Luis Andrade | Exclusive Interview

 




What was the decisive moment that made you decide to become an entrepreneur/business owner?

"The life story of my late paternal grandfather has always been a great source of inspiration for me. Both my father's and mother's families are from Paraná. As a young man, my grandfather served in the Brazilian Army; later, he opened a diner at the Alvorada do Sul bus station and eventually became a truck driver. However, he never stopped dreaming big and working tirelessly. He was one of the agricultural pioneers in the city of Chapadão do Sul, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Because of his vision and courage, and by God's grace, I had a very blessed and privileged childhood.

I remember the last time I spoke with my grandfather on the phone; I was going through a very difficult time. I asked him, 'Grandpa, do you think I should keep trying and pursuing my dreams here in the United States, or return to Brazil and take care of what you built for us?' He replied that I should keep fighting for my dreams. Three days later, he passed away. That conversation serves, and will continue to serve, as an inspiration to me for the rest of my life."


What inspired you to take this path and what were the first steps?

"I hold a degree in Political Science from the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, and initially, I intended to pursue a career in politics. In fact, I was the youngest person in the history of Fort Smith to run for mayor in 2018, at just 21 years old. Shortly after graduating in late 2019, I secured an internship working day-to-day, side-by-side with the Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas, Tim Griffin, who currently serves as the state's Attorney General.

However, in early 2020, at the very beginning of what I thought would be a long career, the State Capitol in Little Rock, where I worked, was temporarily closed due to COVID. With no clear expectation of when we would return to work, I decided to start my first business here in Fort Smith to stay busy and earn some money during the summer. I started with a landscaping and lawn care company alongside a friend. At the same time, my parents helped me purchase three small houses to fix and flip, marking my first venture into the real estate sector.

Since then, my entrepreneurial journey expanded into ventures in the excavation and earthmoving, aviation, and oil & gas transportation sectors."



How do you deal with failure or mistakes made along the way?

"Initially, I struggled to handle mistakes and failures, of which I experienced many. I started everything very young, on my own, and without any family nearby, so I ended up making quite a few missteps in the beginning. I went through some very difficult times on this entrepreneurial journey.

Ultimately, I have learned that mistakes and failures are simply part of the process, and I always make it a point to seek counsel from people who possess the experience I lack. However, without a shadow of a doubt, my faith in Jesus is the most crucial factor of all; it is what sustains me every day and gives me the strength to keep moving forward. Without Him, I am nothing."


Currently, what are the latest news/launches of your business/company and what major projects/launches are planned for the coming year 2026?

"Our primary focus at the moment is on the projects we have named 'Grand View,' through which Royal Ridge is aggressively entering the luxury senior living sector for those aged 55 and older. We have Grand View projects underway in Fort Smith and Jonesboro, both in Arkansas, as well as in Nashville, Tennessee.

Now in 2026, Royal Ridge has also launched the construction of a new residential subdivision in Fort Smith called 'Liberty Ridge,' where we plan to build approximately 70 homes. Additionally, we have several other smaller-scale projects in progress throughout Northwest Arkansas. However, we are always seeking improvements and new opportunities for expansion within the construction and real estate sectors."

If you could go back in time, what would you say to your beginning entrepreneur self? What important advice would you give to someone who is starting now?

"Start small, and dream big. Be aware that entrepreneurship is very difficult and will require daily sacrifices. Without a shadow of a doubt, you will go through hard times, but they are part of the process. Do not be discouraged, and never give up. Seek to be around people who can teach you.

The most important characteristic of a good entrepreneur, in my view, is being a good salesperson—so learn how to sell before anything else. And finally, make Jesus your partner; put Him at the forefront of every decision. If you do this and do not give up, success is guaranteed, sooner or later. Good luck!"


About Luis Andrade

Luis Andrade, 30 anos, Fort Smith, Arkansas, USA

Luis Andrade is a Brazilian-American entrepreneur, a political science graduate from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, and a veteran of the United States Armed Forces. He is currently running for mayor again in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The election will be held in November.





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