Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andy Prieto. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Have you ever felt like it might have been easier to just have a regular job instead of running a business?

Being an entrepreneur is one of the most exhilarating—and mentally demanding—paths you can take. I’ve been walking that path for over 20 years now. I’ve built successful companies, and I’ve had ventures that didn’t work out. Those ups and downs can create moments where you wonder how different life would be if you had chosen something stable, like the IT career I originally trained for in the military.

But whenever that thought crosses my mind, I always come back to my purpose. Right before my father passed away, he told me, “Son, make the most of your life and help your loved ones as best as you can. Don’t seek perfection—just progress.” Those were his final words to me, and they became my compass.

For me, entrepreneurship isn’t just a career choice—it’s the vehicle that allows me to reach my full potential, create opportunities, and build something meaningful for my family and community. Yes, traditional careers offer stability, degrees, and predictable income, but once you’ve experienced momentum as an entrepreneur, you become almost psychologically unemployable. It’s hard to go back to corporate life when you’ve learned to bet on yourself.

Can you bring our readers up to speed on who you are and what you do?

I’m a business consultant, educational lobbyist, and Marine Corps veteran whose career blends technology, education, and community impact. I was born in Elmhurst, Queens, to Colombian parents from Medellín and Pereira. Growing up in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in New York—and navigating early struggles as an at-risk student—shaped my resilience and my commitment to expanding opportunity for others.

My father passed away when I was 15, and that loss forced me to grow up fast. At 17, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. The discipline, mission focus, and mental toughness I gained there still guide everything I do. After my service, I moved to South Florida and studied computer science online through the University of Georgia. That technical foundation opened the door to entrepreneurship. Over the past two decades, I’ve built partnerships across corporate, education, and sports ecosystems—helping organizations design programs, raise capital, integrate technology, and scale models that improve student outcomes and workforce development.

At Promax Partners, I serve as an educational consultant and project manager, leading business development and innovation across multiple sectors. My work centers on practical solutions—program design, stakeholder engagement, and execution—meeting entrepreneurs and institutions exactly where they are.

In 2014, I also stepped into the world of branding and sports entertainment, contributing to projects like Taming the Beast: The Untold Story of Mike Tyson, which reached over 30 countries.

From 2020 to today, I’ve played a major role with Dade Prep Academy, where we’ve helped more than 2,000 students complete their high school requirements and graduate on time. By working alongside public school administrators, elected officials, and families, we built pathways for students—especially those facing challenges outside the classroom—to persist and succeed.

I’m also deeply committed to youth wellness and drug prevention. I’ve appeared on national podcasts, including an EdChoice interview on private schools and innovation, and collaborated with the Saylors Brothers to produce a motivational documentary on school choice and its impact on communities.

Today, I live in South Florida but stay closely tied to my Queens roots. I’m happily married and the proud father of Elias (13), Sophia (12), and our white Persian kitten, Coco. Everything I do is rooted in perseverance, service, and purpose—values that have guided me from my childhood in Queens to my work in education and community leadership today.

Can you talk to us about your experience with selling businesses?

I have been poor and rich in life several times already, raising over $100 Million USD in my career. What I have learned is you must always trust the process and if you’re a spiritual person, trust in your Creator. Being an entreprenuer is a very difficult process which only teaches yuou patience, and discipline. Even if you never make money or your business takes off, at least you learned good qualities that you can take to any organization. So you either Win or Learn. Doesn’t that seem like a good deal? I learned this hard lesson when I let go of my ego and trusted the process regardless of the monetary results.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

Friends and family. I have always had the support of close individuals who believed in me and my ideas. The most challenging aspect of this initial start-up phase is having to ask for help. We always feel we don’t want to bother anyone or ask for money or a favor. This is ego talking. We need to put that aside and remember that whoever invests early with you also benefits when you succeed. There is always risk in doing business, so don’t make any guarantees to anyone ever.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dadeprep.com
• Instagram: dadeprep
• Facebook: dadeprep01
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/T5I3N70FkMg?si=9MonxZThqSM7er8O
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhjPjpzx4T4

Image Credits

no credits