instagram Memo Ochoa on X WAME Sports