5 Tips for Latinx Entrepreneurs from the Founders of Drift | Startup Cuba TV

In our Latinx Founders Series, David Cancel and Elias Torres are the Latinx co-founders of Drift, a 6-year-old tech startup worth at least $350 million. David Cancel and Elias Torres chat with Ken Deckinger and Zuzy Martin-Aly.

I knew it would be exciting to interview David Cancel and Elias Torres, the Latinx co-founders of Drift, a six-year old tech startup worth an estimated $350 million (as of its last valuation, although today, probably much, much more). But what I didn’t realize was how much fun it would be!

It’s important to understand the power of chemistry in any relationship, especially a business relationship that requires hard work, honest communication, and dedication…

The Puerto Rican/Ecuadorian and Nicaraguan duo sat down with Startup Cuba to talk about their roller-coaster journey through the alluring and crazy world of entrepreneurship. We got into what it means to be an immigrant entrepreneur, why being Latinx gives them an advantage, and how other Latino startup founders can succeed in an environment that typically tends to look very different from them.

David and Elias are sharp, experienced, and very inspiring. They shared super insightful and personal experiences to help us understand what it takes to be a successful Latinx entrepreneur, and also gave Ken and I some great tips to make our partnership stronger.

It’s all in the video above ⬆️.

1. Up Level, Level Up

Expose yourself to people that are doing things and experiencing life at a level above what you want, and you’ll you get there before you know it. David reminds us that we’re the average of the five people we spend the most time with. So, to better yourself, spend time with people who have experiences you can observe and learn from. As human beings, we have to model somewhere. Engage with people a level up from you, then model your way there.

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David Cancel talks about the importance of chemistry in a startup team.

2. Chemistry Matters

Plenty of start-up founders fail as partners and it’s not because they’re not bright enough. It’s because they just couldn’t work together or figure things out as co-founders. It’s important to understand the power of chemistry in any relationship, especially a business relationship that requires hard work, honest communication, and dedication on a level unlike anything else.

Follow your instincts and weigh chemistry as you would other credentials in forming a partnership.

Related Post: Our Behind the Scenes Debrief Video From the David Cancel and Elias Torres Interview

3. Your Strengths = Your Weaknesses

Know your strengths, but understand that your greatest strengths are also your weaknesses. Awareness of this is half the battle. Know when you need to either dial up or dial back your strength. If you don’t have awareness they will take over. Elias can talk to anybody. He’s learned over the years when to dial it up and when to dial it down. David is an introvert so he’s learned to market and sell to be an effective CEO.

Photo credit: Drift

4. Stay Positive Every Day

Being an entrepreneur has many ups and downs. And while product and business are important, the exercise of managing your psychology is key. More than anything, it’s critical to wake up and focus on what’s going right and stay positive to keep flowing with that momentum every day.

Elias Torres reminds us to stay positive and not let the past define us.

5. Chase Your Own Version of Success!

The American Dream is very much alive. As Latinxers or anyone chasing dreams that are different from those of others around you (watch the video for David’s crabs-in-the-pot reference), you may experience pushback from those closest to you. Don’t be afraid to grow and define your own version of success. Life is always changing. Change and grow with it.

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