Anthony Aldaño Co-Founder The Amaru GroupWhat do you need to be an entrepreneur?
You need to have a burning desire and passion to do whatever it is that is in your heart.
What inspired you to start your business?
My first company (LatinosStep.com) evolved organically as I was coordinating College Step Shows as a hobby. During my second New York City show I looked out over the amphitheatre at the 1,000 attendees and realized I had stumbled upon something. After working for myself for so long and having an entrepreneurial spirit I want to continue creating unique media properties under my own direction. The Amaru Group is an extension of what I have been doing since 1999, creating media & event properties that reach the New Generation Latino market.
How did you finance it?
LatinosStep.com was financed on credit cards and my Partner Jesus Diaz's dad (for our Miami show.) We produced national college Step Shows for the Latino college market, we usually broke-even with ticket sales. Within three years of launching LatinosStep we were acquired by LatCom Communications, in an equity buy-out. In 2006, LatCom was acquired by Batanga.com a Latino music portal. My latest company The Amaru Group is being financed with our own working capital.
Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?
Being Latino has everything to do with my business. All my relative business success is due to my cultura. All my business models have revolved around the Latino culture and demographic, how to reach them, understand them, market to them and create event properties that cater for them. All of this is relatively easy to do when you are marketing to yourself.
In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
It's important to surround yourself with a solid, smart and hardworking team of people you can trust. Although this isn't easy to find it is always the goal. With these things in place you are better equipped to handle any adversity that comes your way. Knowing that provides the drive to keep going and follow your heart.
What was your childhood ambition?
My childhood ambition was to be a chemist. Then in High School I realized how numbers & formula driven it is, I crossed chemistry off my list.
Tell us about an entrepreneur that you admire?
There are so many I admire Robert Johnson (BET) created the first African-American cable network when no one believed it would succeed, Russel Simmons (Def Jam) pioneered the billion dollar hip-hop industry through managing one of the first commercially successful Rap groups RUN-D-MC and starting a clothing line.
For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
None of the above, I prefer to get straight to business rather than clutter a meeting with a noisy restaurant or little table space.
What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
The money isn't always immediately there as an entrepreneur, but if you're good at what you do then there are some potential big payouts along the way.
What is your favorite quote?
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great". - Mark Twain
Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
I consider myself someone who has followed their heart and has made sound business decisions.
About The Amaru Group:
The Amaru Group has over 30 years of combined experience in launching and managing, media and event properties catered to the Latino College markets. We have developed an expertise in creating unique solutions for thisdemographic.
Find out more about us by visiting www.TheAmaruGroup.com
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