Once in Miami, Estefan moved into

a small apartment that was shared with 15 other family members. Never one to sit patiently, Estefan quickly be- gan coming up with ideas on how to make some money. He began running errands for his Cuban neighbors out

Excerpt

The Rhythm of Success:

How an Immigrant Produced His Own American Dream

By: Emilio Estefan

Excerpted with permission from Celebra, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., copyright 2010.

Chapter 1: Taking Responsibility

I’m an entrepreneur, and all entre-

preneurs are alike in certain ways. I can think of four: We’re risk takers, we’re big thinkers, we’re creative, and we’re resourceful. Perhaps there’s another: We can’t sit still; we’re a little bit impatient. But I’m going to put these ideas to one side for a minute (be patient!) and talk about one thing I think we don’t all share.

What not all entrepreneurs have

is a sense of responsibility, whether it’s for themselves, the project at hand, or the people who work for them. One of my most deeply held beliefs is that responsibility is a vital feature in the makeup of an entre- preneur. And it’s not just important for people who want to get ahead in business. Anyone who wants to achieve anything at all has to stand up, make decisions, and be account- able for them. When we’re young we’re respon-

sible for only ourselves. Childhood should be carefree and full of joy.

48 HISPANIC NETWORK MAGAZINE

As we grow up, more is added to our plates until they’re full to bursting. As part of a family you share at least some re- sponsibility for the well- being of everyone. For a kid that may just mean doing chores and helping out around the house. Then when you get a job you have duties people are relying on you to do properly. By the time you’ve started your own fam- ily there’s serious pressure to provide for your loved ones. I’ve always had a very strong sense of responsibility. I think it first hit me that day I stood outside my parents’ door and heard them talk about our future. I made a decision—that I’d have to be the one who would get my family out of the country—and I stood by my decision until I had finished the task. That’s taking responsibility. I was forced to make this decision

and behave like a grown-up at an early age because I knew my father wasn’t going to act. I loved my father

Celebrating 18 Years of Diversity

to death—he taught me so much—but he wasn’t a man who took respon- sibility like that. He was a professional gambler who lived life minute by min- ute. He made no plans for the future because he thought the future would take care of itself, which it does if you leave every- thing to chance. He was

an extraordinarily generous man, and he taught me that giving was better than receiving. All his life, if my father ever had any money, he’d give it away. Even when we were down and out, if he had two dollars, he would give one away. Years later, when we were together in Miami, I’d give him things—fancy watches, expensive cars—and I’d never see them again. He’d hand them over to someone he thought needed it more than he did. My dad wanted to die with one pair of shoes and one suit to his name, and he did, despite my best efforts.

of his run down car and then began holding beauty competitions where he charged entrance fees. The responsible young Estefan soon convinced his un- cle who went against one of his aunt’s wishes to help him purchase an accor- dion at a music store. Little did any-

body know that that accordion would be the very beginning for the career of a very successful and famous entrepre- neur.

Estefan played the accordion at a

local Italian restaurant for tips while working in the mailroom at Bacardi

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