Introduction & Background
Alejandro Castillo grew up in a small village in Mexico, where opportunities were scarce and life was all about survival. His family lived in a modest home without running water, and from an early age, he learned the value of hard work.
“As a kid, I would wake up before sunrise to help my father in the fields. We didn’t have much, but we had love and determination. Still, I always dreamed of something bigger—a future where I could build something of my own,” Alejandro recalls.
At 19, with nothing but a few dollars in his pocket and a heart full of ambition, he made the difficult decision to leave Mexico and head to the United States in search of a better life.
Struggles & Hard Work
Life in the U.S. was not easy. Alejandro barely spoke English, had no connections, and worked whatever jobs he could find. His first job was as a dishwasher, followed by construction work, where he spent long days in the hot sun, earning just enough to survive.
“I was exhausted every single day, but I kept reminding myself—this is just the beginning. I didn’t come all this way to quit,” he says.
Determined to learn a trade that could secure his future, Alejandro took an unpaid apprenticeship with a local plumber. He worked from dawn till noon learning the craft, then spent the next eight hours at a restaurant washing dishes.
“There were weeks when I barely slept. I was working 16, sometimes 18 hours a day. But I knew that one day, it would all be worth it.”
Building His Business
After years of learning the trade and saving every dollar he could, Alejandro finally took the leap and started Castillo Plumbing & Drain.
“I’ll never forget my first day as my own boss. I had my own truck, my own tools, and my name on the business. It felt terrific—like I was finally in control of my future.”
His business took off because of his hard work, honesty, and commitment to doing every job right. He took emergency calls in the middle of the night, worked weekends, and made sure every client felt like they were his most important customer.
“I treated every house like it was my own. People noticed. They trusted me, and they started telling their neighbors, their friends. Before I knew it, I had more work than I could handle.”
Challenges & Sacrifices
The road to success wasn’t easy. Alejandro faced discrimination, financial struggles, and the constant fear of failure.
“There were customers who hesitated to hire me because of my accent. There were months when I didn’t know if I’d make enough to pay my bills. But every challenge made me tougher, more determined.”
He also sacrificed years of his personal life, missing birthdays, holidays, and family gatherings while he built his business.
“My wife would tell me to slow down, but I couldn’t. I was building something not just for us, but for our kids, for their future.”
Achieving the American Dream
Today, Castillo Plumbing & Drain is a thriving company with multiple employees and a fleet of trucks. Alejandro owns a home, has put his children through college, and even gives back to his hometown in Mexico by funding clean water projects.
“When I look back at where I started—sleeping on the floor, working for pennies—I feel nothing but gratitude. I am my own boss now, and it feels incredible. I worked for years making other people rich, but now, every hour I work is for my own dream.”
Advice for Others
Alejandro’s advice to others chasing their dreams?
“Never be too proud to start from the bottom. Work harder than anyone else, learn from your mistakes, and never let fear stop you. If you keep pushing forward, one day, you’ll wake up and realize—you made it.”
His journey is proof that with determination, sacrifice, and heart, anything is possible.