“In January 2023, I embarked on my journey to build a Vistage Group, encouraged by former Chair Mr. Howard Lieberman. Joining the Vistage Academy alongside 57 other prospective chairs, I transitioned from being a CEO to mastering the art of outreach and leadership with the support of my Vistage colleagues. Cold calls became less daunting as I engaged an external marketing company for LinkedIn outreach, expanding my reach to CEOs who could benefit from Vistage. Setbacks only fueled my determination, and with unwavering support from my Vistage team and my wife, I overcame challenges, steadily growing my group from six to eight members, with sights set on 12 and eventually 18. This journey has reinforced that success lies not just in numbers but also in the relationships formed and the unwavering dedication to mutual growth. A special thanks to the Vistage team for helping me launch my group: Aracely Lara, Nicolas Oliveira, and my mentor, Thomas Tomasevic.”