The lifestyle of a successful entrepreneur is appealing to everyone, but many people have no clue where to start. They think that entrepreneurship is just for the lucky or select individuals that fall into money and opportunities. It can also be intimidating to leave a comfortable 9 to 5 position to pursue a dream that may not be successful. While all of those things are true, people like Carlos Reyes have shown that it doesn’t matter where you came from, you can become successful if you work hard enough.

Carlos Reyes, who came to America illegally as a child, started his working career bagging groceries for below minimum wage, and now runs one of the largest real estate operations in the U.S.

“My first job was actually selling bread. My family made the best bread, so my brother and I would go door to door selling that bread so that we could get by,” said Reyes, who spent years after that bagging groceries to make enough money to move  to the U.S.

Reyes and his mother were struggling so much when they moved to the U.S. that they stayed in a friends hallway surrounded by other tenants because they couldn’t afford a better place to live.

In a recent episode of the All In Entrepreneurs podcast, Reyes recalls walking hundreds of blocks every day to help his mom find work in the states.

“My mother was my inspiration, she worked in the fields of Arizona, and worked at the airport. She was working long hours at very low pay, just to provide for our family,” Reyes continued.

Reyes worked many odd jobs including construction and eventually a traditional 9-5 job before leaving to start his real estate company, National Cash Offer. Now, he runs over 14 successful businesses and employs hundreds of people, including many family members. He also warns that you shouldn’t just quit your 9-5 job without a plan.

“A 9-5 job isn’t a bad thing and you should keep working your 9-5 job. If you want to be successful, start working on your entrepreneurial itch after 5 o clock. Eventually, once you build up your expertise, you can leave your job without putting your family at risk.”

Entrepreneurship can be stressful and many don’t take the risk because of their own self-doubts. In that same interview, Reyes talked about the natural internal voices that question if you can actually do it.

“You are always going to have that feeling of wondering if you can actually do it, if you are worthy and if this is right for you. I questioned myself, sometimes every day, wondering if I could get there. If you just also keep the belief that you can, and you work hard enough, eventually things will work out.”

5 years after bagging groceries, Reyes now hosts coaching events under his brand All In Entrepreneurs, where he teaches aspiring entrepreneurs how to create financial freedom through real estate. The All In Freedom events consistently sell out and Reyes’ has become a household name in the industry.

There are thousands of stories of the American dream coming to fruition, some are stories of inherited money and generational success, while many have had to follow the path of Carlos Reyes. Reyes spent years proving his work ethic through humble jobs, then created his own opportunities to become successful. That blueprint isn’t as easy, but it’s certainly more rewarding.