Learning the Art of Business The Owners Biography from pools halls to cyber Security

After several years of intense work selling quality leads, I found myself restless. Sure, I was making more money than I ever thought possible when I first started. But something was missing. My marriage had ended, and I only saw my kids on weekends, which left me feeling unanchored in Florida. The daily grind no longer excited me, and I was searching for something more—something adventurous. With no strong ties holding me down, I decided it was time to make a change. I needed a break from the monotony, and more than that, I needed to experience life beyond Florida’s borders. I wanted to see the world, and Southeast Asia had always intrigued me, so that’s where I decided to begin.
First Stop: Hong Kong
My adventure started in Hong Kong, a city that truly lived up to its reputation as one of the busiest, most vibrant places on Earth. I had heard stories about its neon lights, bustling streets, and nonstop energy, and being there felt like stepping into another world. One of the first challenges was learning to navigate the subway system—it was efficient but overwhelming for someone unfamiliar with the city’s intricate layout. The trains were packed with people, but I quickly got the hang of it. Mastering the subway allowed me to explore every corner of the city with ease, and I wasted no time immersing myself in the culture.
Hong Kong’s energy was contagious. From the markets to the skyscrapers, everything felt alive, pulsing with activity. The nightlife was unlike anything I had ever experienced. One night, I stumbled into a karaoke bar, grabbed a microphone, and belted out some classic rock songs in English. The locals loved it. Despite being thousands of miles from home, I felt welcome. I quickly made some friends, some of whom I stayed in touch with throughout my travels. I even started dating a few girls I met along the way. Life in Hong Kong was fast-paced and exciting, but after a few weeks, I started to feel restless again.
As thrilling as Hong Kong was, I craved something different. I had heard a lot about the Philippines, and so I decided it was time to move on to my next destination.
Exploring the Philippines
The Philippines was a different experience altogether. Where Hong Kong was polished and modern, the Philippines felt raw and chaotic. The streets were crowded, the air filled with pollution, and there was a sense of disorder that took some getting used to. Still, there was something charming about the country, especially the people. They were incredibly friendly, always smiling despite the challenges they faced.
One thing that caught me by surprise was the massive shopping malls. These places were huge—far larger than anything I had seen back home. Inside, there were movie theaters so large they could hold what felt like an entire city. It was impressive, and I spent hours wandering through these malls, marveling at their size.
While in the Philippines, I stayed in a hotel and dated several local girls. The experiences were fun and eye-opening, but the overall atmosphere of the country eventually got to me. The chaos and pollution became overwhelming, and I found myself ready to leave sooner than I expected. Before I left, though, one of the girls I had been seeing suggested I visit Indonesia. She spoke highly of the country’s natural beauty, and since I had the freedom to go wherever I wanted, I decided to take her advice.
Falling in Love in Indonesia
Arriving in Indonesia was like stepping into a completely different world. The landscapes were breathtaking, with mountains carved into rice paddies, stretching for miles. The beauty of the country captivated me instantly, but it wasn’t just the scenery that made Indonesia special—it was a girl I met shortly after arriving.
She was beautiful, and though we didn’t speak each other’s languages, we found ways to communicate. We gave each other nicknames—she called me “Banana,” and I called her “Donut.” It was a playful, fun relationship, but it became something more. I fell for her hard. Despite the language barrier, we spent as much time together as we could, and I found myself deeply connected to her in ways I hadn’t expected.
One of the most memorable experiences in Indonesia was when we flew to her hometown to meet her family. It was a rural area, and she had never been on a plane before. She was nervous and excited, holding my hand the entire flight. Her parents and grandmother welcomed me with open arms. Despite the lack of shared language, we managed to connect over meals, and I was moved by their warmth and hospitality. Meeting her family was a highlight of my time there, and it deepened my feelings for her.
But as much as I loved “Donut” and my time in Indonesia, I wasn’t ready to settle down. I still had places I wanted to explore. Saying goodbye to her was hard, but I knew it was time to move on. My next stop was Thailand.
Thailand: Bars, Girls, and a Wake-Up Call
If Hong Kong was vibrant and the Philippines chaotic, Thailand was something else entirely. I arrived in Bangkok, where the pollution was even worse than in the Philippines. But despite that, the city was alive with a different kind of energy—one that pulled me in immediately.
