When exploring different stories of many Charter alumni, there will be people that have changed themselves for the better to become great at something. With Adrian Cortez, it was simple. From day one, Cortez knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur and all he had to do was prove people wrong along the way. Taking the road to find his own business, the Cortez Collection, he mentions how his endeavor wasn’t as hard as it seems; simply, this was the start of a memorable journey.
“I always had friends that were older than me,” Cortez says, “So I was a freshman sitting in a senior square and always just hanging out with the older kids.” This really helped him with his business. He didn’t know it then, but meeting older people would be a huge part of his job. Encountering with established people in high school and real estate are very different; however, it is similar when it comes to communication. It takes a level of respect to communicate with older adults, and this is one of Cortez many strengths.
Being a key part of many sports teams while in Charter benefitted Cortez like being part of the swimming team and water polo during his time. In the classroom, Cortez wasn’t the best student. “It was really sports that kept me in school,” Cortez said. Then it was also the coach not believing in him either, “My coach told me I had a better chance being President then being the captain.” However, he stayed centered, positive and soon became the captain of his team, proving to himself that he can do anything.
Overcoming adversity isn’t the easiest thing, especially when that adversity is taking a new path. Going to college, leaving your family, and moving on to adulthood means that seniors will be facing this obstacle in less than a year. “Tighten up,” Cortez says to the seniors who are worried about making the transition: “You have to be aware of yourself and being aware of yourself is the best thing you could ever do.” It may take some time for some seniors to realize that being oneself and being aware of that will make the transition much easier.
Teens who struggle with staying motivated to work in school, work, or balancing their endless hobbies will eventually find what their passion is and believe in their expertise. Cortez says to search for that motivation, “Find something…find somebody that needs you in their life.” To stay proactive isn’t easy, but to love something or someone can be that motivation to then eventually succeed. It is the resource that everyone has, they just need to search for it.
Doing Cortez’s job isn’t easy, he only makes it seem easy. In his physique and personality, one would never think he was stressed or flattered by anything surrounding him. Confidence is the biggest thing teens stumble upon because they are scared of embracing their flaws. Cortez can admit he wasn’t the brightest or that people didn’t believe him along the way. He can also say that he found a way to be great at what he does.
“Before I knew it, I was a realtor,” Cortez said. The journey seems smooth when others look at it, he would make many problems in his life seem this way, but this doesn’t mean there wasn’t an ounce of adversity: “For anybody that’s struggling with that: find somebody to look up to, go talk to somebody that you look up to.” Do not waste a talent that is somewhere inside of you. Be great, confident, and attack the impossible.
