The bird left the nest.

For the first time in my life, I left Miami and headed to the big city — Atlanta, Georgia. It was time to put into practice everything I had learned from my father at Central Truck Sales.

At Phoenix Truck Center, I partnered with Mr. Paul Conway, my largest supplier of Ryder trucks. It was the perfect partnership. I brought the truck dealer experience and industry knowledge. Paul brought business savvy, wisdom, discipline, and the capital to help build something special.

Over the next five years, I learned lessons that went far beyond trucks.

Paul taught me the realities of business and life. How to stay disciplined. How a sharp business mind thinks. The importance of organization, spreadsheets, cash flow, raising capital, and keeping your hands up when challenges come your way.

We used to joke and call it “The Paul Conway School of Economics.”

Together, we built Phoenix Truck Center into a company that generated more than $25 million in sales. It was an incredible chapter filled with growth, friendships, lessons, victories, and a few scars along the way.

It was bittersweet when that chapter came to an end. The mission was accomplished, the lessons were learned, and the foundation was set.

The boosters had done their job.