Millionaire Quintin Primo Reveals What’s Behind a Billion-Dollar Business

Quintin Primo, chairman and chief executive officer of Capri Investment Group, a Black Enterprise 100s company (and one of the nation’s most successful real estate investment firms), is an exceptional and notable leader in investing.

[Related: Millionaire’s Corner: Quintin Primo Talks Surviving A Failed Business To Building A $4 Billion Asset Firm]

With more than $3.6 billion in assets under management with his Capri Investment Group, and now expanding internationally in the emerging regions of Africa, India, and the Middle East, Primo obviously holds the key to investment success.

BlackEnterprise.com caught up with Primo to see if he’d share that key in order to enlighten aspiring entrepreneurs as we gear up for the 2016 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit, May 4-7, Loews Miami, Miami, FL.

Check out his insights:

BlackEnterprise.com: If I’m a novice entrepreneur that one day looks to be a billionaire, what would you tell me to start doing today? 

Primo: Start thinking outside of the box, and realize you have to be a millionaire before you become a billionaire, so stay focused on the present. I am not yet a billionaire, but this is my belief.

When did you know you stumbled on a career/industry that would prove to be more lucrative than most?

I went into commercial real estate knowing that it was the source of great wealth for so many of America’s wealthiest families, especially in New York. But anything that you truly love doing, you can make money at. I went into CRE, first and foremost, because I loved architecture and buildings and, second, because I loved finance.

What do you know now as a successful entrepreneur that you wish you’d known when first starting out?

Just how extraordinarily difficult it would be, with so many failures along the way. But those few moments of great accomplishment are exhilarating and gives one the encouragement to forge on.

What do you think it is about your business practice that makes you wildly successful? 

I put others first, always. In everything we do at Capri, we seek to challenge common thinking and the status quo. We think differently. We believe this accrues not only to the benefit of our investors and customers, but to all we interact with — especially those living in the world communities in which we invest.

What have you noticed is the biggest mistake a new entrepreneur makes?

He or she gives up, is not properly capitalized, or doesn’t include partners that can help on the journey.

What is the key not only to succeeding, but to excelling beyond expectation?

Set your aspirations ridiculously high, and never take ‘no’ as an answer.

What should attendees of the 2016 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit expect from your One-on-One Conversation detailing your leadership and success?

Honesty.

Learn as Primo discusses his passion for innovation, taste for competition, and no-prisoners philosophy of leadership at the 2016 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit, May 4-7, Loews Miami Hotel, Miami. REGISTER NOW.

Be sure to follow Black Enterprise on social media @BlackEnterprise for Entrepreneur Summit news, highlights, and updates. Use hashtag #BESummit to stay in the loop.