Dr. Ruiz a Latino Entrepreneur of Relentless Discipline [Podcast]
Three Business Insights for Latino Entrepreneurs
Growing up in the rough-and-tumble streets of the 1980s Bronx, Dr. Jasen A. Ruiz, Sc.D., F-AAA, CCC-A,learned early on that resilience isn’t just a concept, it’s a way of life. Raised by parents who embodied the ultimate American dream after arriving from Puerto Rico, Dr. Ruiz inherited an uncompromising work ethic rooted in discipline, consistency, and the fundamental belief that nothing of value is ever handed to you.
“My mom and my father were the epitome of the American dream,” Dr. Ruiz shares. Watching his parents work full-time while navigating the financial sacrifices required to put him and his brother through Catholic school left an indelible mark. He vividly remembers his mother graduating with her master’s degree with a 4.0 GPA while managing a demanding career and household, setting a bar of excellence that left no room for complaints. Likewise, when his family faced hardship and needed a home in the winter of 1993, his father took the shell of a dilapidated building and built a warm home with his own hands—teaching a young Jasen the value of hard work, self-reliance, and mastering practical skills.
That foundation propelled him through his education at Iona University and Montclair State University, and into a thriving career in healthcare. After completing his fourth-year residency at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx—where he walked home for his mother’s home-cooked lunches, he discovered the profound impact of connecting with patients in their native tongue. Realizing how much trust is built when patients see someone who looks like them and understands their culture, Dr. Ruiz knew he wanted to build something of his own.
That entrepreneurial leap
That entrepreneurial leap wasn’t easy. Armed with an 800-credit score but unable to secure a traditional business loan in the wake of the 2009 financial landscape, he turned to family. With a detailed business plan in hand over a steak dinner in Brooklyn, he secured a vital loan from his cousin—paying it back within a year and a half. In March 2011, on his birthday, his first practice, Advanced Audiology of New York, opened its doors in Tuckahoe.
Nearly two decades into his career, Dr. Ruiz has transformed that single vision into a growing multi-state organization with seven locations across New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Yet, his entrepreneurial spirit refuses to slow down. He recently launched Jet Set Hearing Care, a luxury concierge service bringing white-glove audiology directly to assisted living and memory care communities and actively manages a thriving South Florida real estate portfolio.
Despite his demanding executive schedule, Dr. Ruiz maintains an astonishing personal discipline. Waking up daily at 4:45 AM for fasted cardio and quiet focus, he balances his business ventures with competitive bodybuilding—recently placing fourth nationally in Pittsburgh—and cherishing life with his wife, Janis, and their two sons, Masen and Ayden.
For Dr. Ruiz, true success is about more than professional accolades or a growing enterprise; it’s about community, family (familia), and leaving a lasting legacy. Whether he’s mentoring aspiring audiology students or speaking to the next generation, his message to inner-city youth and aspiring Latino entrepreneurs is clear: your environment does not define your destination. With vision, education, and unwavering grit, the sky is truly the limit.
Three Business Insights for Latino Entrepreneurs
- Build Your Business Around People (Familia Culture): True scale comes from surrounding yourself with talented individuals who believe in your core values and brand. Dr. Ruiz structures his practices around empowering his team, treating employees like extended family, and fostering deep community trust.
- Master the Pivot and Diversify Early: True entrepreneurial growth requires looking beyond a single revenue stream. By expanding from brick-and-mortar clinics into luxury concierge mobile care (Jet Set Hearing Care) and real estate investments, Dr. Ruiz protects his enterprise while continuously capturing new market opportunities.
- Extreme Discipline Drives Execution: Success is built on the mundane, unglamorous habits practiced daily. Whether maintaining a strict 4:45 AM routine for mental clarity or treating physical health and discipline as non-negotiable metrics, personal accountability directly fuels professional leadership.
Catch the full Cafecito with Latin Biz Today video podcast episode with Dr. Jasen A. Ruiz kicking off our Hispanic Heritage Month coverage right here on Latin Biz Today!
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