From Brooklyn Blocks to Boardrooms: A Kid’s Journey to Business Success

Written by: Brianna Sepulveda

If you think back, 30 years ago the economic climate and how people viewed success was completely different from nowadays. The business world has changed profoundly, providing more tools, technology, and resources than at any time in the past. While entrepreneurs now enjoy digital platforms and worldwide connectivity, prior entrepreneurs had to contend with more obstacles with less assistance. Their paths were characterized by perseverance, fortitude, and determination that set the stage for today's easier entrepreneurial space. 

A Puerto Rican kid who grew up in Brooklyn NY, that grew a business into a blissful profession future generations will carry on. Growing up in Bushwick in the 80’s was completely different to what it would've been growing up there now. The standards were low, and people didn't necessarily believe that someone who grew up the way he did could accomplish such astonishing things. Opportunities were limited alongside people's choices for careers.  

Pete Sepulveda didn't have the greatest of childhoods. His mother worked for an HIV office for ten years then later moved to a computer warehouse where she worked till retirement. His father, Peter Sepulveda Sr., was unemployed, falling into the deep world of drugs, and had no concern to provide for his family. As his mother was the sole provider for the family, times were tough. He inevitably struggled. However, with all the gang violence, drugs, and devastation going on around him, he had a vision for himself that went beyond that.  

Throughout his adolescence, boxing was his biggest interest. He had hoped and dreamed of becoming a professional boxer as he admired those in the highest position of boxing. He constantly looked up to fighter like Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, etc. There was a small boxing gym ran by a man, who said approached Sepulveda claiming, “you’ve got some moves kid, I want to train you.” Hearing this for the first time after living a life of uncertainty, it was the path towards the light he needed. After months of training, paying for his own training with his income from working at Toys R Us, it wasn't affordable anymore. None of his family members were able to help him. This haunted him all his life.  

At the end of high school, Sepulveda had to retake senior year meanwhile all of his friends went on to graduate. He had felt like a failure. It was a setback. Despite the discouragement of being left back, he did “the right thing” as he said. Queens Borough College accepted him; this is where he received his Associate of applied science in accounting.  

During this time of accomplishing his associates, he was working at a small fire safety company learning the ins and outs of owning a business. Mike Rose, the CEO of Academy Fire, was Pete’s biggest inspiration and what he aspired to be in life. Mr. Rose was driving lavish cars and living in a beautiful mansion in New Jersey. “I learned quite a bit from him and learned to be the CEO that I am today, from him.” He was always remembered fondly in Pete’s heart and mind.  

In 2007, Pete decided to dive headfirst into opening the business of his life, SOS Maintenace. The company's goal was to, “Providing trustworthy, quality and honorable service to corporations, who are looking for great service competitive pricing and a great

partnership.” It was the biggest risk taken in his life. His own family doubted him greatly. Pete’s father told him, “That business isn't going to work out, he thinks he can do this, and he can't.” Hearing that from a father, which is supposed to be one of your biggest supporters, he crushed Sepulveda, but he had to walk through the fire just like a firefighter.  

As a CEO, you are responsible for basically everything that the company entails. He hired a COO, Juana Mercedes, that took care of the payroll, accounting, and severe issues. 

In the beginning it was rough, finding clients, honorable employees, and navigating being a CEO for the first time. However, he constantly remembered back to why he started to do it in the first place, “I did it for my legacy, my family, and my family's legacy.”  

Time was on Sepulveda’s side. Clearly, struggles occur when starting a business, but there are also many positives that take place. Sepulveda said, “Negatives are that you are the one person in the entire company that is accountable for all actions, whether they were caused by employees, customers or vendors. The positives are you wreak the benefits more than any person in the company. For example, better salaries, control of overall growth, and dividends at the end of the year, or possible bonuses.” Owning a business comes with a multitude of responsibilities that Sepulveda succeeded at easily.  

The company excelled in creating different teams and managers to handle all crucial components of the work entailed. Overall, they are a maintenance company that can handle any type of plumbing, electrical, and handyman work. They work with many well-known stores and restaurants all over the world. For instance, one of their clients is 7-11! Every manager is capable of handling the billing or emergency to take care of a certain client if they're in crisis. 

Mr. Sepulveda was asked, where do you see your company in 5 years? He stated, “I see us growing to a $40 million revenue, being able to attract bigger companies in attempts to sell off the company, possibly be acquired by a much bigger company. That's all.” Clearly, he is reaching for the stars and won't stop until he has done so. That type of determination and motivation within a CEO is needed.  

Having grown up in troubled or impoverished neighborhoods has its own share of challenges— limited resources, reduced opportunities, and daily challenges that can overwhelm you. And yet those challenges can also create grit and a sense of resilience and work ethic. And if you approach it all with the right attitude, resources, and grit, you can overcome those challenges and achieve way more than your starting neighborhood might lead you to believe. Where you're from may not dictate where you'll be.