Page 53 - The 2021 Spring & Summer Club Braman Magazine
P. 53

However, what sounds like the makings of    He pursued his PhD at Loyola University in
                                  a Hollywood blockbuster turned out to be    Biblical Studies and founded a cleaning franchise
                                  anything but.                               that grew into a multimillion-dollar business.
                                                                              Wishing to avoid the familiar trappings of wealth,
                                  During the mid 1970s the legendary violence that   Jorge retired and moved with his third wife and
                                  would become a calling card of the cocaine trade   two young children to Cozumel, Mexico to raise
                                  was still a decade away. The first and only focus   them away from privilege.
                                  was on money, so Jorge convinced himself he could
                                  enjoy all the associated power and wealth without   Returning years later, Jorge felt more comfortable
                                  the risk or guilt. Being arrested and tortured   enjoying the finer things once again. It was then
                                  in Panama, and sentenced to a 15-year prison   he met Braman Motorcars’ General Manager
                                  sentence back in the United States proved that was   Steve Grossman, Sales Manager DeVaughn
                                  nothing but another fantasy.                Pickens, and Client Adviser David Banner, to
                                                                              became a full-fledged Club Braman member. Over
                                  After serving five years, Jorge returned to a   the years, Jorge has purchased between 20-25
                                  changed world. Guns were everywhere, and the   BMWs, Bentleys, and Rolls-Royces from Braman
                                  violence throughout South Florida during the ‘80s   Motorcars—the latter he describes as the most
                                  was at a crescendo. What finally convinced him to   amazing vehicle in the world.
                                  walk away from the life however, was stumbling
                                  upon his crying young daughter in the midst of   At the same time Jorge pursued a new mission--
                                  a lavish party. While he had everything, neither   concentrated on positively impacting the lives of
                                  he, nor his family, were happy. Unfortunately, the   others through speaking, publishing, and donating
                                  cartel didn’t offer your typical retirement plan, so   thousands of books to incarcerated men, women,
                                  Jorge attempted to break away expecting to have   and children, as well as helping to build chapels
                                  only months to live before he was eliminated.   on prison grounds. He has advised members of
                                                                              congress and presented as a keynote speaker at
                                  It was then his second arrest came—yet this time   multiple national and international conferences.
                                  Jorge didn’t fight it, instead surrendering all of his   Jorge even donates all of his royalties and speaking
                                  assets to the US government.                fees, as he is adamant that he does not wish to
                                                                              make money on the drama of his past—only to
                                  What his younger self would have considered   share a message of hope and redemption. He is
                                  the ultimate failure instead now represented an   perhaps most proud of his children however,
                                  opportunity to Jorge. He’d achieved his wildest   who have grown up to become lawyers, realtors,
                                  dreams, yet was empty inside. He decided to start   filmmakers, educators, and tech entrepreneurs.
                                  over with nothing, and this time, strike the elusive   While not the typical Hollywood tale, Jorge has at
                                  balance between success and personal fulfillment.   last found his happy ending.


                                                                                 To learn more about Jorge and revel in the details of his
                                                                                 life’s story and current work, visit JorgeValdesPhD.com.


























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