Starting from Scratch in the U.S.: A Cuban Entrepreneur's Journey from Zero to Leading a School with Over 50,000 Students

Adalberto Ravelo arrived in Miami from Cuba at the age of 37, facing the daunting task of starting anew. Initially, he worked in construction and at Bongo's Cuban Café, experiencing a significant setback when he lost $50,000 with his first insurance agency. Despite these challenges, he eventually founded Dolphy School, an institution specializing in insurance, taxes, and accounting, which boasts over 50,000 students to date.

Now, at 63, this seasoned Cuban entrepreneur offers insights to a question many immigrants ponder upon arriving in the United States: How does one begin when resources are scarce?

During the third episode of $how me the mon€y, a podcast featuring Cuban entrepreneurs on CiberCuba, host Katia Sánchez asked Ravelo, "If you suddenly lose everything and have to start from scratch, where do you begin?" Without hesitation, Ravelo replied, "Anywhere. I still have six, seven, or eight different business ideas in my mind."

Advice for Thriving in the U.S.

Here are the eight pieces of advice Ravelo shared for those looking to succeed in the United States:

1. Anything Can Be a Business

"If you’re passionate about making croquetas, then make Cuban croquetas and set up a stand on the corner," Ravelo suggests. In Florida, establishing a corporation can take less than two hours, although the operational requirements vary based on the business type. He also recommends acquiring equipment through platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Amazon to minimize initial costs. "And just like that, your business is running," he asserts.

2. Opt for Short-Term Careers

Ravelo points out that while in Cuba, it might take five or six years to earn a university degree, the United States offers relatively short training programs in fields like insurance, taxes, or real estate. "In less than 90 days, you can become an insurance agent," he notes, though fulfilling licensing requirements is essential.

3. The $20 Piggy Bank

For those claiming they lack funds to start, his advice is straightforward: if you can afford to pay $2,000 or $3,000 monthly for rent, you can spare $20 for a piggy bank. "When you have $500, which is the cost of an insurance course, then buy the course," he advises. "Invest in yourself," he emphasizes, instead of spending $600 on glasses or $1,000 on a shirt.

4. Give Yourself Five Years

Ravelo criticizes those who let five years pass by and then complain about bad luck. Instead, he advocates for visualizing where you want to be in five years. "The only ways to make money are through the lottery, crime, or the method I recommend: working," he states, quoting Pablo Neruda, "Luck is the excuse of losers."

5. The Mirror Exercise

"Look at yourself in the mirror and genuinely question whether your neighbor is at fault or if you are. In reality, it's always you," Ravelo advises. Focus less on others' flaws and more on improving yourself.

6. Ignore the Naysayers

Ravelo spent 10 to 12 hours daily in front of a computer despite lacking IT knowledge, learning to create blogs and websites. A family member called him crazy. "Years later, I told them, look what I've achieved with the 'craziness' you mentioned," he revealed.

7. Accept That Nothing Is Permanent

"There are no stable businesses. You don't create a business to last forever; you create it for 30, 60, 90 days," Ravelo explains. At 63, he began studying artificial intelligence a year and a half ago. His advice: use it, but always personalize and review the output.

8. Learn for Free if You Can't Afford It

"Anyone not learning today, with all the internet offers, simply doesn't want to," Ravelo asserts. YouTube tutorials, artificial intelligence, and countless websites are accessible to all. The challenge, he acknowledges, is filtering out the truly valuable content.

The Immigrant's Journey: From Zero to Success

Ravelo doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of starting over. He recalls crying behind columns at Bongo's Cuban Café, having left a six-year-old daughter in Cuba, whom he wouldn't see again until she was 12. "You arrive here as just a number. Nobody knows you. The connections you had back home are gone," he admits. Yet, he concludes with encouragement: "We are the zero immigrant when we arrive in this country. Becoming the thousandth immigrant takes a journey, but it's achievable."