Meet Diego Torres-Palma: Developer, investor, and podcast host for Startup to Storefront

We had the good fortune of connecting with Diego Torres-Palma and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diego, what role has risk played in your life or career?
In all pursuits, you’re going to encounter risk. Whether you’re trying to hit a 3-point shot which is a high-risk, low probability shot compared to a free-throw, you will encounter risk. Even asking for a raise or promotion involves risk; risk of upsetting your boss, the risk/fear of rejection, and most of all the risk of finding out maybe you aren’t as valued as you might have originally thought at your workplace. To take risks requires us to be brave.

As an investor and real estate developer, I try to focus on the mitigation of risk and understanding that solutions can only exist once we find or understand the current problem. Something I learned from Charlie Munger is using the inversion principle which flips a problem on its head. As an example; imagine you’re baking a loaf of bread for the first time and perhaps you aren’t very savvy in the kitchen (like me), consider how might you burn the bread? The inversion principle would have you consider the question of how you might fail or completely ruin your chance for success. Your answer would include leaving the bun in the oven for longer than prescribed, or going off-recipe, or under-cooking the bread by cooking it for less time or at a lower temperature. The point is, once you know what not to do, then understanding what to do becomes a bit more clear.

My journey with risk started with my first company. I launched a product in a market I knew nothing about and yet many people told me I would fail and would constantly remind me that 97% of startups don’t make it. Well, the good news is I didn’t fail and in that, I learned that in life YOU CREATE YOUR OWN DATA. The simple truth is if you want to improve your current state — you’ll need to take risks and the good news is you can negotiate your own future. On our podcast, Startup to Storefront, I speak to Founders of all levels on a weekly basis. A common theme is embracing risk and also being aware that the hard part has less to do with taking the risk and more to do with the narrative or story the fear creates in your own mind. If you can silence or become aware of that voice, the risk becomes much more manageable.

Lastly, without risk, we wouldn’t have iPhones, wifi, electric cars, and the promise of inhabiting a new planet. The world needs risk-takers in order to push the boundaries and make the world a better place.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Diego Torres-Palma is a developer, investor, and podcast host for Startup to Storefront, a media company focused on raising awareness of top entrepreneurship ventures. After several years in the tech industry, Mr. Torres-Palma has shifted his focus to real estate development and is redefining what it means to be a developer in today’s market. Diego is focused on consumer-facing industries that are poised for growth and is betting big on breweries and coffee shops throughout the United States.

His first real estate project landed him in Bell, California where he helped bring a San Diego-based Mexican Brewery to a 90% Latino community in LA County. His main focus is on community enrichment and inclusion as opposed to cultural disruption and displacement.

Another way Diego Torres-Palma and his firm, Ventana Ventures, engage the community is by filming the entirety of the projects from day one through the grand opening, releasing the videos to update and educate the community. The videos are released as weekly episodes and give viewers a behind-the-scenes window into the design, permitting, and construction phases. His next projects on the horizon are in West Hollywood, CA, and in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’re spoiled here in LA with amazing vegan restaurants — brunch at crossroads kitchen on melrose is a must.

We all enjoy a scenic drive to Malibu and while there we can get what I think is the best lobster roll on the planet at Broad Street Oyster.

Dinner under the stars at The Little Door on W3rd

Favorite coffee shop: Farm Cup Coffee

Brunch by the Hollywood sign: Beachwood Cafe The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A special thank you to all of our Startup to Storefront guests. The Founders who come on the podcast inspire and help me navigate the constant challenges that we encounter on our startup journeys.

Website: https://ventanaventures.io/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diego_ventures/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegoventures/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/diegoventures

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/startuptostorefront