Molly is joined by Eduardo Rallo, who shares an epic entrepreneurial journey—selling sweets as a child in Mexico to starting a restaurant chain to co-founding the first US-Mexico cross-border VC firm, Brainstorm Ventures, early investor OpenTable and Zappos! Eduardo grew up in Cuernavaca—a small town outside Mexico City with freedom to pretty much do what he wanted as a child.
Son of a refugee from the Spanish Civil War, he attributes his risk-taking and entrepreneurship to his mother and her entrepreneurial family. Unlike most kids, Eduardo was driven to expand his possibilities, and at age 17, he set off for UC San Diego—one family friend the only soul he knew. He recounts early fears and forging a few life, including working through school (a work ethic ingrained as a kid, selling American candies and Hallmark stickers in his hometown…)
Hear how an innocent question at age 10 led him to Harvard Business School. His successful food-based business ventures continued post HBS, when he and friends opened a store selling burrito “wraps”—working 7am to 1am, they had lines out the door from the start and VC funds followed… Eduardo talks vulnerably about his first consulting job post-UCSD as the first Deloitte & Touche employee. Enjoy a defining moment: tasked to use Excel spreadsheet skills that he said he had, but didn’t... (and pulling 3 all-nighters).
Don’t miss Eduardo’s learnings on his entrepreneurial journey, how he and his wife Sylvia partnered in business, and his early mid-life crisis—leading their 10-year plan to achieve their personal and professional goals. Eduardo is moved by bringing ideas and people together to succeed and shares massive gratitude for his diverse international global community.
Privileges he's had in life have made his work with Silicon Valley Foundation meaningful. Many valuable gems, including:
-Balance the trade-offs to create business growth AND maintain healthy relationships.
-Learn to say “no.”
-Organizational skills and discipline to keep routines and prioritize, while staying flexible.
Eduardo’s courage to “have dreams and shoot high,” his work ethic, family focus, and joie de vivre inspire.
He shows the way to succeeding on your terms and being your true and best self.
Molly’s thought for the week: “With privilege comes responsibility.”
