Luciano de Vries is a serial entrepreneur and business executive who has found success across a wide variety of industries in both the United States and Europe.

Born in the Netherlands, de Vries began work at an early age. By the age of 12, he was spending his spare time working a minimum salary job at the local supermarket. When he wasn’t at school or work, he could be found on the soccer field. When it came to leaving for college, he had a highly developed work ethic that would serve him well throughout the subsequent years.

While earning a degree in tax law at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, he started a side job promoting parties and events. His precocious understanding of business and his naturally social personality was the perfect for the job. After two years of promoting and organizing social mixers for the university’s football and student clubs, he made a career leap by relocating to Spain during summer break.

In Spain, he was quickly hired to do a similar job selling tickets to social gatherings. But this time, instead of earning an hourly wage, he was paid by the commission. The different pay structure was a revelation for de Vries, who found extra inspiration to work harder than ever.

His efforts caught the attention of his boss, who tasked de Vries with reading business books and reporting back on them. For the next several years, de Vries complemented his university education with his unofficial side studies in business. All the while, his work continued to improve. It wasn’t long before he started a subsidiary business in his boss’ organization. When he co-founded his first company was when his passion for entrepreneurship began to blossom.

Almost overnight, his business took off. In a short time, it expanded from five people to more than 200. As de Vries’ business grew, he discovered that he possessed a natural gift for identifying inefficiencies in the market. Whenever he saw an industry in need, he formed a company to fill the gap.

In the span of two decades, he founded companies in real estate, transportation, event planning and promotion, and more all across Europe and the United States. Today, he still serves as Director of Bayswater Capital and the CEO of Gaet Holding.

When he’s not at work, de Vries focuses his efforts on philanthropy. He’s done extensive work for the people of Ukraine—in addition to spearheading relief efforts, his company in Poland is composed of 50 percent Ukrainian —as well as animal welfare, a cause very close to his heart. Most recently, he lent his tax expertise and business acumen to a local animal shelter. He also fosters two dogs, taking in seven over the last few months.

Currently, de Vries lives in Portugal with his girlfriend and canine companions. He has recently opened up new ventures in the United States, and has plans to expand his businesses into South America, Africa, and Australia.