Javier Burillo Azcárraga built his career by doing the work most people avoid. He started at the Ritz in Acapulco washing dishes. It was not glamorous, but it gave him a clear view of how a business actually runs. Over time, he moved through operations and became General Manager. That early experience shaped how he approaches leadership.
He went on to open restaurants in Mexico, including Casa de Campo in Cuernavaca and Mexico City. These became known for their quality and consistency. He focused on execution, not just ideas.
In 1997, he founded Las Ventanas al Paraíso. He built it from the ground up and focused on every detail. The resort was named the #1 boutique hotel in the world by Condé Nast Traveler for three consecutive years. He later sold the property in 2004.
After that, he became a partner in Camper & Nicholsons, a global yacht company. He held that role for several years before stepping away from business operations.
Today, he is the Founder and Chairman of Grant’s Crusade. The nonprofit supports neurodiverse children and their families. It was created in honor of his son.
His work has stayed consistent across industries. Keep things simple. Focus on execution. Stay close to the details. Build something that works, not just something that looks good.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day starts early. I like to walk or do some form of exercise first. It clears my head. Then I review what actually needs to get done. Not everything, just the important things. I try to stay close to the work. I speak with people directly. I avoid long meetings. Productivity comes from doing fewer things well
How do you bring ideas to life?
I test them quickly. I don’t spend too much time planning. At Las Ventanas, we would try things in small ways before rolling them out. If something worked, we repeated it. If it didn’t, we stopped. Ideas don’t matter if they don’t hold up in real situations.
What’s one trend that excites you?
More focus on practical support for families, especially in the neurodiverse space. People are starting to look at what actually helps instead of just talking about awareness.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Finishing what I start. It sounds simple, but most people move on too quickly. I stay with something until it works.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be more patient. Results take time. Early in my career, I wanted things to move faster. But consistency matters more than speed.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Most systems are too complicated. People think complexity makes things better. It usually makes them worse.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Pay attention to small details. That’s where problems start.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I simplify. I remove everything that is not essential. Then I focus on one thing at a time.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Starting at the bottom helped me understand the full operation. When you know how things work, you make better decisions. It also helps you earn respect from your team.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I opened a restaurant early on that didn’t perform as expected. We focused too much on the concept and not enough on daily operations. I learned that ideas are not enough. Execution is everything.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A simple service business that focuses only on solving one problem very well. Most people try to do too much. Focus wins.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I keep things simple. I use basic calendar and notes tools. The value is not in the software. It’s in how you use it.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I tend to revisit classic business books. They focus on fundamentals. Those don’t change.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I like documentaries about people building things from nothing. They show the real process, not just the result.
Key learnings
- Strong execution at the operational level is more important than having a great idea.
- Simplicity in systems and processes leads to better long-term results.
- Starting at the bottom builds a deeper understanding of how businesses actually work.
- Consistency over time creates trust and sustainable success.
- Real impact comes from focusing on what works, not what looks impressive.