Episode 217
Released September 18, 2025
Guest: Jose Berlanga - From Trauma to Triumph: Building Multiple Successful Businesses
Website: https://joseberlanga.com
Episode Overview
In this episode, Sue Firth interviews Jose Berlanga, a Houston-based entrepreneur who has built success across multiple industries despite facing significant early-life challenges. From overcoming severe childhood trauma to creating thriving businesses in real estate, construction, food service, and petrochemicals, Jose shares his unique perspective on entrepreneurship, resilience, and the art of building successful partnerships.
Key Topics Discussed
Overcoming Early Challenges
- Childhood trauma and severe burns that shaped Jose's resilient mindset
- Learning difficulties including ADD, dyslexia, and anxiety
- How Jose transformed perceived weaknesses into entrepreneurial strengths
- The power of looking beyond immediate problems toward solutions
The Entrepreneurship Mindset
- Why Jose considers himself a "deal maker" rather than an inventor
- The importance of understanding your role in the business world
- Building reputation through accountability and hard work
- The difference between dreaming about success and taking action
Business Strategy & Partnership
- Why partnerships are crucial in today's fast-paced business environment
- The art of assembling teams with complementary skills
- How Jose attracted partners by establishing credibility early on
- Building "much bigger companies" through strategic collaboration
Key Success Principles
- Diversified Skill Requirements: Modern executives need knowledge across sales, marketing, legal, finance, distribution, and psychology
- Time Management: Treating different business departments like children who need equal attention
- Avoiding Common Pitfalls: The danger of focusing only on areas you're good at while neglecting others
- Purpose Over Profit: Why passion and mission matter more than financial motivation alone
Learning from Failure
- Jose's honest discussion about multiple business failures
- Why success requires perfect alignment of many factors (timing, team, market, concept)
- The critical importance of understanding your "why" in any venture
- How lack of passion and purpose leads to failure
Current Projects & Future Vision
- Transitioning from day-to-day operations to mentorship and writing
- Published Work: "The Business of Home Building" (available now)
- Upcoming Release: "Dirt Rich" (launching soon)
- In Progress: "Quantum Entrepreneurship" (expected later this year)
Notable Quotes from Jose
"I'm a proponent of turning bad things into opportunities."
"You cannot teach people to want things... you cannot convince someone to become ambitious; that has to come from you."
"Success means that a lot of things had to align and all these stars had to work together in harmony."
"Most of my failures in my career were due to my lack of understanding why I was doing what I was doing."
"Life is a mathematical problem, an ongoing equation where it never ends, and it shouldn't end."
Key Takeaways for Listeners
- Identify Your Business Role: Understand whether you're an inventor, technician, financial expert, or team builder
- Embrace Strategic Partnerships: Success is rarely a solo journey in today's business environment
- Balance Multiple Priorities: Give equal attention to all business areas, not just your strengths
- Lead with Purpose: Passion and mission must drive business decisions, with profit as a natural consequence
- View Failure as Education: Every setback provides valuable lessons for future success
- Never Stop Reinventing: Continuous learning and growth are essential throughout your career
Resources Mentioned
Connect with The Executive Edge
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Note: Jose Berlanga will return later this year to discuss his upcoming book "Quantum Entrepreneurship" in greater detail.
