Hey! So nice to speak with you! Can you tell our readers a little bit more about yourself? Where are you originally from and where do you live now?
My name is Araceli Villanueva. I was born in Mexico City and moved to the United States at the age of 18, beginning my journey in San Francisco, California. From there, my path led me to Chicago, Illinois, where I continued to grow both personally and professionally. Today, I am based in Miami, Florida—a city that reflects my entrepreneurial spirit and global outlook. Each move has shaped my perspective, resilience, and approach to business, allowing me to blend international insight with deep experience in the U.S. mark
Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?
What I love most about living in Miami is that it perfectly balances a global lifestyle with a true sense of home. I’ve lived here since 2000 and have traveled to more than 50 countries and countless cities, yet Miami remains the place I always want to come back to. It’s international, dynamic, and full of opportunity, but it also feels personal and familiar. Miami isn’t just where I live—it’s where I belong.
Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?
As a female founder and immigrant, my journey is deeply rooted in resilience, early ambition, and firsthand experience.
I was born in Mexico City and moved to the United States at 18 with big dreams and a strong determination to build a future through hard work and knowledge. Just two years later, at the age of 20, I bought my first home—an experience that changed my life and sparked a passion for real estate and investing.
Over the years, I didn’t just advise clients on real estate—I became an investor myself, owning and managing more than 30 properties. This hands-on experience gave me a deep, practical understanding of risk, leverage, cash flow, and long-term strategy, far beyond theory or textbooks.
I began my professional career in real estate and mortgage finance, helping clients access opportunities that once felt out of reach to me. But I quickly realized that many people weren’t missing opportunity—they were missing structure, education, and a trusted advisor who could see the full picture. That realization led to the creation of Araceli Villanueva, PA, and later AVL Consultants.
Today, my companies help entrepreneurs, investors, and international families protect their assets, minimize taxes, and grow with intention through an integrated, family-office–style approach. Everything we do is informed by real-world experience, not just professional credentials.
As a woman, an immigrant, and a self-made investor, I built these companies to prove that with the right guidance and strategy, financial independence is possible—and sustainable.
If someone wants to start a business, what's advice that will help them?
My biggest advice for anyone starting a business is to master the fundamentals and stay committed for the long term.
I bought my first home at 20 and went on to own more than 30 properties—not because I chased quick wins, but because I focused on learning, structure, and disciplined execution. Success doesn’t come from doing everything at once; it comes from making smart, consistent decisions over time.
Build a strong foundation early—understand your numbers, protect your assets, and surround yourself with the right advisors. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or invest in knowledge. As an entrepreneur, clarity is power.
Most importantly, trust yourself and stay resilient. There will be challenges, especially if you’re building something from scratch or starting in a new country. Persistence, education, and integrity will always compound in your favor.
What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?
One piece of feedback that deeply impacted me came from an AVL Consultants client whose financial future—and family legacy—was completely transformed.
When we first began working together, the client had a net worth of approximately $2 million. They were successful, but much of their wealth was being lost to unnecessary taxes and lacked a long-term structure. Through our work at AVL Consultants, we implemented fully legal tax strategies that allowed the client to preserve capital and redirect it into tax-advantaged investments, instead of seeing that money disappear each year.
By reinvesting those savings strategically and intentionally, the client’s net worth grew to more than $23 million in just three years.
What made the moment unforgettable was what the client shared afterward: “For the first time, I know my family is protected—not just today, but for generations.”
That statement captured the true purpose of our work. It wasn’t just about increasing net worth; it was about creating stability, control, and a legacy that would outlive the client. Helping families shift from short-term thinking to long-term wealth preservation and generational impact is at the heart of what we do at AVL Consultants.
Another piece of feedback I will never forget came from a client right after closing on his home.
He looked at me and said, “You’re not just helping people buy homes—you’re an architect of dreams.” That moment stayed with me because it perfectly captured why I do what I do. Knowing that I played a role in turning someone’s dream into a reality reminded me that my work has real impact on people’s lives.
Where do you see your company in the future?
I see my company growing into a truly global, family-office–style advisory firm serving clients across borders and generations.
As the world becomes more interconnected, entrepreneurs and families need guidance that goes beyond one country, one tax system, or one investment market. The future of AVL Consultants is centered on helping international clients navigate U.S. and global opportunities with clarity—integrating cross-border real estate, tax-efficient structures, and strategic investments.
My vision is to expand our footprint internationally while maintaining a boutique, high-touch approach. We will continue building strong partnerships with legal, tax, and financial experts across multiple jurisdictions, allowing us to support clients wherever they are in the world.
Ultimately, I want AVL Consultants to be known as a trusted global partner—one that helps families not only grow wealth internationally, but preserve it and pass it on intentionally across generations.
What has been one of your biggest struggle building your business and how did you deal with it?
One of the biggest challenges in building my business has been training and developing the right team.
As a female founder, I learned quickly that leadership isn’t just about vision—it’s about patience, consistency, and resilience. Teaching team members to think strategically, uphold high standards, and truly care about clients takes time and intention.
I addressed this by creating clear systems, investing in training, and leading by example. That challenge strengthened me as a leader and helped me build a culture rooted in accountability, excellence, and long-term growth.
Where can our readers follow your work or learn more about your upcoming projects?
Readers can learn more about my work and my companies by visiting www.avlconsultants.com, where we share insights on strategic planning, tax-efficient structures, and family-office–style advisory services.
They can also visit www.aracelivillanuevapa.com to learn more about my real estate and mortgage work, professional background, and entrepreneurial journey.
For my podcast and published book, readers can explore www.creafortunas.com, where I share conversations, tools, and insights focused on mindset, wealth creation, and building lasting financial legacies.
I also share educational content and updates on Instagram, YouTube channel and LinkedIn, where I connect with entrepreneurs, investors, and international audiences.
Contact Info:
Website: https://www.avlconsultants.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/araceli_bella
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AraceliVillanuevaBiz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aracelivillanueva
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/creafortunas
