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ric Esquivel, owner/publisher of La Isla magazine, the premier Latino publication in the Lowcountry, is not only living the American Dream, but is also a product and proponent of that dream. The idea and promise of America served as the foundation of success the Esquivel family cultivated for themselves after moving here in 1983. Esquivel’s father, a doctor and immigrant from Columbia, and his mother, of German descent from New Jersey, instilled in their children the values that he credits for much of his success. “I learned about the American Dream from my dad,” Esquivel said. “He taught me the value of hard work, ethics, and innovation.”
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Esquivel’s dad came to the United States from South America on a medical scholarship. “My dad was an old-school doctor who made house calls whenever necessary, and sometimes he would bring home okra or watermelons or some other compensation as payment,” Esquivel said. “Because of his values, people loved and respected my dad at a time when there were literally no other Latinos in the area.” In 1994, when Esquivel graduated from Hilton Head Island High School, he was one of only a few Hispanics. In fact, his dad was the first Spanish-speaking doctor in the Lowcountry, and his older brother was the first Spanish-speaking lawyer on the island. “We really didn’t know Latino families growing up here,” he explained. “I was taught early on how to be innovative and make a difference.” In fact, one of Esquivel’s mantras is “Adapt or die.” From his mom, Esquivel learned to be open-minded. When his mom fell in love with his dad, she also fell in love with the Latin culture, he shared. “She was a cheerleader from New Jersey and my grandfather was a renowned coach and referee in baseball, basketball, and football. We were pretty Americanized, but every summer, my mom made sure went to Columbia so we could learn about the culture. She loved it there as much as my dad.” They spent summers with aunts, uncles, and cousins in South America who taught Esquivel what it meant to be a Latino—who they are, how they live and structure their lives. From them, also, Esquivel learned to speak the Spanish language. In college, Esquivel learned the value of communication. He attended Hampden-Sydney College in Farmville, Virginia, the third
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“MAKING A CULTURAL LEAP WITHIN YOUR BUSINESS AND ADAPTING YOUR BUSINESS TO A NEW DEMOGRAPHIC CAN BE ONE OF THE MOST GRATIFYING DECISIONS ANY BUSINESS OWNER CAN MAKE THAT WILL INEVITABLY LEAD TO MORE SUCCESSES AND OPPORTUNITIES.”