How Alex Ruiz Went from Broke & Homeless to Funding $12 Million by 25
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this powerful episode of the Level Up Podcast, Paul Alex interviews Alex Ruiz, a 25-year-old entrepreneur who transformed his life from homelessness to building a multimillion-dollar credit repair and funding business. (04:18) Alex opens up about his challenging background growing up with nine siblings and a single mother, his journey through adversity, and how he built a business that has helped clients secure over $12 million in funding over the past three years. The conversation covers Alex's path from playing video games all day at 21 to discovering his passion for helping others through credit repair and business funding, particularly focusing on real estate investors, mortgage lenders, and veterans. (04:42) Alex shares his philosophy on standing out, being uncomfortable to grow, and the importance of separating yourself from the crowd to achieve success.
- Main themes include overcoming adversity, the importance of credit profile optimization, personal branding through live events, and the power of being willing to be uncomfortable for growth
Speakers
Alex Ruiz
Alex Ruiz is a 25-year-old entrepreneur and credit repair specialist based in Las Vegas who has helped clients secure over $12 million in funding over the past three years. Coming from a challenging background with nine siblings and a single mother, Alex experienced homelessness before transforming his life through entrepreneurship. He previously worked in door-to-door solar sales for three years, which helped him develop crucial communication and presentation skills that now serve him in his credit repair and funding business, ANR Enterprise.
Paul Alex
Paul Alex is the host of the Level Up Podcast, which has achieved over 4 million downloads and is ranked number one in business categories. He's a former police officer turned entrepreneur who helps ambitious professionals master their fields through mindset development and practical business strategies. Paul has experience building multiple successful businesses and emphasizes the importance of sales skills, personal development, and taking imperfect action to achieve success.
Key Takeaways
Separate Yourself to Stand Out
Alex emphasizes the critical importance of differentiation in business and life. (05:54) He explains that to succeed, you must be willing to look different, act different, and not be afraid to stand out from the crowd. Alex attributes much of his success to his willingness to separate himself and not mind standing alone. This principle applies whether you're entering a new industry, building a personal brand, or trying to break through in a competitive market. The key is overcoming the fear of looking foolish and embracing what makes you unique, even if it means going against conventional wisdom or social norms.
Credit Profile Matters More Than Credit Score
One of Alex's most valuable insights is that a credit score is just the application, but your credit profile is what actually gets you funded. (08:48) He explains that lenders look for specific qualifications: 10 or more accounts, at least one $5,000+ credit card, more than five years of credit age, three or fewer inquiries, and no derogatory marks. Many people focus solely on improving their credit score while neglecting these crucial profile elements. Alex's approach involves educating clients about these requirements and helping them build the right foundation before applying for funding, which significantly increases approval rates.
Be Willing to Be Uncomfortable to Grow
Alex candidly shares that he's naturally an introvert who doesn't like talking, especially when alone. (10:48) However, he emphasizes that growth requires discomfort and that he's willing to push through his natural tendencies to achieve his goals. (11:03) This mindset applies to all aspects of entrepreneurship - from making sales calls to speaking on stages to networking at events. The willingness to be uncomfortable while maintaining composure is what separates successful entrepreneurs from those who remain stagnant. Alex demonstrates this principle by actively speaking at events and building his personal brand despite his introverted nature.
Burn the Ships - Full Commitment is Essential
Throughout the interview, Alex repeatedly emphasizes the "burn the ships" mentality, referencing the historical strategy where explorers would destroy their ships upon reaching new land to ensure complete commitment. (06:35) He learned this lesson the hard way when trying to pursue both barber school and his consulting program simultaneously, realizing that splitting focus prevents you from fully committing to either path. This principle extends to all business ventures - half-hearted efforts yield mediocre results, while total commitment opens up possibilities that wouldn't exist otherwise. Success requires eliminating backup plans and going all-in on your chosen path.
Network Strategically by Going After the Big Dogs
Alex shares his unique networking strategy of always approaching the highest-level person in the room first. (26:54) Rather than starting with easier conversations, he studies who's throwing events, identifies the main organizers, and directly introduces himself to them. From there, he works his way down to their number two, number three, and so on. This approach has allowed him to gain access to exclusive communities and build relationships with influential people in his industry. The key is doing your homework beforehand, being bold enough to approach anyone regardless of their status, and being prepared to leave a memorable impression that sets you apart from others who are too intimidated to make the first move.
Statistics & Facts
- Alex has helped clients secure over $12 million in funding over the past three years, specializing in credit repair and business funding. (02:00) This statistic demonstrates the scale and impact of his business in a relatively short timeframe.
- Alex invested $15,000 in his first mentorship program called CEO Academy, which provided brand building, LLC formation, website development, and sales training. (18:53) This investment was crucial in launching his entrepreneurship journey alongside his barber school education.
- Alex comes from a large family with nine siblings and a single mother, which motivated him to learn barbering to save his family money on haircuts that typically cost $30-45 per cut. (17:06) This family dynamic shaped his drive to stand out and provide value to those around him.
