• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Raul Colon - photographer, digital marketer & writer living on the beach in Puerto Rico.

I support causes by supporting individuals.

  • My Photography
  • Puerto Rico’s Beaches
  • Hire Me
  • Get to Know Me
  • Talk to Me

9 Years After my 25th Birthday

April 23, 2014 by Raul Colon

DSC_0532-1024x683 9 Years After my 25th Birthday
Photo taken by Gene Bradford on my 33rd Birthday!

Nine years ago when I turned 25 I remember thinking of goals that I had set for myself which today as I turn 34 make very little sense to me. My life would turn around in as little as those next 3 years.

6 years ago I decided to leave the world of being an employee and becoming self employed. Now I realized that at that moment I resigned to many of my goals.

Challenging, Interesting, and Fun

It has been an interesting 6 years. I have launched many projects. Some which have survived others have been abandoned.

As I turn 34 today I realize I have been able to do many things that I don’t think would have been possible if I would have not left being an employee for larger corporations.

Letting Go

From returning the home I bought at 25 to the bank that truly owned it, my luxury convertible which turned out to be a lemon, and a laundry list of material things I did not need in my life such as a Country Club Membership where I played golf every day.

Somewhere easier to let go others like the foreclosure process of what was my house took a huge toll on me like. These experiences have allowed me to focus more in finding what is my purpose in life.

DSC_0510-1024x791 9 Years After my 25th Birthday
Photo taken by Gene Bradford on my 33rd Birthday!

The Return on Letting Go

I earned a lot more by giving up those material things that were tied to my goals at age 25.

Here are a few things that I was able to do:

  • I landed my first client for my IT security practice with an organization that is the backbone to the U.S. Economy during the Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns debacle (a sign that things would change at a very fast pace).
  • My first clients where outside of the Island given the relationships I had nurtured from the clients I had taken care of while I was at KPMG.
  • I worked for a few major banks (including Banco Santander) as an IT Security Consultant where some of the processes and tools they are using to date  I created.
  • We launched a Puerto Rico Job board which in a matter of months had around 45k+ unique visitors a month but we could not figure how to find a revenue model for it.
  • I met Ramon Morales one of the most selfless human beings who has been a mentor to me and Lucy during these years of running our projects and business.
  • I was able to attend the first and only Twitter Developer Conference (Chirp) where I met Ramon in person and he hosted me in his Silicon Valley home and also had the opportunity to be in the same space with AJ Leon.
  • My friend Ramon Morales introduced me via a book he gave me to a guy called Chris Brogan.
  • I attended the Conversational Marketing Summit as a Guest of John Battelle and Federated Media where I got to meet and had access to some very influential individuals.
  • I took a complete month flying all over the U.S. visiting friends and family members when JetBlue launched its second and last All You Can Jet.
  • I got to meet Chris Brogan in person and from that moment I consider him not only a mentor but a close friend.
  • I have helped multiple small businesses use online platforms to improve sales, increase visits to their websites and physical locations, and increase reach.
  • I became a dad to a beautiful little girl.
  • I launched a parenting site with my friend and business associate Rick Lipsett.
  • I also launched a Vegan/Vegetarian blog inspired by the idea that an online friend Sandra Ordonez saw the need to connect other hispanics and latino who were vegetarian/vegan.
  • I went to SXSW for the first time and met some very amazing  individuals who have become friends. After 4 trips to SXSW I have to say that each one has connected me with a few individuals who are part of my day to day.
  • I met Mark Horvath in person and got to understand even more his work and how he helps the homeless and many others with their struggles. Very happy to call Mark a close friend.
  • I volunteered (the most work I have done for any for profit organization without getting paid) and bought a ticket to speak at the second hispanicize conference where I was part of 4 sessions.
  • I got to visit Disneyland for the second time with two awesome friends Yvonne Pere Borroto and Javier Plaza. I can’t wait to take Daniela.
  • We landed our first international client in Mexico for CIMA IT Solutions.
  • I landed the opportunity to work with Chris Brogan and worked with him on an International Consulting client out of the United Kingdom.
  • Mark Hayward invited me to work on hosting  Jeff Pulver in San Juan for a 140 Conference Meetup. Not only did I get a chance to meet Jeff and call him a friend I also had the opportunity to meet Alan Weinkrantz who brought my love of photography back and has also been a mentor.
  • I was invited by AJ Leon and Melissa Leon to attend their first Misfit Conference. Which was a life changing experience. Counting the days to the second one.
  • Bianca Estrada and I signed up to be part of the Good Misfit project where we helped raise money to build a Windmill in Africa.
  • Inspired by a documentary I saw at Misfit Conference I decided to build Limonade where I bring creatives, geeks, and business advisors to get rid of the “limones”.
  • I got the opportunity to work with my friend Nicko and redesign the Uncle Gussy’s Food Truck website.
  • I got the opportunity to work with Junior Padilla from Impression Associates where in the first meetings he shared some business tips that have served me well very thankful for his support in many ways.
  • Thanks to the help of Chris Brogan we landed our first client in Canadá and our helping Donna and her team reach kids with learning disabilities like dyslexia.
  • I started writing for Owner Magazine in spanish and have met some pretty awesome folks by just sharing content.
  • I found out that I am mentioned on a future bestseller written by my friend and author Chris Brogan. Buy the book here → The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth: Entrepreneurship for Weirdos, Misfits, and World Dominatorsir?t=cis02-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00H7JE3FK 9 Years After my 25th Birthday