Thailand’s nightlife is famous for a reason, and it didn’t take long for me to see why. There were bars where rows of girls sat behind glass, almost like they were on display, waiting to be chosen. It was a bizarre and somewhat shocking setup, but it was part of the culture. The girls were beautiful, and it wasn’t uncommon to choose a girl, pay for her company, and head upstairs to a room in the hotel above the bar. It was a strange and thrilling world, one that I hadn’t experienced before.
During my time in Thailand, I fell for a few girls. We had good times together, but there was always a nagging thought in the back of my mind—the HIV epidemic was rampant in Southeast Asia, and no matter how careful I was, the risk was ever-present. Eventually, that fear started to outweigh the excitement, and after a few months of enjoying Thailand’s nightlife, I realized it was time to head home.
Home Again
After six months of traveling through Southeast Asia, I found myself longing for home. I missed my kids, and I missed the familiarity of Florida. I had experienced more than I could have ever imagined—navigating subways in Hong Kong, singing karaoke, dating girls in the Philippines, falling in love in Indonesia, and exploring the nightlife in Thailand. It was an adventure that gave me a new perspective on life and made me appreciate what I had back home.
Returning to Florida didn’t mean the adventure was over, though. I had learned so much about myself during my travels, and I knew that the next chapter of my life would be shaped by those experiences. I was ready to focus on my kids, my career, and whatever new opportunities came my way. Traveling had opened my eyes to the world, but it had also reminded me of the importance of family, stability, and home.
Southeast Asia had been an incredible journey, but it was just that—a journey. And as I settled back into my life in Florida, I knew there were still more adventures ahead, and I was excited to see where the road would take me next.

After returning from my Southeast Asian adventure, I knew it was time to get back to business. Traveling had been exhilarating and eye-opening, but I craved the structure and thrill of the financial world again. So, I decided to dive back into commodities trading—a familiar territory where I had always excelled. My time away had given me new energy, and I was ready to put it to use.
I joined a new firm called the Commonwealth Group and quickly found my rhythm. The fast-paced, cutthroat nature of the industry reminded me of my early days in the business, back when every call, every deal felt like a life-or-death situation. At Commonwealth Group, I used my skills as a broker to build a new client base. It didn’t take long before I was raising between $250,000 and $350,000 a month in fresh equity. The thrill of closing deals, of watching the markets shift in real-time, was like riding a roller coaster I never wanted to get off.
The job felt second nature to me. I was an expert at reading people and understanding what they needed. I knew how to turn a cold call into a hot lead, and how to close deals like few others in the business. The fast-paced environment suited me perfectly, and I thrived on the adrenaline of the constant market changes. The commodities market had always been a mix of opportunity and risk, and I loved balancing the two. It was a delicate dance, and I was one of the best dancers in the office.
Every day felt like an adventure. The highs and lows of the market kept me on my toes, and the constant hustle kept me sharp. There was something exhilarating about knowing that every phone call could lead to a huge win or a crushing loss. My ability to thrive under pressure made me a top broker at Commonwealth Group. I was back in my element, navigating the complexities of oil, gas, and agricultural products like it was second nature.
But after a few years of being one of the top brokers in the office, something began to shift inside me. The excitement that had once fueled me started to fade. I had been in the game for a long time, and while I was still great at what I did, I wasn’t as passionate about it anymore. The thrill of closing deals and watching the markets shift no longer gave me the same rush. I wasn’t sure what was missing, but I knew I was starting to feel burnt out.
The idea of spending the rest of my life making cold calls and chasing deals began to feel less appealing. I had seen the world, experienced life in ways most people never get to, and I knew there was more out there for me. I wasn’t sure what the next step would be, but I knew that I couldn’t keep doing this forever. I needed to make a change.
Coming Back Home
When I returned to Florida after my travels through Southeast Asia, I felt a strange mixture of relief and dissatisfaction. On the one hand, I was back in familiar surroundings, close to my kids, and able to return to a structured life. On the other hand, I had just spent six months living a life of freedom and adventure, seeing places and experiencing things that most people could only dream of.
The contrast between the excitement of my travels and the routine of life back home was stark. I had changed during my time abroad, and I couldn’t simply fall back into my old life without feeling like something was missing. My relationship with my kids remained my top priority, and I focused on spending quality time with them every weekend. But I knew I had to find a new direction for myself.
