Dear Jonah

I was reading the latest issue of Worth magazine & saw something that caught my eye. Their last page is a Playboy style 20 questions with an entrepreneur. I thought the questions were good, so I decided to do my own for myself. I’ll revisit it every few years and see if my answers change.

Favorite Entrepreneur?

Warren Buffet

Favorite Restaurant

Mercadito

Wine, Beer or Spirits?

Spirits. I’ve been a tequila drinker for about 13 years. Chinaco is my favorite. If not that, then a nice Pinot Noir

Favorite City in the U.S.?

Chicago aside, it has to be NYC.

Globally?

Porto Alegre, Brazil for obvious reasons.

How many days do you spend on the road?

Up until recently, it’s been about 20 for business. For pleasure, I’ve been averaging about 21 days

Private or Commercial

Ha…. commercial of course with as much leg room as I can afford.

How much do you sleep?

6 hours minimum, but I try and get 7 most nights.

What’s on your nightstand?

My kindle. Queued up are a lot of books about management, lean/kanban and other geeky topics

Last music you listened to?

“Watchu want from me?” – Homeboy Sandman

First website you check everyday?

Finance, banking & news websites. Varies from day to day

Favorite clothing?

It’s a splurge, but has to be my Barbour jacket from Jack Spade. Fits like a glove and works great. Will last me decades.

What do you wear to work?

Jeans, nice shoes & a polo or sweater. Occasionally a button down, but always untucked & sleeves rolled. I brag that the first suit I owned was for my wedding.

Unjustifiable extravagance?

Has to be my vinyl toy collection. I’m really into some of the underground artists like Huck Gee, Carson Catlin, Task Oner, MAD, and VISEone.

Your Watch?

I used to rotate among 6-7 different ones, but since Nov 11th, I only wear one. I bought a Tissot Seastar 1000 for my wedding and I cherish it. It’s my wedding band.

Your Hero?

My dad Carmen.

Your business philosophy?

Doesn’t really differ from my life philosophy: Work hard & chop that wood. When the odds are in your favor, bet and bet big.

What charities do you support?

Several privately. I don’t really like to draw attention. I will say that my willingness to help out is directly proportional to my contact with the recipient. I don’t like foundations that much.

Investment philosophy?

With a few SWAG (Silver, Wine, Art, Gold) exceptions, diversified index funds. I like to balance between domestic, international & bond based.

Best entrepreneurship tip?

Stay away from ‘lotto’ opportunities where you sacrifice yourself for someone else. Everything you do should equally reward you and not unequally reward someone else.