Joel Gandara, whose journey includes a transformation from a “Marielito” with no money to an “underwear millionaire,”has a launched a South Florida coaching company to help other entrepreneurs achieve business and personal success.

Gandara’s multi-million-dollar apparel companies today include more than 20 brands, specializing in mens’ fashion underwear, as well as socks and swimwear.

The Florida International University graduate and Weston resident first arrived in the United States in 1980 at age fouron an overcrowded boat with his parents during the Mariel Boatlift.

Growing up poor motivated him to work extremely hard and become an entrepreneur by the time he was in fourth grade,hustling to sell stamps, trading cards and anything else he could to make money.

Gandara credits the early challenges for much of his business success, and he applies those impactful lessons for his new coaching clients.

“It’s not magic. It’s mainly sweat, effort and focusing on the right things in life or business, which anyone can do with a little help,”Gandara said. “Providing this guidance and coaching is the most rewarding work I’ve ever done.”

Since joining Entrepreneurs’ Organization South Florida (EO SOFLO) in 2015, Gandara has been providing volunteer mentoring to fellow members, students from StartUP FIU and other EO SOFLO community partners. EO SOFLO is one of the world’s largest EO chapters, with more than 200 members who run businesses with 10,000 employees and more than $2 billion in annual revenue in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. The group’s mission is to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth in the region, and it runs start-up and accelerator programs in conjunction with numerous South Florida colleges and other organizations.

Recently an EO member from another chapter heard of Gandara’s story and requested formal, paid mentoring. The successful advice quickly created several additional word-of-mouth referrals, leading him to officially launch Joel Gandara Coaching.

He already has 10 paid clients from around the country, including the owner of an $18 million South Florida business.

“I coached for free for many years, andI don’t do it for the money now. But I’ve learned people take and apply the guidance much more seriously when they’re paying for it,” Gandara said. “It’s exciting to literally change and improve people’s lives in a few phone calls.”

Gandara is an expert in business processes and efficiency. He preaches that entrepreneurs must systemize, professionalize and act as a CEO, no matter how small the company, “even if it’s just you and the cat.”

After many years of intense work and sacrifice, the systems and automation he’s developed in his apparel companies allow him now to work only a few hours a week, largely just checking in with his smartphone.

He also incorporates broader self-help, personal health and discipline training into his coaching services for clients, as well as his own life. He recently ran and completed his first marathon, finishing the 26.2 miles in just under four hours.

“Joel’s story is amazing, and he’s living the dream of pretty much every entrepreneur,” said Jerry Katz, president of EO SOFLO. “None of his fellow members here at EO are surprised at these accomplishments, and we’re sure he will be sharing and spreading even greater success for other entrepreneurs in this new coaching venture.”

For more details, go to www.joelgandara.com. For more on EO SOFLO, visit www.eosoflo.com.