The fast-paced lifestyle I had experienced in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand had kept me constantly on the move, and it was difficult to settle back into the slower rhythm of life in Florida. I wasn’t the type to sit still. After all, my entire career had been about chasing opportunities and staying one step ahead. But now, I was at a crossroads. I had experienced the world, tasted freedom, and I couldn’t just go back to being the same person I was before.
Reconnecting with an Old Friend: The Start of Something New
It was in 1999, as fate would have it, that I reconnected with an old client of mine who had a dream of owning his own commodities office. He had made a decent amount of money working in the business and had saved up $100,000 to invest in starting his own firm. He wasn’t sure how to go about it, but he knew I had the experience and the connections to help him make it happen.
Having spent years in the commodities industry, I knew the ins and outs of setting up an office. I still had solid relationships with a few key players in New York’s larger clearing houses, so I helped him broker a deal where we could operate as an independent sales office of one of these clearing houses. It was the perfect setup. We would have the autonomy to run our own office while leveraging the established infrastructure and credibility of a major firm in New York.
I was excited about the opportunity. After years of traveling and searching for something new, this felt like a chance to build something again, to get back into an environment where my entrepreneurial spirit could thrive. I had always loved the challenge of building businesses from the ground up, and this new venture felt like the right step forward.
The Wild Commodities Office: Lloyd and the Amsterdam Adventure
For this new venture, I teamed up with Lloyd Dempsey, an old friend of mine who was one of the best salesmen I’d ever met. Lloyd, also known by his alias Lloyd Harrison, was a natural-born closer. He had a way with people, and his quick wit and charm made him a force to be reckoned with. One of his favorite sayings was, “If you want a friend, buy a dog,” which he’d tell clients who expected too much handholding. Another one of his classic lines, used when a client hesitated, was, “I’m not a dentist; I don’t pull teeth.” That line always got a laugh—and more importantly, it got people to make decisions.
Lloyd had his demons, though. He was addicted to crack, and it was no secret to anyone who knew him. Despite his addiction, Lloyd remained an incredible salesman. He could close deals during the day and chase his high at night. I kept him around because, frankly, he was too good to lose. But there were times when his addiction got out of hand, and I had to step in. I remember one time when I let him stay at my house for a few days because his mother had kicked him out of her mansion in Miami. She couldn’t handle his addiction anymore, and neither could I—but I didn’t want to see him out on the streets.
Running the Office in Amsterdam
Eventually, Lloyd and I decided to set up our commodities office in Amsterdam. The city had a lot to offer in terms of infrastructure, and we found offices that were already equipped with desks, phones, and the necessary tools to make international calls. This setup allowed us to hit the ground running, and soon enough, we had 50 people working for us. It was a high-energy environment—deals were being made left and right, and the hustle was palpable.
But Amsterdam had its distractions. The city’s famous liberal attitude toward vices like drugs and prostitution made it difficult for some people in our office to stay focused. It wasn’t uncommon for employees to work hard during the day and then indulge in the city’s temptations at night. Despite these challenges, we kept the business running and managed to grow our client base.
Moving On: After a couple of years, the chaos of running the Amsterdam office began to catch up with us. Lloyd and I were both in relationships with Brazilian women at the time, and the distractions of the city were becoming harder to ignore. We eventually decided to close the office and move on to the next chapter of our lives.Looking back, the wild adventure in Amsterdam was just one more experience in a life filled with excitement, risk, and opportunity. I had learned a lot, but I knew there were more adventures ahead, and I was ready for whatever was coming next. The journey was far from over.

In 2022, I made a pivotal decision to dive headfirst into the world of full-time web development. After spending years in various industries—commodities trading, selling leads, and running wild business ventures—I found myself increasingly drawn to the possibilities of the digital landscape. The web was where the world was heading, and I knew that if I wanted to stay relevant, I needed to fully immerse myself in it.
My journey into web development began many years earlier. Back in 2001, I had teamed up with a talented web developer from India named Manu. Manu had become my technical backbone and, over time, a close friend. He was a genius when it came to coding and building websites, and together, we decided to embark on an ambitious project. Our plan? To purchase websites off eBay and build them into a unified eCommerce platform.
