Growing up in Flagler Beach, a small Florida town where everyone knew each other, I worked as a lifeguard for the city's Ocean Rescue when I was younger. It was an amazing job that allowed me to meet interesting people from all walks of life. One person who stood out was Anthony "Angelo" Cinelli, our pier security guard, who was new to our town in the late 90s.
Despite owning half of our town, including the bank, the city hall, several commercial buildings, and vacant land next to the pier, Angelo was always approachable and had time for me. He imparted life lessons that I still carry with me today. He had grown up in New Jersey and had started off in real estate by purchasing land and putting manufactured homes on it, eventually selling several acres to AT&T for their corporate headquarters.
When he came to our town, he took the job of pier security guard as a way to retire but still have a routine to keep him active. He would give me advice, encouraging me to find a job where I got paid with my brain, not my body. This inspired me to pursue a career in consulting and creativity, but Angelo's stories about real estate investing planted the seed for my future path.
Today, I honor Angelo through my work at Outlook Builds, a venture that is more than just a business for me. It's a way to pay tribute to Angelo and the impact he had on my life, and to continue his legacy of positive change in the world. I'm grateful for the lessons he taught me about business, community, and life, and I know he would be proud of the work we're doing.
