Starting over at age 30 with a pregnant wife, no money, and a shattered career dream could have broken Jack Oujo. Instead, it became the unlikely foundation for building one of America’s largest tax-focused wealth management firms. Oujo relied on discipline, preparation, and relentless self-education to reinvent himself.

As Oujo tells roving reporter Rotbart from personal experience, successful leaders need a “Plan B” for when things don’t go as planned. He also explains why consistent processes often matter more than lofty goals — and why trust and customer service became the cornerstone of his business philosophy. 

Before entering wealth management, Oujo spent eight years as a professional baseball umpire. As he notes, however, unlike ballplayers, most people don’t get three strikes when it comes to managing their finances. Batter UP!