Memories and Opportunities to Grow

I have been able over the last 6 years to do a list of things that have been fun others very challenging and not fun at all. Most of these experiences good or not have created memories and opportunities to learn and improve myself.

In summary I feel better mentally, physically, and with more control of my life.

I am grateful for those that have been with me throughout my life but most importantly in the past 6 years.

One Big Favor

As I celebrate my 34th birthday today I can only ask you for one thing.

Understand that we are here on earth with a mission. To define that mission might take a lifetime. But take a moment now to realize and think of what you have accomplished and put one thing you want to do in the next week or so on a piece of paper.

Just one goal which you want to accomplish it can be simple it can be complex just make sure you will go after it.

Another and more important Favor

One more thing I love the work Mark Horvath does if you can take a moment make a donation to Mark’s organization, share Mark’s work with a friend, or help someone in need out today it would mean the world to me.

Happy Birthday To Me

Daniela-on-my-34th 9 Years After my 25th Birthday
Photo Taken by Lucy

Filed Under: Featured, Holidays Tagged With: Happy Birthday

My 3rd Year Anniversary as a Dad

December 28, 2013 by Raul Colon

Christmas-2013-Daniela-Juanga-1 My 3rd Year Anniversary as a Dad

As I stare at my daughter’s eyes this morning and she pushes her Cinderella figurine into my cheek I realize how in just three short years my life can change.

It was three years today that I caught a glimpse of my daughter and I remember the moment like it was seconds ago. At that moment I realized that it was time to start executing everything I had planned while waiting for her arrival.

Planning and Executing as a Parent is Different

When I talk about execution as a parent it seems a bit weird. I see how Lucy and I have worked around many obstacles and experiences to bring as many positive opportunities around our daughter. What is weird about the whole situation is that for me I associated executing tasks as work but when it comes to my daughter it comes out naturally and I don’t see it as work.

A Deeper Connection

I guess being a parent is very different than when you launch a project, company, or an idea. Those things can disappear very easily from the horizon some harders than others. I have launched many projects, efforts, and ideas that I probably can’t recall all of them.

With my daughter it is different I know my commitment to her is eternal. Every day I try to give a bit of my soul to her and give her the best I got.

The Parenting Perspective

My perspective as a parent for three years now is completely different from when I was not a parent. How I react to things has been modified fairly but overall one thing I can say is that I put my daughters priorities over my own as every parent probably does.

In three years of being a parent I have realized that patience is something we all need to work on but more importantly I have learned to value each goal and dream of mine even more.

Christmas-2013-Daniela-tree-1-2 My 3rd Year Anniversary as a Dad

My Main Motivation  to Chase After My Dreams

Thanks to Daniela it makes it easier to follow my dreams. The Main reason is because I want to lead by example. So many talented individuals stop chasing their dreams ( I see it as an excuse) because they became parents. I understand the part of bringing food to the table but is it creating a better environment for everyone.

But I really want to be an example to my daughter. I want her to go after her dreams and know that Dad went after his dreams (where she as in all of them) even when they were not clear.