It was a bold idea. The concept was simple buy several small eCommerce sites, each with its own domain, and then merge them into a single platform that would capitalize on multiple streams of revenue. I envisioned creating a site that could compete with the big names, drawing traffic from various niche markets and consolidating them into one destination.
The idea was exciting, and for a while, it seemed like we were on the verge of something big. But, as with so many entrepreneurial ventures, the devil was in the details. The logistics of merging multiple sites proved to be far more complex than I had anticipated. Each site had its own technical framework, marketing strategy, and customer base, and integrating them into one seamless platform was a monumental task. On top of that, we lacked the financing needed to scale the project to the level it needed to be to compete in the eCommerce world.
As the months went by, it became clear that the project wasn’t going to work out. I like to joke now that if everything had gone according to plan, I could have been sitting here as the next Jeff Bezos. But, as with all entrepreneurial journeys, failure is just another steppingstone on the path to success. The experiment failed, but I wasn’t deterred. I had learned a lot from the experience, and I knew that I’d take those lessons into my next venture.
Even after the setback, I’ve always believed that every failure leads to a new opportunity. And sure enough, not long after, I stumbled across something that piqued my interest, the domain name Win The Lottery.com. I was browsing the internet one day when the name popped up, and something about it instantly clicked. I saw potential in that name. The idea of selling lottery tickets online—specifically US lottery tickets to Colombians and all South America—was something that hadn’t been done before.
Colombians had no access to purchasing US lottery tickets directly, and the lottery market in Colombia was strong. People loved playing the lottery, and the idea of being able to participate in the massive US jackpots seemed like a sure way to attract customers. On top of that, I liked that Cartagena, Colombia was only a two-and-a-half-hour plane ride from Miami, where I lived. The proximity made it easier for me to manage the business while still enjoying the tropical escape that Cartagena provided.
I bought the domain for $3,000 and began developing a plan. The concept was straightforward set up an operation in Colombia to sell US lottery tickets to locals and all South America. Who had no other way to buy them. I would base the business in Cartagena, where operating such a venture was legal, and tap into the existing enthusiasm for lotteries.
In 2003, I flew to Cartagena to scout out the market. The moment I stepped off the plane, I knew I had made the right decision. Cartagena was a vibrant city, bustling with activity and teeming with tourists from all over the world. It was the perfect place to set up shop. I had arranged to meet with a local tour guide named Rafael Herrera, who had been recommended to me before my trip. What I didn’t know at the time was that Rafael would become much more than just a guide—he’d become one of my closest friends and a crucial part of my ventures in Colombia.
Rafael picked me up from the airport, and we hit it off right away. Over the course of my trip, he showed me everything Cartagena had to offer, from the bustling local markets to the tourist hotspots. He had an innate understanding of the city’s rhythms, and his insights helped me get a feel for how things worked there. Cartagena was a hotspot for American tourists at the time, and the potential for business seemed limitless.
I rented an office in Boca Grande, one of the more affluent areas of the city, and began setting up the infrastructure for Win The Lottery.com. The office was equipped with five desks, telephones, chairs, and even a fax machine—everything we needed to operate. I hired three operators to manage calls and assist with customer inquiries, and for the next six months, we worked on building out the website. The site was beautiful by the time we finished it, and I was proud of what we had accomplished.
Unfortunately, despite all the effort and planning, the business didn’t take off as I had hoped. We were able to launch the website, and the initial interest was promising, but the numbers never reached the level I had projected. Without enough customers and the right marketing strategy, the business slowly fizzled out.
That’s the nature of entrepreneurship, though. Sometimes, even the best-laid plans don’t pan out. But the failure of Win The Lottery.com wasn’t a complete loss. The experience in Cartagena opened doors to new relationships, and my friendship with Rafael became one of the most valuable outcomes of that trip. Over the years, Rafael has continued to work with me in Colombia, helping me navigate the local business scene and acting as a trusted confidante.
Though the lottery idea didn’t pan out the way I had envisioned, Cartagena became a place that I frequently returned to. Every time I visited, I saw new opportunities, new possibilities. I stayed connected to the city, always on the lookout for the next big idea.
But my journey in the world of web development didn’t end there. Even after the lottery venture, I knew that digital space was where the future lay. I continued to explore opportunities in the web development world, working on new projects, buying and selling domains, and experimenting with different business models.
