A year ago, I was lost living a life that wasn’t mine, pursuing goals that didn’t fulfill me. I almost lost everything, including my life, because of it. But I was lucky to have a true friend who never gave up on me, even when I gave up on myself. Manuel brought me back not only to life, but to my true identity. Today, our company is not only one of the most profitable in the region, but also one of the most contributing to social welfare.
We proved that financial success and social responsibility can go hand in hand. More importantly, we proved that it’s never too late to change, to be better, to make a difference. Each one of you is part of this transformation. Manuel, excited, also wanted to speak. My friends, I always believed that work dignifies a person, but here I discovered that work with purpose transforms a person. Rodrigo gave me a second chance at life, and all of you welcomed me like family.
Together we are building not only buildings, but a better future for our children and grandchildren. May our friendship serve as an example that forgiveness, loyalty, and true love can overcome any obstacle. Dr. Velázquez, who was invited to the party, commented with Daniela. Her family has undergone an extraordinary transformation. Her father not only fully recovered, but has become a better person than he was before. Doctor, I believe he was always that person.
I just needed to remember him. And Don Manuel was the instrument of that memory. Their friendship is truly special. As the night wore on, Rodrigo and Manuel moved away from the party and went to talk alone in the garden. Manu, you saved my life twice. 30 years ago by pulling me out from under the rubble, and last year by pulling me out from under the rubble of the man I had become. Rodri, you saved my life too. You gave me purpose, family, a future I never imagined having.
Our partnership worked because it was based on mutual trust and shared values, and because it was never about money, it was always about doing the right thing. The two men embraced, sealing a friendship that had withstood time, pride, social differences, and adversity. You know, Manu? I think my breakdown was the best thing that ever happened to me. Why? Because it forced me to stop and remember what truly matters. It brought me back to you, to my family, to my true values.
Sometimes life needs us to stop so we can see the right path. Exactly. And now we’re on the right path together. Two years later, the Morales San Hernández company had become a national model of corporate responsibility. They had received various awards for their social and environmental practices. Alberto had assumed the presidency of the company, freeing Rodrigo and Manuel to focus more on social projects. Daniela led the sustainability department, which had become a benchmark in the sector.
Patricia presided over the Amistad Verdadera Foundation, which already served more than 1,000 families in situations of social vulnerability. “Rodrigo, do you regret anything?” Patricia asked during a family dinner. “I regret taking so long to have the courage to change, but I don’t regret anything we did afterward. And you, Don Manuel?” Daniela asked. “I regret not having sought out your father sooner. Maybe we could have made this transformation earlier. Anu, things happen at the right time.”
If we had tried before, we might not have succeeded. I needed to mature. I needed to go through everything I went through to appreciate what truly matters. Alberto, who had recently married, was eager to apply family values to the upbringing of his future children. Dad, I want my children to grow up knowing your story. I want them to learn about true friendship, about integrity, about doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult. Alberto, that is the greatest proof that our transformation was worth it.
Manuel, who had married Carmen, the nurse who helped him in the hospital, was happy and fulfilled in a way he never imagined possible. Rodri, do you remember when we were young and we said we wanted to leave the world better than we found it? I remember. And do you think we’ve achieved it? I think we are. One family at a time, one employee at a time, one project at a time, and most importantly, one friendship at a time. At the company’s last annual meeting, Rodrigo announced that he was creating a social investment fund to support other entrepreneurs who wanted to adopt similar practices.
Our experience proved that it is possible to achieve financial success while doing social good. Now we want to help others discover that too. Manuel added, “We’re going to create a network of companies committed to human values. Imagine the impact we can have if dozens, hundreds of companies adopt our model.” Dr. Velázquez, who had become a family friend, watched everything with admiration. “You transformed a personal tragedy into a transformative force for all of society. It’s extraordinary, Doctor.”
CONTINUE READING ON THE NEXT PAGE 🥰💕
