Meet Hernando Caicedo | Investor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hernando Caicedo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hernando, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have always wanted to work for myself, and manage my own time. I come from a family of entreprenaurial people so it just always seemed to be the way to do things.

I have started more than one business, and I love projects. I love the challenges of creating and building a business. Not all are successes, but they have all taught me so much. In the end I feel fulfilled having been able to create a business from scratch and watch it flourish.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have always had a desire to create, and to build businesses. Some have not worked out and others have. From each one I have learned valuable lessons. I am proud of the businesses I have built, one being Caldwell Cigar Co. and the second, Ernie’s Acai, is in it’s infant stages. Caldwell Cigar Co. is a boutique cigar manufacturer that was built with friends. We have worked hard at it’s expansion and while it wasn’t and still is not easy we have become one of the most relevant brands in our industry. Ernie’s Acai was born out of random stop on a business trip to AZ. I came across a very unique way to make Acai that I thought was so far ahead of everything else that is being offered in the market. I struck a deal to acquire the product and create my own brand around it. Our first location is up and running in Coral Gables, FL and has been successful from early on, and the plan is to build many more.

None of what I have done has been easy. There are numerous challenges to everything. From when I was flipping houses in college, to my current endeavor. There have been financial hurdles, infighting with partners, diverging visions, government overregulation that almost killed my cigar business, and my own faults getting in my way. I have ADHD and it is a real challenge for me to wrestle with that and be productive, so that is my internal battle, one that causes great difficulty at times. When I face challenges, even currently I just keep pushing forward. I try to not focus on the problems and become determined to find solutions. Sometimes those solutions are in finding valuable partners. In starting up Ernie’s I knew nothing about the restaurant business, but I kept fighting through the issues, then I was lucky to have met someone who would become my partner Andrew Platt by chance. He was someone with vast experience in restaurants. I was lucky to have met him and very fortunate to have him as a partner in Ernie’s. The main point is to keep moving. As long as you are moving forward you will encounter scenarios that create the solutions you need.

That is the main lesson. To keep moving forward., always be ready to try something new.

I just want people to know that they are not alone in the challenges that they face. I have fought and continue to fight to succeed. I want people to learn about my brands that I have built because I truly believe that I have created some wonderful companies that make some really fantastic products.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well Miami has always had a lot to offer, and it’s just become better and better. Our F&B has improved, and so have our cultural offerings. So what would I do with someone visiting Miami? That depends on a few things like whether or not it’s their first time here. I guess much of it will be centered around food. There would have to be mandatory stops at one of our great cuban restaurants as well as frequent pit stops throughout the week for some cafecito. I think a boat day or two would be necessary. Miami and boating go hand in hand. Some exploring of our vibrant neighborhoods would also be in the plans. Wynwood has so much to offer, and Coconut Grove has made a huge comeback from what it was 8 or so years ago. If they’ve never been to the everglades I would probably take them on a private airboat tour. Some nightlife goes with out mentioning.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people that I have learned from that this section would take too long and miss many people. Throughout my life I have always sought out guidance. My father in particular has been my number one mentor setting me up with a solid foundation for how to view life, how to live life, how to treat people, and how to be a person worth knowing. To him the most important lesson was that integrity is everything, worth more than any other attribute.

I have many short comings and I know what they are, so I have always sought to surround myself with people that are more capable, more intelligent, and more skilled than me. I have had partners in everything that I do, some have been great, and others have been tough lessons. Even with the bad partnerships I have learned quite a bit. Usually I tend to find the partners that fill in the parts that I don’t do well with.

The network you have, the people that you surround yourself with have large influence on who you become. I happen to know many people, and I have old friends and new friends. All of them with amazing qualities that I love to learn from. These are my teachers now, my friends.

Some people think that luck has nothing to do with success. I am fortunate to have the family I have, and to have been able to build the friendships that I have. They have contributed so many excellent lessons and experiences to my life. I am fortunate to have many mentors, and endless support.

Instagram: @erniesacai & @caldwellcigars