I want my daughter to put her energy into what she thinks is the best outcome for her future. I am looking forward to that opportunity where I can see what route she takes but in the meanwhile I am enjoying every moment where I get to step on her toys and have her play little pranks on me while she giggles and smiles.

I love my daughter more than anything and I can’t wait till the day where she does the same to my grandkids.

A Gift from Payasa Agapita

Thanks Payasa Agapita. 

Happy 3rd Birthday Daniela!

I hope you have an awesome year playing with Cinderella and her loyal friends the pterodactyl and Peppa pig.

Reach for the top Daniela you can do it!

Christmas-2013-Daniela-1 My 3rd Year Anniversary as a Dad

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Daniela, Happy Birthday

Wishing my Other Half an Awesome Birthday!

December 20, 2011 by Raul Colon

5466447418_4195fc3951_z Wishing my Other Half an Awesome Birthday!

Many individuals in life try to find that special someone who will clearly complement them. Although many might live their complete lives searching for that person I think I have gotten as close as I could on that aspect.

Only a year ago I was along that special person waiting to become parents. A year later on my other Half’s Birthday I have to say that our world has changed greatly.

Parenting can bring many obstacles but along with those struggles to become a better parent you receive many gifts that are results from the goals you have reached together.

My Daughter Has an Awesome Mom

Being a dad has been an amazing experience but seeing that my daughter has the best mom possible makes it even better. The time that we invest in our daughter giving her making sure she is healthy and continuously learning is something Lucy also take a larger part of the weight.

The Baker and Cook

Since our daughter was born we have decided to take many routes that involve more work than what others decide to do. Lucy creates all of our daughter’s food from fresh produce. Instead of buying baby food we decided to have as much control as possible of what our daughter intakes. Lucy takes the heavy load of the effort when she is creating and putting together Daniela’s menu.

Lucy also is a great baker creating everything from muffins to Vegan Cookies. The same treats which we might give a sample or two to our daughter to try along.

Business Partner Extraordinaire

Lucy tries to help me as much as she can as a business partner. I am able to run many blogging efforts such as Papaheroes.com, Veglatino.com, Cimapr.net, and raulcolon.net because Lucy always rolls up her sleeves and does a lot of the legwork to keep these efforts running. If you find any typos in this post it might be because she did not proofread this post yet. On the business side she is awesome with executing and creating relationships with individuals that are not in my circles or networks. Overall she complements most of my weaknesses and does a better job at things that I still need to work on.

Meeting my Life Partner

I met Lucy approximately 7 years and 3 months ago. Since then she has been by my side in trying to create what we think is the best future for both of us.

In times where others have given up or would have given up she has stood by my side enduring such hardships as a home foreclosure and dealing with taking care of a close family member during his last days due to a terminal illness.

I could have not met anyone better to complement me and be my side. I can’t think of a better mom for my daughter and I love the great things she does for her every day.

Since my daughter is just about to turn 1 year old on behalf of my daughter and myself I want you to congratulate my other half on her birthday.

Happy Birthday!

Thank you for being the best Mom and Partner in the World.

I love you!

 

Filed Under: Family, Featured Tagged With: Happy Birthday, Lucy

Happy Birthday Daddy!

April 23, 2011 by Lucilla Feliciano

Happy-Birthday-Daddy Happy Birthday Daddy!
Daniela trying to hold the card in her hand.

Today Raul celebrates his 31st birthday. We just wanted to take the time out to say that we love him very much and appreciate everything he does. He is a great father to Daniela and loves our dog JuanGa.

Daniela can’t write because she is only four months old, but her smile lets Raul know, that she loves him very much.

So please join our family in saying Happy Birthday to Raul.

Filed Under: Blog, Family, Featured, Guest Posts Tagged With: Happy Birthday, Raul Colon

Search
  • Puerto Rico's Beaches

  • Privacy Policy

  • Puerto Rico's Revolution Photos

RAULCOLON.NET RUNS ON THE GENESIS FRAMEWORK & POWERED BY WP ENGINE
SQUEEZED & SWEETENED BY LIMONADE INC.

All Rights Reserved.

COPYRIGHT © 2019 Raúl Colón Photographer & Activist