When you meet David Rivero, you feel his energy immediately — focused, fast-moving, and fearless. The founder of The Growth Talks and a successful entrepreneur, David’s story is proof that hard work, consistency, and self-belief can turn even the hardest setbacks into success.
From Soccer Dreams to Business Reality
David’s journey started with a dream of becoming a professional soccer player. Growing up as the son of Bolivian immigrants, he learned the value of hard work early on. “I trained every day,” he says. “Before school, after school — nonstop.” That discipline earned him a college soccer scholarship, but an injury ended his athletic career.
What came next wasn’t easy — a corporate job that ended in being fired, a DUI, a night in jail, and eventually bankruptcy. “I felt like a total failure,” David admits. “But that moment changed my life. I realized there’s no such thing as job security — so I decided to build something of my own.”
Finding the Right Partner and Values That Last
After several failed ventures, David met his future business partner, Gary McNelly, through a networking event. Together they built multiple seven- and eight-figure companies.
David credits their success to three things: loyalty, hard work, and trust.
“In business, loyalty is everything,” he says. “If both partners work hard and stay honest, success follows.”
Consistency, Speed, and Adaptability
David’s daily routine still mirrors his soccer days: wake up early, work hard, exercise, and stay consistent. He believes success comes from doing the same things right, over and over again.
He also moves fast. “I don’t wait until things are perfect,” he says. “I act. Speed matters more than perfection.”
That same mindset helped him navigate the rise of AI — even when it meant having tough conversations with his employees. “Change is hard,” he says, “but you either adapt or fall behind.”
Building Confidence Through Skill
For anyone feeling stuck or defeated, David’s advice is simple:
“Learn a skill and get good at it. Confidence comes from competence. The better you get, the more unstoppable you become.”
He emphasizes that every entrepreneur should focus most of their time on sales and marketing — the lifeblood of any business.
Growth Talks and Giving Back
Today, David hosts The Growth Talks, a monthly mastermind event in Beverly Hills that brings together entrepreneurs, creators, and visionaries. It’s already sold out nine months in a row.
He says the purpose is simple: “You never know who you’ll meet. One conversation can change your life.”
No Regrets, Just Growth
Despite all his success, David admits one regret: not starting on social media earlier. “If I had started ten years ago, I’d be the Latino Gary Vee,” he laughs.
But even that hasn’t slowed him down. His goal now? To reach a billion dollars in sales — and to change at least 100,000 lives along the way.
David Rivero’s story isn’t just about business; it’s about resilience. From setbacks to success, his message is clear:
“You fail by not trying. No guts, no glory. Just do it — and never live with regrets.”
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From Setbacks to Success: How David Rivero Built His Empire
Intro (SEO-Friendly):
Entrepreneurship isn’t about luck — it’s about mindset, resilience, and consistency. In this exclusive interview, entrepreneur and The Growth Talks founder David Rivero shares how he turned personal failures, financial struggles, and career setbacks into a thriving business empire. From humble beginnings to leading multiple successful companies, David’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right habits and attitude, anyone can build their dream life.
From Soccer Dreams to Business Reality
David Rivero’s journey began on the soccer field. The son of Bolivian immigrants, he learned hard work early — training daily before and after school. That determination earned him a college scholarship, but when an injury ended his soccer career, his path took a different turn.
After college, life hit hard. He was fired from his first job, got a DUI, spent a night in jail, and eventually filed for bankruptcy. “I felt like a total failure,” David recalls. “But that was the moment I realized — job security doesn’t exist. I had to create my own future.”
Finding the Right Partner and Core Values
After years of trial and error, David met his future business partner, Gary McNelly, at a networking event. Their partnership became the foundation for several successful companies.
“The key is loyalty and hard work,” David says. “In any partnership, you earn trust through consistency. If both people are honest and driven, success will come.”
Consistency, Speed, and Adaptability
David’s mindset hasn’t changed since his soccer days — success is built through daily discipline. He wakes up early, works long hours, exercises, and repeats.
“I don’t wait until everything’s perfect,” he says. “I act. Speed matters more than perfection.”
That mindset helped him adapt quickly to industry changes, including the rise of AI. Even when he had to make tough decisions about staff, he approached it with empathy and focus. “Adapt or fall behind,” he says simply.
Building Confidence Through Skill
For anyone feeling stuck, David’s advice is simple:
“Learn a skill and master it. Confidence comes from competence.”
He emphasizes that the two most important skills for entrepreneurs are sales and marketing. “You can have the best product in the world, but without customers, it doesn’t matter.”
The Growth Talks: Building Community and Opportunity
David now channels his passion into The Growth Talks — a monthly mastermind event in Beverly Hills that connects ambitious entrepreneurs and creators. It’s sold out nine months in a row.
“You never know who you’ll meet,” he says. “One conversation can change your life. I started Growth Talks to bring those opportunities together in one room.”
No Regrets, Just Growth
Even with his success, David admits one regret — not starting on social media sooner. “If I had started ten years ago, I’d be the Latino Gary Vee,” he laughs.
But he’s making up for lost time. His current goals: reach $1 billion in sales and impact 100,000 lives.
His story proves that success isn’t about avoiding failure — it’s about learning from it, adapting, and never giving up.
“You fail by not trying,” David says. “No guts, no glory. Just do it — and never live with regrets.”
Key Takeaways from David Rivero
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Discipline beats talent. Consistency creates success.
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Adapt fast. Don’t wait for perfection — take action.
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Loyalty matters. Build relationships on trust and effort.
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Master your craft. Confidence grows from skill, not status.
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Give back. Success means helping others grow with you.