The web had limitless potential, and I was determined to find my niche within it. I wasn’t going to let one failure deter me. If anything, my experiences with Win The Lottery.com and the eCommerce project have made me even more resilient. Every setback was just another lesson, another chance to refine my approach and try again.
As I look back on my foray into full-time web development, I can’t help but appreciate the journey. While not every venture was a success, each one brought me closer to understanding the digital landscape and how to navigate it. I wasn’t just learning about web development; I was learning about myself, about how to adapt, pivot, and grow in an ever-changing world.
And as I continue to explore new digital ventures, one thing remains clear: the best ideas often come from the least expected places. You just must be ready to seize them when they arrive.

I had rented an office in Cartagena, Colombia, for a full year, with high hopes of breaking into the business of selling Florida lottery tickets. The plan seemed foolproof at the time—use my proximity to Miami and Cartagena’s vibrant tourist economy to launch a profitable venture. Yet, as the months dragged on, nothing substantial materialized. Despite Cartagena’s energy—the city was buzzing with tourists, and the local economy was steadily growing but my business remained stagnant. Translating that energy into something tangible, something profitable, turned out to be far more challenging than I had expected.
During the year, I poured time and resources into various projects, always thinking the next one would be the breakthrough. But nothing seemed to stick. The lottery ticket idea, which had initially seemed like a goldmine, just didn’t catch on. I kept refining the business model, tweaking the approach, but by month eleven, it was clear that my grand plan wasn’t going to pan out as I had hoped. Cartagena itself wasn’t a disappointment—the city’s beauty, the lifestyle, and the fun I had with the local girls made the experience enjoyable on a personal level—but from a business perspective, it was frustrating.
Just when I thought the year would end without a single business victory, the tides turned in the final two weeks of my lease. That’s when an unexpected opportunity fell into my lap. A buyer surfaced, interested in purchasing 1,000 commodities leads from me. After a long stretch of silence, this was exactly the break I needed.
With a renewed sense of purpose, I got to work. I knew this process well—it wasn’t my first rodeo in the lead-selling business. Back in the 1990s, I had made a fortune selling leads, and this was a chance to revisit those roots. I installed database software onto the office computers and imported the commodities leads from an Excel file I had acquired. I was meticulous, shaping the raw data into a comprehensive mailing list complete with telephone numbers, names, and addresses—everything the buyer would need to launch their own marketing campaign.
Once I had the leads organized into 40-leads per page, I converted the entire document into a PDF. As I stared at the finished product on my screen, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of accomplishment. After months of stagnation, I had finally achieved something tangible. This sale, though modest compared to the ambitious goals I had set for myself at the start of the year, felt like a victory. It was also a wake-up call—a reminder that I still had a unique skill set that could be profitable. I knew how to source, organize, and sell leads, and perhaps that was the key to my next venture.
That’s when the idea hit me. Why not focus on selling leads online? I had the experience, the skills, and most importantly, the connections. The domain Win The Lottery.com, which I had initially purchased to sell US lottery tickets to Colombians, hadn’t panned out as expected. But now, I saw a new use for it—a lead-selling platform.
Shifting the Focus: From Lotteries to Leads
I decided to repurpose Win The Lottery.com into a website dedicated to generating and selling leads. The internet was booming, and I knew that online platforms offered a level of scalability that traditional methods couldn’t match. The year was 2004 and I knew I could reach potential buyers across the globe, rather than limiting myself to local markets. And given my years in the industry, I had a clear understanding of how to source high-quality leads.
One of the first steps in building out the new platform was to tap into my old network. I still had contacts in the world of sweepstakes leads, and I knew that there was demand for these leads among telemarketers and other businesses looking to target consumers who had already shown interest in promotional offers. My friend, who was in the investment lead business, also became an invaluable resource. He provided me with a steady stream of leads, which I could in turn sell through my website.
But one of the real gems in my network was the connection I had to handwritten sweepstakes leads. These leads were pure gold because they were seen as more authentic and trustworthy by potential buyers. They weren’t just names pulled from a database; these were people who had physically filled out sweepstakes forms, which made them highly valuable to businesses looking for qualified leads. With these resources at my disposal, I knew I had the foundation for a successful venture.
