Antonio Juan Farias Arbelo is a farmer, exporter, and entrepreneur whose life reflects hard work, discipline, and a deep connection to his roots. Born on September 16, 1981, Antonio grew up between Spain and the Dominican Republic, spending key years in La Romana and Santo Domingo. This mix of cultures gave him a strong sense of identity and drive.
He began his education at Sagrado Corazón de María in La Romana. Later, he studied at the Instituto Marítimo Pesquero Andrés González Lines in Mariel, Cuba. These schools helped him build discipline and gain real-world skills. They also shaped his mindset: focus on growth, be patient, and stay curious.
Antonio built his career in two demanding fields: farming and exporting. Farming kept him grounded, connected to the land and the rhythm of nature. Exporting challenged him to think big and manage complex operations across borders. These two paths helped him build a stable, successful business that supports both local communities and international trade.
Outside of work, Antonio enjoys fishing, water sports, cycling, swimming, and tennis. These hobbies keep him active and balanced. He’s also known for giving back. His support for young kart driver Erick Cuesto showed his belief in helping others grow, just as he did.
Antonio’s story is not flashy. It’s real. It’s about consistency, purpose, and showing up every day to build a better life—for himself and for those around him.
Antonio Juan Farias Arbelo: Redefining Success Through Simplicity, Grit, and Balance
What does “success” mean to you today? Has that definition changed over time?
Success used to mean reaching a certain goal—owning a business, earning money, things like that. Now, it’s more about how I live. Am I waking up with purpose? Am I showing up for my family and my work? Am I still learning? For me, success today means balance. It’s being able to work hard, stay healthy, and support others, all without losing myself in the process.
You’ve worked in both farming and export. What lessons did each industry teach you about success?
Farming teaches you patience. You put in work, you wait, and you trust the process. Nothing grows overnight. Exporting, on the other hand, teaches you to act fast. You deal with logistics, deadlines, changing rules between countries. So one teaches you to slow down, the other to speed up. Learning how to move between those two taught me that success isn’t about choosing one pace—it’s about knowing when to switch gears.
Was there a moment when you felt like you had achieved “success”?
Not in a big, dramatic way. I think it was small things adding up. I remember one morning—simple day, nothing special—I was up early, walking through the field, checking on the crops. I had my phone in one hand, dealing with a shipment going out that week. And I just felt calm. Not stressed, not chasing anything. That moment made me think, this is it. That’s success to me—doing meaningful work and feeling like you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
How did your education shape your path?
I went to Sagrado Corazón de María in La Romana. It was a small school, but it built structure into my life. Later I studied at the Instituto Marítimo Pesquero in Cuba. That was more technical. It taught me practical skills. But what I really got from my education was confidence—knowing I could learn something hard and apply it. In farming and export, you always run into problems. My education taught me how to think through them instead of panic.
You’ve lived in Spain, the Dominican Republic, and now have ties in Miami. How has geography influenced your idea of success?
Living in different places showed me that success doesn’t look the same everywhere. In Spain, people value structure and tradition. In the Dominican Republic, it’s about relationships and community. In Miami, it’s fast-moving—very business-minded. I try to carry pieces of all three with me. Be disciplined, be warm, and don’t be afraid to move forward. You learn how to read people, how to adapt. That’s helped me a lot, especially in export.
Can you share a time when something didn’t work out—and what you took from that experience?
Early on in my export business, I lost a large shipment because of a paperwork issue. It was a rookie mistake. I didn’t understand how strict the receiving country was about packaging codes. I ended up losing money on that deal. It hurt. But after that, I became obsessive about preparation. I built a checklist system I still use today. I could have given up, but I realized failure’s just information—it tells you what you didn’t know.
You’re known for enjoying fishing, swimming, and cycling. How do these hobbies tie into your idea of success?
They keep me balanced. I don’t believe in grinding 24/7. When I go fishing, I’m not thinking about exports or schedules. I’m thinking about the water, the wind, the quiet. Those moments reset me. They help me show up better when I get back to work. Success isn’t just about output—it’s about having space to breathe, too.
You supported kart racing driver Erick Cuesto. What led you to invest in someone else’s success?
I saw potential in him. I also saw how hard it is for someone young and talented to move forward without help. No one makes it alone. I had people give me chances, so I try to do the same when I can. Supporting Erick was about more than money—it was about saying, I believe in you. That’s part of success, too—lifting someone else up.
Do you believe success should be shared?
Absolutely. If you build something and you’re the only one who benefits, it’s not real success. Success that doesn’t reach beyond you is just personal gain. I think about the people I work with, the people I hire, the people I support. If I can help make their lives better, even in small ways, then I know I’m doing something right.
What advice would you give to someone trying to define success for themselves?
Don’t follow someone else’s version of it. Look at your life—what gives you energy? What makes you proud at the end of the day? Build around that. And take your time. Real success isn’t loud. It’s steady. It’s honest. It shows up when you do.