International businessman, entrepreneur, and executive Assaf Tarek Salim Perozo is the founder of Salim Group Investment. Since establishing the company in 2020, he has overseen various projects in commercial space construction, housing developments, and family-oriented projects. Assaf Salim has also ventured into other niches, with over 35 years dedicated to business ventures and 15 years in aviation.
Assaf Tarek Salim Perozo founded Regalitos in 1985 as his first commercial venture. The company, which retails assorted merchandise, operates in several locations worldwide. Other business ventures include Automarcas De Occidente, Disa Import & Export, ND Import & Export Corp, LLC, and the Air Alas De America.
Mr. Salim holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Rafael Urdaneta University in Venezuela and a master’s in international finance from the same university. He leverages his educational background, zeal for personal and business transformation, and finance and operational management experience to ensure his companies build and maintain a robust international presence.
In his free time, Mr. Salim enjoys music, golf, tennis, and mountain biking. He often attributes his success and passion to his love of cars and aviation.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day begins early with prayer, gratitude, and reflection. I believe the best decisions come from a peaceful mind and a clear sense of purpose. Before reviewing emails, attending meetings, or analyzing business metrics, I follow a lesson passed down by my father, Amin Salim: Every day should begin by thanking God. For that reason, I dedicate time to strengthening my spiritual foundation and defining the most important priorities of the day.
Today, I lead businesses across diverse industries, including aviation, international trade, and real estate development. As Founder and CEO of Air Alas de América, Founder of ND Import & Export Corp, and CEO of Salim Group Investment, my schedule combines strategy, innovation, operational oversight, and the pursuit of new opportunities.
I have learned that productivity is not about doing more things; it is about focusing on the things that create the greatest impact. Time is our most valuable resource, and managing it intentionally is a way of honoring both our dreams and our responsibilities.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Every great company begins with a vision, but it becomes reality through discipline.
When I identify an opportunity, I first evaluate whether it truly creates value for people. Then I build a clear plan, establish measurable goals, and surround myself with talented individuals who share the same vision.
That is how Air Alas de América, ND Import & Export Corp, and Salim Group Investment were created. In each case, the process was the same: Identify a need, design a solution, and work persistently until the idea becomes reality.
Ideas inspire, but execution transforms.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The convergence of artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics.
We are living through a historic transformation that will enable businesses to become more efficient, accurate, and competitive. What excites me most, however, is how these tools can amplify human talent.
Technology alone does not change the world; people do. The future will belong to those who successfully balance technological innovation with strong human values.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
The convergence of artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics.
We are living through a historic transformation that will enable businesses to become more efficient, accurate, and competitive. What excites me most, however, is how these tools can amplify human talent.
Technology alone does not change the world; people do. The future will belong to those who successfully balance technological innovation with strong human values.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell him to be patient, persistent, and consistent, and to trust the process more.
When we are young, we often believe success should come quickly. Life teaches us that the things truly worth having require time, sacrifice, and maturity.
I would also tell him to trust God more, not to fear mistakes, and to understand that many obstacles are simply preparation for greater challenges ahead.
Difficulties do not come to stop us; they come to strengthen us.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe adversity is a blessing in disguise.
Most people try to avoid problems, but the most difficult moments of my life have also been the most transformative. Adversity develops character, humility, resilience, wisdom, and gratitude for the journey we go through.
Comfort may create temporary peace, but difficulty is what truly builds leaders.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Invest in personal growth.
Reading, learning, listening to mentors, traveling, and exposing yourself to new experiences expands your perspective and allows you to evolve continuously.
The most valuable asset a person can develop is not a company or financial wealth. It is the ability to think better, learn faster, and adapt to change.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I pause, pray, and regain perspective.
When we face too many responsibilities, it is easy to lose clarity. In those moments, I reconnect with my purpose and focus only on what I can control.
I have learned that peace does not come when problems disappear; it comes when we develop the ability to face them with faith and balance.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Building trust before pursuing profits.
Over more than three decades in business, I have learned that the strongest and most sustainable businesses are built on credibility, reputation, and honoring one’s word. To me, keeping your word is one of the highest expressions of personal integrity.
I have worked in industries as diverse as aviation, international trade, and real estate development, and in every sector I have discovered the same truth: People do business with those they trust.
Profits may open doors, but trust keeps them open.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One of the greatest lessons of my career was realizing that not every opportunity should be pursued.
At certain stages, I made decisions driven by the speed of growth when I should have exercised greater patience. Over time, I learned that growth does not always mean progress.
I overcame those challenges by becoming more analytical, listening more carefully, and prioritizing sustainability over immediate results.
Today, I understand that failure is not the opposite of success; very often, it is the path that leads us to it.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
An integrated services platform for independent senior citizens.
The global population is aging rapidly, and millions of people will require support with transportation, healthcare coordination, shopping, technology assistance, and companionship.
A company that combines these services through a user-friendly application and a highly trained human support network could create tremendous social impact while also becoming a significant business opportunity.
The best businesses solve real problems in a human and efficient way.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I regularly use ChatGPT, Manus, and Claude.
I use them to organize ideas, analyze scenarios, develop strategies, draft communications, and accelerate critical thinking processes.
I believe artificial intelligence is an extraordinary tool for enhancing creativity and improving decision-making when used with purpose and good judgment. However, what remains most important is your attitude, the knowledge you acquire through education, and the experience you gain throughout life.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Books and educational programs focused on leadership and personal development.
Knowledge is one of the few assets that appreciates over time. A single idea can create meaningful change in a business or in a person’s life.
Investing in education always generates dividends that no crisis can take away.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One of the books that has influenced me the most is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.
Its message goes far beyond business because it focuses on universal principles such as responsibility, integrity, leadership, and personal growth.
I also follow authors and speakers such as Tony Robbins, Brendon Burchard, and Deepak Chopra, whose teachings combine success, well-being, and human development.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I particularly enjoy documentaries and productions based on true stories of leadership, innovation, and perseverance.
I am fascinated by observing how people navigate uncertainty, make difficult decisions, and transform challenges into opportunities.
Great stories remind us that human potential is far greater than we often believe.
Key learnings
- Sustainable success is built through discipline, vision, and consistency—not through immediate results.
- Trust, credibility, and keeping your word are irreplaceable competitive advantages.
- Adversity can become the greatest source of personal and professional growth.
- Technological innovation creates the most value when combined with leadership, purpose, and human values.
- The true legacy of an entrepreneur is not measured solely by the companies they build, but by the opportunities they create, the impact they generate, and the lives they help transform.