Key West has always been my escape. Just four hours from Miami, but it feels like a different world. The pace slows down, the sunsets hit different, and there's something about being at the southernmost point of the continental US that puts things in perspective.
This week feels different though. It's been six weeks since I left my corporate job, and this is my last week of "freedom" before the real work begins. I use quotes because true freedom, for me, isn't sitting on a beach - it's building something meaningful. But I've learned that taking a breath before a sprint isn't weakness, it's wisdom.
Walking down Duval Street, watching the street performers and tourists, I can't help but think about all the small businesses here. The restaurants, shops, tour operators - they're all trying to make it work in paradise. These are exactly the kinds of businesses Profit Leap will help. They have passion and products, but most struggle with the financial side of growth. That's where we come in.
There's something poetic about planning a financial technology company from a hammock. While everyone else is here to disconnect, I'm here to reconnect - with my purpose, my energy, my drive. Every sunset I watch from Mallory Square reminds me why I'm doing this. Life is short, opportunities are fleeting, and if you have the chance to build something that matters, you take it.
Key West taught me something important years ago: paradise isn't a place, it's a state of mind. For some, it's sailing into the sunset. For me, it's building a company that empowers other entrepreneurs to succeed. The irony isn't lost on me - I'm in one of the most laid-back places in America, planning to work harder than I've ever worked before.
Tomorrow I head back to Miami, and Monday begins the journey. But tonight, I'll enjoy one more sunset, one more Cuban coffee, one more moment of calm before the storm. Because once I start, there's no looking back. Profit Leap isn't just a business idea anymore - it's my mission, and I can't wait to begin.