Building the Business: A New Strategy Takes Shape
Turning Win The Lottery.com into a lead-generation website was the pivot I needed. The failure of the lottery ticket business wasn’t a setback—it was a redirection. Now, I had a clear vision of where I wanted to go. The world of leads selling was something I understood deeply. I knew how to source, organize, and market leads in a way that few others did. Plus, the internet allowed me to tap into global markets, which meant that my potential customer base was virtually limitless.
Over the next few weeks, I worked tirelessly on the website, designing it to be both user-friendly and optimized for generating sales. I wanted potential buyers to come to the site, easily navigate through the different types of leads on offer and make their purchases with minimal friction. The concept was simple, but the execution required precision.
By the time my year-long lease in Cartagena came to an end, I had built the foundation for what I hoped would be a profitable lead-selling business. The city, with all its beauty and charm, had offered me more than just a change of scenery—it had given me a new perspective. The first eleven months may not have gone as planned, but those final two weeks were a game-changer. The sale of the commodities leads wasn’t just a transaction; it was the catalyst for a whole new business model.
Back to Florida: A New Beginning
With my new plan in mind, I decided it was time to head back to Florida. Cartagena had been an exciting chapter, filled with lessons, fun, and a few personal victories. But now, I needed to focus on scaling the business, and for that, I needed to be back home where I could fully dedicate myself to the task at hand.
As I boarded the plane back to the United States, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I wasn’t returning home empty-handed. I had spent a year in Cartagena figuring out what didn’t work, but more importantly, I had stumbled upon what could work. The experience had taught me the importance of persistence. If I hadn’t stayed for the full year, I might have missed out on that critical lead sale, which in turn sparked the idea for the lead-selling business.
Scaling the Business: Beyond Win The Lottery.com
By the time I returned to Florida, I was ready to hit the ground running. Win The Lottery.com was just the beginning. My ultimate vision was to create a network of lead-generating websites, each tailored to different industries—sweepstakes, investments, real estate, and more. The possibilities were endless. The internet offered me the chance to build a scalable and sustainable business that could reach customers around the world.
I spent the next several months working on additional websites, each with its own unique focus. I sourced leads from multiple suppliers, always ensuring that the quality was top-notch. The lead-selling industry was built on trust, and I knew that if I wanted to succeed, I had to deliver value to my customers.
As I look back on my year in Cartagena, I realize that it wasn’t a failure—it was a crucial step in my journey. The slow months, the setbacks, and the frustrations all led to that one sale, which in turn inspired an entirely new business model. Cartagena had been a place of learning, and the lessons I took from that year would fuel my success for years to come.
The sale of those 1,000 commodities leads wasn’t just a lucky break—it was the turning point that set me on the path to building something bigger than I had ever imagined.
The flight back to Florida from Cartagena was a time of reflection for me. I had spent an entire year in Colombia, immersing myself in the local culture, trying to establish a solid business with high hopes of making a fortune by selling Florida lottery tickets. But the outcome was far from what I had envisioned. The quiet months where nothing substantial materialized had made me question my choices, but the experience had taught me valuable lessons about adaptability, patience, and the unpredictable nature of business.
Cartagena had been a beautiful distraction, filled with fun moments, new friendships, and the thrill of exploring a new country. But as much as I loved the city and enjoyed my time there, the business venture had stalled. I wasn’t used to sitting idle for long. My history was built on fast-moving projects, closing deals, and making things happen—yet here, for nearly a year, it felt like I was constantly running into walls.
When the opportunity to sell those 1,000 commodities leads came during the final two weeks of my lease, it felt like fate was giving me one last chance to turn things around before the clock ran out. And I took it. The successful lead sale reminded me of my sales skills and the connections I had built over the years. As I organized those leads and finalized the sale, I had a surge of confidence. My instincts, which had been honed over decades of hustling in various industries, were still sharp. I hadn’t lost my touch—I just needed to pivot.
A New Business Model Emerges
That’s when the idea hit me selling leads wasn’t just a fallback option—it could be the next big thing. The sale of those 1,000 commodities leads was a reminder that leads generation was something I not only understood but excelled at. And now, with the internet rapidly transforming the way businesses operated, the opportunities to scale lead sales are limitless.
I began to formulate a new business model. What if I repurposed the domain name Win The Lottery.com—which had originally been intended for selling lottery tickets—to sell leads instead? The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I had already built the infrastructure: the website was there, I had a network of suppliers, and I knew how to source high-quality leads. It was just a matter of shifting focus.
