San Juan, Puerto RicoEstablished 2004

JonRomano

Entrepreneur and pianist. Twenty years of finding the problems nobody has solved yet — and, lately, of putting the work of extraordinary artists somewhere it has never been. They have a home on the Moon.

Twenty years, in order

The record

20years building
3ventures running
33rooms photographed
1museum on the Moon

What follows is the whole of it, told in the order it happened and in his own words — the lemonade stand, the agency, the crash, the exit, and the years after.

Age five

The first ledger

My earliest recollection of entrepreneurial endeavors dates back to my childhood, approximately at the age of 5, when I established a lemonade stand and engaged with the local ice cream vendor, initiating my first sales exchange. This initial spark led to the inception of a snow shoveling enterprise by the age of 8, catering to the needs of neighbors, followed by prudent investments in stocks using the earnings. Concurrently, I pursued various odd jobs to sustain my financial ventures and bolster my investment portfolio.

Fig. 1 — first exchanges

Foley, then New York

Sound, search, a one-way ticket

Venturing into the realm of music composition, I seized an opportunity to contribute Foley work for Comedy Central. Recognizing the potential to broaden my clientele, I launched a website and adopted search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to enhance its visibility, ultimately securing a foothold in the industry. Despite financial constraints, I established a presence in New York City, initially finding lodging in makeshift accommodations while diligently pursuing my entrepreneurial ambitions.

Fig. 2 — with the musicians

The agency, and 2007

Scaling, then surviving

Subsequently, I diversified my revenue streams by capitalizing on the burgeoning sharing economy, renting out spare rooms in my apartment to travelers through an innovative rental platform. This marked the inception of a formal SEO agency, which expanded its scope to encompass a spectrum of digital services including PPC, social media, affiliate marketing, and email campaigns. Despite meteoric success, the 2007 economic downturn posed formidable challenges, necessitating adaptability and resilience to navigate turbulent market conditions.

Fig. 3 — the agency years

Operator

The machine from inside

Transitioning from entrepreneurship to employment proved instrumental in broadening my skill set and fostering a deeper understanding of business dynamics. Eventually, I attained an ownership stake in a thriving enterprise, culminating in a successful exit and embarking on new professional ventures.

Fig. 4 — operators

San Juan

A portfolio and a family

Against the backdrop of personal milestones such as starting a family and relocating to Puerto Rico, I currently oversee a diverse portfolio of businesses, each presenting its own distinct set of challenges.

Fig. 5 — San Juan

Reflection

What twenty years taught me

Reflecting on two decades of entrepreneurial journey, I've gleaned invaluable insights that underscore the importance of embracing diversity of perspectives, learning from mistakes, and fostering a culture of continuous innovation. Central to this ethos is a profound appreciation for the collective efforts of teams and stakeholders, complemented by a steadfast commitment to personal growth and gratitude towards supporters.

In essence, my journey underscores the significance of resilience, humility, and unwavering determination in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship. Through perseverance and a genuine appreciation for life's nuances, I remain steadfast in my pursuit of creating value and making meaningful contributions to both business and society at large.

Fig. 6 — the Moon Project