Perseverance — it’s what pushes us through the challenges of today, while striving for a better tomorrow. Ellis Suazo, Co-Founder of The Wealth Academy, knows the power of perseverance and has put in the hard work to beat the odds, not only for his business, but for his family.
As a teenager, Ellis felt the weight of expectations put on his shoulders. He knew he was smart and was determined to go far in life, to make his family proud. That was until young love changed him from a college bound 17-year-old into a new dad. Family members told him that he had ruined his life and wasted his potential — but that didn’t discourage or deter his dreams, it motivated him to prove them wrong.
Driven by a desire to provide a better life for his daughter, he set his sights back on college. Over the years, his resolve was tested and many sacrifices were made, including a summer working in a shipyard and surviving the extensive devastation of his hometown by Hurricane Katrina. But these experiences helped him grow and were all part of his journey to earn a degree in electrical engineering.
When he graduated in 2008, the country was experiencing a recession. But he would not be deterred. The day after graduation, Ellis took his new diploma, packed his car and headed to Chicago in search of new opportunities. After significant struggle, he ended up finding not only a job, but also his future wife and business partner, Jasmine. They became a blended family, raising their daughters together.
Eventually, they decided to create The Wealth Academy to help others, especially women and couples, find success. However, they have grown their passion for service beyond the industry. Ellis takes his experiences as a teen dad, an engineer and a business leader to his local church where he volunteers with the young men’s group — inspiring future generations on what is possible through perseverance.
Integrity is proud to partner with Ellis, Jasmine and The Wealth Academy — they bring incredible strength to the Integrity family through their mentorship of the next generation of leaders ready to help others prepare for the good days ahead. Learn more about Ellis and The Wealth Academy on their announcement video here!