Meet Miguel Vazquez

We recently connected with Miguel Vazquez and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Miguel with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

My work ethic is deeply rooted in my family’s history and my own life experiences. Growing up with immigrant parents and grandparents who worked tirelessly to provide for their families, I learned the value of hard work early on. My parents, career marines, exemplified dedication and perseverance, having worked relentlessly to escape the tough neighborhoods they grew up in. I started working at a young age to learn how to provide for myself and managed to graduate high school early to join the military as soon as possible.

Serving two combat tours early in the war on terror pushed me beyond my limits and taught me to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Surviving combat instilled in me a commitment to honor my fallen brothers and sisters by pushing myself in everything I do. Upon leaving the military, I built a business, which provided valuable insights into thriving as a business owner, especially within a family business. After a decade of building the business, I experienced failure, which taught me that resilience extends beyond the battlefield and helped me develop the strength to continue growing professionally.

Shifting my mindset from personal wealth to community wealth allowed me to redefine my sense of service to both me and my country. Helping to provide for our community, particularly during the pandemic, reinforced the importance of my hard work and its impact.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I was raised across the United States, predominantly in California, as a child of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent, imbued with a deep sense of cultural pride. Being a military brat, my childhood oscillated between military bases in California and North Carolina, fostering a strong sense of patriotism tempered with a community-first perspective. My early life on bases instilled in me the importance of volunteering, particularly in initiatives aimed at feeding the less fortunate. Visits to my parents’ childhood neighborhoods exposed me to the harsh realities they escaped by joining the military—environments rife with addiction and violence, which shaped my commitment to peace and community service. This exposure, alongside my passions for books and music, which provided solace in all times, deeply influenced my worldview and dedication to community service.

After serving overseas, I fully recognized the sacrifices my parents made to shield me from the socioeconomic challenges of their youth, inspiring me to serve similarly under-resourced communities. My efforts focused on empowering local youth, guiding them toward military service or higher education, thereby fostering a cycle of giving back. This led to my involvement with Compton Veterans, and eventually to the founding of The Veterans Activists—a national nonprofit aimed at engaging veterans in community service. Our work is critical, especially in times of increasing hardship for many, by improving veterans’ lives and enhancing the communities they reside in. This initiative not only provides veterans with a sense of purpose post-service but also plays a crucial role in combating veteran suicide, demonstrating the life-saving power of community engagement.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I believe that with enough hard work, dedication, and compassion, anything good can come to fruition. Never be afraid to fail; failure is only as permanent as you allow it to be. Don’t feed the fear, but don’t ignore it either. Find ways to be mindful and present, appreciating the air in your lungs and the beat of your heart. Never stop learning because the world is the largest and most effective classroom.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to recognize that courage often brings such feelings—it’s nearly a daily challenge. To manage this, try taking each day as it comes and focus on balancing your efforts both at work and home; maintaining balance is crucial. Surround yourself with a supportive social circle that not only cares for your well-being but also uplifts you spiritually. Remember, we are inherently social beings, and connecting with others can bring much-needed positivity into our lives.

Additionally, it’s vital to identify the type of self-care that works best for you, which might require some trial and error. Self-care routines vary widely, and finding what genuinely helps you recharge is key. Finally, never lose faith in yourself or your cause. Keeping your belief strong is essential, as losing it can lead not only to emotional but also financial hardship. Stick to these strategies to navigate overwhelming situations with resilience and positivity.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ComptonVeterans
• Facebook: @ComptonVeterans
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/migvazquez/
• Twitter: @ComptonVeterans
• Youtube: @ComptonVeterans

Image Credits

Sherman Watson
Miguel Vazquez
Maria Zavala