My Entrepreneurship Story


“My Entrepreneurship Story” is based on my own experiences. Since the age of 15 (I’m 49 now) I worked at numerous restaurants and in various positions from dishwasher, cook, server, to general manager. Three of those years I worked for my uncle who owned a pizza place on Madeira Beach in St. Petersburg, Florida. After working 80+ hours a week for three years I came to the realization that I could be doing the work for myself, so without my uncle’s blessing I ventured off on my own.

In 1996 at the age of 26, I saved up $10,000 of my own money/credit cards and took out a bank loan for $37,000 to land my first restaurant in College Park, FL (downtown Orlando). Before there was a Sports Bar on every corner, (maybe every other corner) I had an idea of marrying two concepts; take a tried and true old school concept, authentic brick oven Brooklyn New York Pizza and combine it with a Sports Bar atmosphere with full bar and a TV wherever you looked. Being a musician since the age of 13 I added my personal love, live music to complete the equation. After 11 successful years, I was able to purchase the restaurant property itself, and was even awarded best pizza in the Orlando Sentinel 5 times (4 of the years were in a row). In 2006, I sold the business and property for $1,175,000. Two more locations were soon to follow.

Although ENT3003 was one of my required courses, I would have taken it anyways. The majority of my life I have always inspired to do my own thing and find small business fascinating. Everyone has a different take and outlook on creative concepts and ideas. The learning process never ends, much like being a musician, you never stop learning. My entrepreneur venture started at a young age without any training and a GED, I made it up as I went along (being young and not knowing any better can sometimes be a positive). I had always regretted not finishing school and wondered what it would be like to add a “real education” to “real world experience,” well here it goes!

















Comments

  1. ItaflamingoFebruary 1, 2020 at 9:31 PM

    I find your experiences extremely considering you actually went backwards compared to most young college students who go to school first then venture out on their own. Instead of using your basic knowledge your using your experience to help you grasp basic knowledge about entrepreneurship.I also like how you used your love for music as inspiration to help you add ideas to your restaurants. I think your past experience makes your story that much more interesting.

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    Replies
    1. Richard AlfonsoFebruary 1, 2020 at 9:41 PM

      Thanks for the compliment ! I tried going to school after getting my GED (age 19) but my head wasn't in it. I would have wasted my time and money. Big difference now finishing with almost a 4.0 leaving community college. Hopefully my luck holds at UF. lol

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  2. Yuma FukamiFebruary 3, 2020 at 6:48 AM

    Hi RA. This is an amazing post! I'm so excited to see your future; combination of education and experience. In my opinion, your successful point is that you tried to make your own restaurant matched with local people's needs and you installed your personal hobby into your restaurant!! I suppose your restaurant is what the local people need, want and like. Your post makes me feel like going to your restaurant! Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience.

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