Nationally known author, entrepreneur and Latino business advocate
Charles Garcia says government and nonprofit volunteer service is key to becoming a successful entrepreneur and leader.
"(Business success) is not all about making money for yourself, it's about giving back to your community. If you have an attitude of serving others, you should dedicate your time to bettering society around you and employing your entrepreneurial skills to do so," said Garcia, a former
White House Fellow who served in the prestigious, but little known, leadership training program near the end of the Reagan administration.
Garcia, who lives in south Florida, chronicles the life and professional experiences of more than 200 former fellows - including Gen. Colin Powell - in his book "Leadership Lessons of the White House Fellows." He'll be talking about his book and the 20 leadership lessons it explores at the
Cincinnati Chapter of the National Society of Hispanic MBA's professional development event. The event is June 9th from 6 p.m. to 9 pm at Xavier University’s
Cintas Center. It is free to NSHMBA members and general public attendees who will be given a copy of Garcia's book. Priority seating will be given to NSHMBA members and registered attendees.
Government and nonprofit service on a local, state or national level can offer experiences in fostering community, creativity, and leadership among a group of dynamic people, Garcia said. Often, it offers opportunities to meet potential mentors and influential people who can help you later in your career, he added.
Garcia speaks from experience. He developed and grew an international financial services company geared toward funding Hispanic owned businesses. He sold that company in 2006. It started with a handful of employees and grew into a multinational company with 60 offices in seven countries. In addition Garcia sits on the board of directors of Winn Dixie stores, and in 2001 Florida Gov. Jeb Bush appointed him to the state's Board of Education.
Throughout his years of service he's work alongside a former CEO of Goldman Sachs, a VP of General Motors and a former L.A. Times publisher. It's those relationships and others that he believes have given him insight into running a successful, multinational business.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Charles Garcia, entrepreneur and author of Leadership Lessons of the White House Fellows
You can follow Feoshia on twitter
@feoshiasoapbox
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.