Season 25 Episode 517
Think Engage Thrive E23 Entrepreneur Joel Gandara Tells His Journey
Joel was born in Cuba and arrived to the United States in 1980 on an overcrowded boat. Growing up in a family that lived below the poverty line, Joel's entrepreneurial spirit emerged early out of necessity.
At the age of 10, Joel began buying and reselling products, learning valuable life lessons along the way. Despite limited free time after working up to 100 hours a week following high school, Joel's determination never waned.
One pivotal moment came when Joel took a risk and bought clothing samples at a garage sale, turning a small investment into a $3,000 profit. This experience sparked Joel's passion for smart investing.
Through hard work and discipline, Joel saved enough to purchase his first home at just 22 years old, renting out extra rooms to cover the mortgage. He transitioned his little side hustle from selling at flea markets to eBay, eventually starting a successful wholesale business importing apparel from Mexico.
Joel's journey led to creating his own apparel brand, achieving $1 million in sales in just 13 months. His company continued to grow, developing and acquiring numerous brands.
Joel firmly believes in the payoff of hard work, and thanks to just that, he grew his business to generate many millions in annual sales. In 2023 Joel sold off his largest 2 businesses and retired to become an inspirational and very successful coach. He's come a long way from his early days of toiling for every dollar.
Joel's life has been a testament to the American dream, marked by challenges that shaped his gratitude for the opportunities he's been able to build. Today, Joel leverages his business knowledge and life experience to help others achieve their dreams.
