A Shift in Direction

How one decision changed everything

Leaving a corporate career of more than ten years was not a romantic decision. It was uncomfortable, uncertain, and — at times — terrifying.

For a long time, I followed what is considered the “right” path: stability, steady growth, good income. On paper, everything made sense. But there was one thing I couldn’t ignore anymore: the need to decide for myself and to build something with intention.

I didn’t have all the answers when I took the leap. What I had were doubts, fear, and a future without guarantees. But I also had one very clear rule for myself: whatever I chose to do next, I would do it properly — and I would not go back.

The odds were not in my favor. I knew that. But I also knew that I could execute better.

That’s how it felt then. And that’s how it feels now.

Starting with almost nothing At the time, all I had was an aging property in Mérida’s historic center. It was far from perfect. But I saw potential — not just to renovate it, but to turn it into a well-designed, high-performing short-term rental.

I didn’t come from real estate or construction. There were many things I simply didn’t know — and most of what I learned, I learned the hard way, by being involved in every decision, every mistake, every problem.

That process became the foundation of what would later become Pathō. No shortcuts, no illusions

Building something of your own — and I intentionally avoid the word entrepreneurship — is not glamorous. I invested all my savings. I made mistakes. I felt pressure and stress I had never experienced before.

And I still do.

This isn’t a story I lived once and left behind. It’s something I live every day. Every project, every decision, every risk is part of a process that keeps evolving.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is simple: no one is going to do the work for you. If something needs to be done, you step in and do it. There are no shortcuts. No hidden heroes. What I brought from my past life

My background in marketing, operations, and customer experience became my unfair advantage.

It shaped how I approach real estate today:

• Designing properties with operational clarity

• Prioritizing service, durability, and long-term performance

• Treating guests like clients, not transactions

• Executing with discipline, not improvisation

  
  

Over time, I’ve also been fortunate to meet people who truly add value — partners and collaborators I now consider friends. I’ve also encountered the opposite. Both experiences were necessary. Learning who adds value — and who doesn’t — is part of building anything that lasts. Today, Pathō is simply the result of that process — designing and operating properties with intention, clarity, and respect for the work it takes to do things right.