From Stocking Shelves to Financial Empowerment: Rick Diaz’s Journey to Blueprint Advocate

The Moment That Changed Everything: A Simple Lesson on Pride and Purpose

NATIONWIDE - (USAnews.com) In 1999, Rick Diaz found himself stocking shelves at Albertsons in Paramount, California—a job that, while paying the bills, seemed far from the dream he had envisioned for himself. By 21, his pay was maxed out, and the path to advancement seemed unclear. But as Rick would soon learn, his journey to success wasn’t defined by his job at a grocery store; it was defined by the drive instilled in him by his grandparents.

At just six years old, Rick’s life was turned upside down when he lost his mother. In an act of deep love and commitment, his father brought his parents from Mexico to the United States to help raise him and his siblings. His grandfather and grandmother quickly set to work, teaching Rick lessons that would last a lifetime. One of those lessons was instilled through early childhood work: selling donuts and oranges door-to-door.

“Selling door-to-door as a kid is tough,” Rick reflects. “But it built grit. That’s where my work ethic came from.”

That determination and work ethic served Rick well as he ventured into his first real job, courtesy clerk at Smith’s Food King in La Puente. However, it wasn’t just any job. On his very first day, he was thrown into the deep end with a responsibility that would test his resilience.

The Lesson That Transformed His Perspective

As Rick was learning the ropes in the store, a moment would arise that would define his approach to work for years to come. Thirty minutes into his first shift, the store manager, Wally, asked him to clean up a mess in the bathroom. To Rick’s dismay, he walked into the restroom to find feces smeared across the walls. Standing there in disbelief, he thought to himself, “Of course, the lowest guy on the totem pole gets this job.”

But then, something unexpected happened. Wally didn’t just tell Rick what to do. He led by example. He took off his gloves, walked into the bathroom, and scrubbed the walls with his bare hands, cleaning the mess with pride and professionalism. The moment was profound.

“Rick, I’m going to show you something,” Wally said. “It doesn’t matter what the job is, you do it well, and you do it with pride.”

For Rick, that moment was a turning point. As he watched his manager’s dedication to getting the job done properly, no matter the task, he thought to himself, My grandfather would approve of this. It was a lesson that stayed with him, guiding every decision and every job he took thereafter.

The Leap to Entrepreneurship: From Credit Cards to Business Ownership

After years of hard work, Rick encountered an opportunity that would change the trajectory of his life. He received a credit card offer in the mail and, rather than using it for unnecessary expenses, he responsibly used it to build his credit. Over time, Rick was able to secure additional credit lines, which helped him establish a foundation for his first business.

"I used credit strategically to build my business," Rick says. “At my peak, I owned four stores. Credit, when managed responsibly, can be a tool to support growth.”

The key lesson here was the importance of financial knowledge, something Rick would later pass on to others. But his journey wasn’t without its challenges. Years later, his friend, Dan Caldwell, founder of TapouT, shared his own tale of how a lack of financial preparedness nearly derailed their business. When TapouT’s merchant processing froze due to poor credit, they faced a financial crisis, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in transactions locked up. It wasn’t until they found a co-signer and built stronger credit that they regained control of their business and reached new heights.

“Credit doesn’t just start a business. It keeps it alive,” Rick says, emphasizing the importance of understanding and building credit responsibly.

The Pandemic Pivot: A New Mission and Purpose

Fast forward to 2019. Rick’s life was about to change again. As he prepared for fatherhood, his girlfriend and he were expecting their first child. But then, the pandemic hit, and everything shut down. The world seemed at a standstill, but for Rick, it became an opportunity for transformation.

With more time at home, Rick focused on something that had been a long-time goal: improving his credit. By the time the pandemic was over, his financial situation had completely shifted, thanks to the lessons he had learned over the years. But Rick’s transformation wasn’t just personal. He realized that if he could turn his life around with financial literacy, so could many others, especially in the Latino community, which he felt was underrepresented and undereducated in this crucial area.

“That second chance changed everything for me,” Rick says. “If this could transform my life, imagine how many other people could benefit from this knowledge, especially in my community.”

It was then that his mission became clear: He would dedicate his life to teaching financial literacy to the Latino community, helping others navigate the same challenges he had faced, and offering strategies to build wealth, create businesses, and protect their families.

A Vision for the Future: Empowering the Latino Community

In 2020, Rick founded Blueprint Advocate Financial Strategies with one goal in mind: to empower the Latino community with the financial knowledge they need to thrive. He wanted to create a business that allowed him to be present for his family while also helping others. And with a business model built for the digital age, Rick created a pandemic-proof platform that could educate and support people in need of financial guidance, no matter where they were located.

“The Latino community is slowly gaining momentum in the United States, but we are still overlooked, underestimated, and under-taught,” Rick explains. “If we empower the hardest-working people with financial literacy, it’s game over.”

Rick Diaz’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, financial knowledge, and the importance of giving back to one’s community. From stocking shelves at a grocery store to building a thriving business that helps others achieve financial independence, Rick is showing that with the right tools, anyone can overcome the odds and build a better future.

For more information about Blueprint Advocate and how to start your journey toward financial empowerment, visit Blueprint Advocate Financial Strategies.