Aquila Capital Partners

Austin &
New York City

The 2024 trends every founder needs to watch

In our rapidly evolving world, change is the only constant. Yet, 2024 stands out not merely as a year of challenges, but as one of extraordinary possibilities.  The current startup landscape is a dynamic mix of technological advancements, evolving workplace trends, and shifting macroeconomic conditions. More specifically, these three major trends are poised to disrupt […]

The Power of Gratitude

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it takes a village to keep a family together, too. I recently celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary with my wife, AnaPaula, but instead of celebrating just the two of us, we gathered family, our family priest, and a couple of friends who were with […]

From Team Leader to Enterprise Leader: Navigating the Leadership Spectrum

Leadership transcends task execution. It’s a journey from managing details to envisioning futures, stretching from the focused responsibilities of a team leader to the expansive vision of an enterprise leader.  As leaders evolve from managing small teams to guiding entire companies, they traverse a spectrum of leadership roles, each demanding a unique blend of skills, […]

Building tomorrow’s leaders –– the nuances of succession planning

Succession planning is the double-edged sword of business: essential for continuity, yet fraught with complexity. We often see leadership transitions making headlines. But behind those announcements should lie a meticulous process, filled with strategy and foresight.  When I was building my second business, my understanding of succession planning was profoundly shaped by two influential figures: […]

It’s lonely at the top—What business leaders can do about it

It’s crowded at the base, but lonely at the summit. Mainstream culture regularly celebrates the ascent to the top ranks of business leadership, highlighting the success stories and lucrative rewards. But building a successful business with multiple organizational layers often means facing a reality many don’t discuss: the loneliness of leadership.  Whether you’re launching a […]

5 Leadership Lessons I Learned from Competitive Sailing

It’s interesting how I got into sailing, which was completely accidental. My dad gave me a Sunfish at age 10, which is pretty easy to sail. I was scared to death to capsize it, but my dad wouldn’t allow me to sail on my own until I flipped the boat over then back up. When […]