I grew up in a magical place. As a kid, I chased butterflies, celebrated carnivals and revered the three kings who visited baby Jesus. I also believed in all sorts of tales: Ciguapas, Chupacabras, ghosts and many others. 

My environment was rough, rich and wonderous. So, it is unsurprising that weeks into my first college semester, I had my ‘coffee cup read’ by a fortune teller who promised to reveal my future. 

She walked in with a limp on the hip, her white floral dress carrying a faint scent of tobacco. Without saying a word, she sat across from me, the small table between us, and held my now practically empty coffee cup. Her gaze intense and focused. 

I waited… 

With a practiced motion, she swirled the cup clockwise, turned it upside-down, looked in and spoke. Her words echoed parts of my young past I had never told her. And then, she delivered the words that would stay with me forever: “You will fly one day, and tall men will bring you richness.” Those words sparked within me a belief that I was destined for more. 

By the end of our session, I was rejuvenated, believing that her readings would come true. That belief, that seed of hope, sparked my unlikely journey. 

The tall men 

Eighteen months after that encounter, clutching my tightly packed portfolio of dreams and fears, I boarded a plane for the first time in my life and headed to New York City to continue my studies. That flight perfectly fulfilled the first part of her prophecy.  

As to the second part, the tall men she spoke of came to light slowly; first, there was the university official, who, despite my non-existent English language skills, still thought I was worthy of a scholarship.  

The dean at my alma mater, Altos De Chavon, believed in me more than I believed in myself. Stephen and his lovely wife Erika supported me during my early years in New York, filling my soul with Leonard Cohen songs and my pockets with unnecessary cat-sitting gigs.  

Leslie Segal, my first boss and design legend who brought aesthetics to the corporate reporting industry, to hear him speak of me, one would have thought I was the shining light guiding Moses. Even when I felt far from it, his daily affirmations became the foundation of my confidence in this industry. 

The English emissary, David Stewart, to whom I owe much. My mentor, counselor, business partner and eternal friend. He took me under his wing and gave me a space to come into my own. 

The immensely talented Vincent Roffers took a chance on this unknown fellow Jesuit to rebuild a formidable company that is more joyful, modern and capable. His trust demarks a before and after in my journey. 

Then, there is Dan Koh—my dearest friend and business partner. More than anyone outside my nuclear family, his enormous talent, humility, decency, patience and love panned out the one ounce of golden dust in me. Because of him, I am learning to take flight—to become. 

As my career unfolded, these tall men came to encompass the remarkable people who have walked with me along the way: the Agenda employees, former and current, who so deeply enriched my life with their skills, friendships and generosity. Without them, I’d be playing the proverbial Dominoes under a mango tree. 

The clients I’ve had the privilege of working with throughout my career—clients whose faces come into my mind in a stream of consciousness and without last names—Bill, Brian, Carl, Carol, Celia, Erin, Elisa, Kate, Katie, Larry, Leslie, Matt, Michelle, Steph, Rick, Valerie and so many others. Their trust and support have been invaluable to my growth.

The endless group of talented writers, designers, illustrators, videographers, photographers and freelancers of all stripes. Bookkeepers, accountants and lawyers too who kept me safe in their knowledge and expertise.

Magic found. 

I don’t know what became of that fortune teller. I wish I could tell her the wide-eyed kid took that plane, and an army of people of all stripes turned up.  

I wish I could tell her that 25 years ago in New York City, that kid co-founded an award-winning branding firm with his mentor and best friend, hired and nurtured hundreds of incredibly talented people, built long-lasting friendships, worked with inspiring clients and eventually became CEO.  

I wish I could tell her that the kid persevered, holding on to her words in times of difficulty and self-doubt, surrounding himself with men and women of great stature in skill and kindness. 

I wish I could tell her that on the 25th anniversary of Agenda’s formation, the wide-eyed kid who once believed in ghosts and chased butterflies found something far more real; that it took a while, but he understood that his fortune was not wealth or fame. His true fortune was in the magic of the people who guided, supported and shaped his journey.  

In them, he found his riches. 

To them, he owes everything.