As soon as I arrived back in Florida, I got to work. The experience in Cartagena had given me clarity. I was going to build a lead-selling platform, starting with Win The Lottery.com. But I wasn’t going to stop there. I envisioned creating a network of websites, each one focusing on different types of leads—investment leads, sweepstakes leads, real estate leads, and more.
Building the Foundation
Back in Florida, I threw myself into the task of transforming Win The Lottery.com into a lead-generation machine. The beauty of the internet was that it allowed me to operate on a global scale. I didn’t need to limit myself to one market or one country. The potential customer base for leads was enormous—every business, regardless of industry, needed high-quality leads to survive and thrive.
I started by leveraging my existing network. I still had strong relationships with sweepstakes lead suppliers, who provided me with fresh, handwritten leads. These were highly valuable in the lead-selling industry because handwritten sweepstakes entries were seen as authentic and trustworthy. Buyers knew that these leads were real people who had physically entered their information, making them much more likely to convert into sales.
I also reconnected with my friend who was in the investment lead business. His expertise in generating investment leads proved to be a crucial asset, and together we built a steady pipeline of high-quality leads that I could offer on my platform. These leads were particularly valuable for brokers and telemarketers who needed qualified prospects for their financial products and services.
Expanding the Vision: Beyond Win The Lottery.com
As Win The Lottery.com began to take shape, I knew that I was on to something much bigger. The world of lead generation wasn’t confined to one niche or one industry. Every business needed leads, and the internet made it easier than ever to source and sell them. I started to brainstorm other domains and websites that I could build, each tailored to different markets.
My goal was to create a portfolio of lead-generation websites, each targeting a specific industry. The vision was to make it easy for businesses—whether they were in real estate, investments, telemarketing, or sweepstakes—to come to my sites, purchase leads, and quickly start converting those leads into sales. I could see how this model had the potential to grow exponentially. The beauty of it was that once the infrastructure was in place, the business could scale with minimal overhead.
I also tapped into my old-school sales tactics, ensuring that every lead I sourced was of the highest quality. In the lead-selling industry, reputation was everything. If I wanted to succeed, I had to make sure that my clients were getting value for their money. If they trusted the quality of the leads I provided, they’d keep coming back for more.
Learning from Cartagena: The Power of Persistence
Looking back, I realized that my year in Cartagena hadn’t been a failure—it had been a learning experience. The quiet months where nothing seemed to happen had taught me the importance of patience and persistence. If I had left the city earlier, I might have missed out on the deal that led me to my breakthrough. Sometimes, you have to go through quiet periods to get to the moments that matter.
The sale of those 1,000 commodities leads was more than just a transaction. It was the catalyst for my next venture. It reminded me that even when things seem slow, the right opportunity can come out of nowhere and change everything. Cartagena had given me the space to reflect, to recalibrate, and to rediscover what I was truly good at. It was a turning point, and it set me up for what was to come next.
The Next Phase: Scaling the Business
With the foundation for Win The Lottery.com in place, I began to scale the business. I hired a small team to help with website management, lead sourcing, and customer service. The beauty of the lead-selling model was that once the systems were in place, it didn’t require much overhead. Leads could be sold over and over again, creating a passive income stream that allowed me to focus on growth.
Over time, I expanded my reach. I started targeting different industries, from real estate to finance to consumer products. The demand for leads was insatiable, and I was more than happy to supply what the market needed. The internet was the perfect platform for this kind of business because it allowed me to reach customers across the globe without needing a physical presence in every country.
I also began experimenting with SEO strategies and online marketing to drive traffic to my websites. I knew that if I could rank higher on Google and attract more visitors, the potential for sales would increase dramatically. I immersed myself in learning about how to optimize my websites for search engines, how to create compelling content, and how to build backlinks to boost credibility.
A New Chapter Begins
As 2004 drew to a close, I reflected on how much had changed over the course of the year. What had started as a frustratingly slow business venture in Cartagena had transformed into a thriving lead-selling business that had the potential to scale globally. I had learned that setbacks are often just setups for something greater. The quiet moments are where the ideas form, and the breakthroughs happen when you least expect them.
