Jacobo Husny Hanono is a Mexican athlete, creator, and business leader known for his drive and lifelong commitment to learning. Born in Mexico City to Salomon Husny and Farida Hanono, he grew up in a close community that valued education, service, and discipline. These early lessons shaped the way he approaches every part of his life.
Jacobo studied at Colegio Hebreo Tarbut, Colegio Hebreo Sefaradi, and Colegio Hebreo Monte Sinai, completing high school before expanding his education. He later earned diplomas and completed programs in real estate development and housing at Universidad Anahuac Mexico Norte. His interest in finance led him to the American Institute for Professional Trading, where he learned market strategy and trading fundamentals. This mix of real estate and financial training prepared him for a career built on smart decision making.
Jacobo is a member of the board for UMD, a transportation app in Mexico that serves his community. His work with UMD reflects his belief in practical solutions that improve daily life. He brings a strategic mindset to the project and focuses on growth, safety, and long-term value.
Outside of business, Jacobo is known for his strength in endurance sports. He has completed international marathons, triathlons, cycling events, and Ironman competitions. His training routine pushes him to be consistent and goal driven, traits he carries into his work.
He also enjoys backgammon, wine, F1, reading, and artisanal resin art. Jacobo supports multiple institutions in Mexico and Israel and continues to invest in personal growth, community impact, and creative work.
Q&A with Jacobo Husny Hanono on the Meaning of Success
You have been involved in sports, business, art, and community leadership. How do you personally define success?
Success for me is steady growth. It is not a single moment or a title. It is the long process of showing up each day with commitment. When I trained for my first international marathon, the race itself was not the important part. The early mornings in Mexico City, when I was out running before sunrise, were where the real progress happened. I use that same idea in business and learning. Success is built in small steps that add up over time.
You have completed marathons, cycling events, swims, and Ironman races. How have these experiences shaped your approach to work and education?
Endurance sports teach you how to stay calm under stress. During training for an Ironman event, I learned how to listen to my body and adjust when something felt off. That same awareness helps me in real estate development and market trading. For example, when I studied at the American Institute for Professional Trading, I noticed that trading felt similar to long-distance running. You make a plan, you stay patient, and you avoid reacting to every small shift. Sports taught me to trust preparation, and that mindset carries into everything I study or build.
You have studied real estate development, housing, and professional trading. What advice would you give someone who wants to grow in multiple fields?
Study one topic deeply first. When I attended Universidad Anahuac Mexico Norte for real estate development courses, I focused only on learning how projects work. I visited construction sites and spoke with people who had been in the field for years. Only after I understood the basics did I move into trading. People often want to pursue everything at once, but the strongest foundation is built one layer at a time. Once that base is strong, you can expand into other areas with more confidence.
What has been one specific challenge in your life that taught you something important about success?
During one marathon in another country, the weather changed quickly. It went from cool to hot in less than an hour. My pace dropped, and I had a moment when I thought I would not finish. I remembered something simple my father, Salomon, used to say when I was young. He told me that a problem is easier to handle if you look at only the next small step. So I focused on the next ten meters instead of the full race. That day taught me that breaking a challenge into tiny parts can save you from giving up. I use that same method in business decisions. When a real estate project looks complicated, I tackle one small part at a time.
You serve on the board of UMD, a community-focused taxi app in Mexico. What has this role taught you about leadership and success?
It taught me that success is not only personal. It is also collective. UMD supports mobility and safety in my community. Being part of the board means I hear real questions from drivers and passengers. One driver once told me that the app helped him support his family more safely. Moments like that remind you that success often comes from improving the daily life of others. Leadership is not about being in front. It is about serving in a way that creates impact.
You enjoy backgammon and are known to be an expert player. Has that influenced how you think about success?
Yes. Backgammon is strategy mixed with probability. You cannot control every roll, but you can position yourself wisely. Many people think success is pure talent. Backgammon teaches the opposite. You win when you make many small, smart decisions. Once, during a long match with a friend, I lost even though I had the better board early on. I made two small mistakes that changed everything. That game stayed with me. It reminded me that progress demands attention to detail and patience. One careless choice can undo hours of good work.
You have many creative hobbies like resin art and Huichol art. How do these hobbies fit into your idea of success?
Art teaches me to slow down. When you work with resin, you cannot rush the process. The material needs to settle at its own pace. Huichol art is also slow, detailed, and symbolic. These hobbies show me that success is not only about speed or results. It is also about quality, attention, and respect for the process. Creating something by hand helps you step back from the fast parts of life and reconnect with patience. That balance keeps me steady.
What would you tell someone who feels unsure about their path or worried that they are moving too slowly?
Start with what you can control. You do not need to run a marathon on the first day. You do not need to master trading or real estate in a single year. Pick one habit and keep it steady. Read a little each day. Take a short walk each morning. Learn one new skill each month. Slow progress is still progress. Many of the best things in my life came from years of small actions that seemed ordinary at the time. Success often begins quietly.