The experience of selling those 1,000 commodities leads had reignited my entrepreneurial spirit. It had reminded me that I was still good at what I did, and that the world of business is always full of opportunities, as long as you’re willing to adapt, pivot, and keep moving forward.
Now, with a new business model in place, I was ready to take things to the next level. The journey had only just begun, and I couldn’t wait to see where it would lead.

In the world of business, there are many avenues to success, and selling leads is one of the lesser known but highly lucrative paths. I was fortunate enough to find myself in this niche, and for five years, it provided me with financial rewards that far exceeded my expectations. I made over three million dollars during my time in the lead-selling business, perhaps even more, and I was able to retire comfortably in 2011. Looking back, I’m thankful that this chapter of my life brought me financial freedom and, most importantly, allowed me to distance myself from the less-than-desirable individuals who once plagued my phone lines with their constant requests to buy leads.
Entering the Lead-Selling Business
Before I found success in selling leads, my career path was quite varied. I had ventured into several different industries, but it wasn’t until I stumbled into the lead-selling world that I discovered a goldmine. Selling leads is essentially the practice of gathering lists of potential customers—people interested in specific products or services—and then selling those lists to businesses looking for warm prospects. For industries like investments, sweepstakes, and telemarketing, fresh leads are incredibly valuable.
At first, I started selling leads casually. I had a few connections here and there, and before long, I realized that there was a high demand for quality leads. With my business background and a knack for networking, I began sourcing leads from various places—sometimes even handwritten sweepstakes leads. My leads were genuine, and my clients quickly discovered that they could count on the lists I sold to generate real sales. Word spread, and soon enough, I was making serious money.
Scaling the Business
Once I realized the potential of selling leads, I scaled my business quickly. I invested in database software and hired a small team to help me manage the increasing volume. We created mailing lists, optimized our lead generation processes, and found buyers across multiple industries. My leads were in high demand, and every day brought in new clients who were eager to purchase my lists.
At the height of my business, I was making anywhere between $30,000 and $35,000 per week. The profits rolled in, and as long as I kept supplying quality leads, I had more than enough buyers. It was a fast-paced, high-pressure business, but I thrived in it. I had found a niche that worked for me, and I milked it for all it was worth.
One of the most important lessons I learned in this business was that quality matters. Not all leads are created equal, and the more targeted and reliable the leads, the higher the price it can fetch. I made sure to maintain the integrity of my lists, which allowed me to keep a steady stream of returning customers.
The Downside of the Business
However, not everything was smooth sailing. The lead-selling industry has its share of unsavory characters, and it didn’t take long for me to run into them. One of the most frustrating aspects of the business was dealing with low-quality buyers, particularly those from Jamaica. These buyers would constantly hound me, asking for leads at discounted prices or trying to scam their way into getting more than they paid for.
The phone calls from these individuals became relentless. Their tactics ranged from flattering to pushy, and in some cases, downright aggressive. I remember many sleepless nights with my phone buzzing off the hook as they tried to strike deals or convince me to sell leads on credit. While I had plenty of legitimate, high-paying clients, these low lives were always lurking in the background, making the business more stressful than it needed to be.
For a while, I put up with it because the profits were worth it. But as my business grew, so did my desire for peace and freedom from these constant disruptions.
Retirement in 2011
By 2011, I had made more money than I ever thought possible. I had built a successful lead-selling empire, earned millions, and saved enough to retire comfortably. The decision to step away from the business was not a difficult one. The constant barrage of phone calls, especially from unscrupulous buyers, had taken a toll on me. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life dealing with these individuals who brought nothing but frustration.
When I retired, I did so know that I had secured my financial future. I didn’t have to work anymore, and most importantly, I didn’t have to deal with the low lives who had made the latter years of my business career so unpleasant. No more calls from Jamaica, no more haggling over prices, no more stress.
Reflecting on the Journey
Looking back, my time in the lead-selling business was incredibly rewarding, both financially and in terms of the lessons I learned. It taught me the importance of building strong business relationships, the value of quality in any product or service, and the need to draw boundaries when it comes to dealing with difficult people. I’m grateful for the financial freedom it provided me, but I’m even more thankful for the fact that I was able to walk away when the time was right.
Now, I live a life free from the chaos of the business world, and I couldn’t be happier. My journey selling leads may have been brief, but it was more than enough to set me up for a lifetime of peace and comfort, free from the headaches that once consumed my days.