We are delighted to welcome Eddy Arriola, a rock-star entrepreneur from South Florida, as today’s guest.
Eddy has tons of experience building and scaling businesses, including founding Apollo Bank, and he recently published a book on relationships and the art of relational leadership.
Stay tuned for Eddy’s expert insights on how relationships shape leadership, business growth, and long-term success.
Eddy’s Journey
Born and raised in Miami, Eddy is the son of Cuban immigrants who arrived in the USA after the 1960 revolution. Entrepreneurship is part of Eddy’s DNA, shaped by his father, grandfathers, and community. He never even considered working for anyone else, and he has never experienced a traditional job interview. In 1997, Eddy co-founded Inktel with his brothers. He started Apollo Bank in 2008 by relying on his relationships and persistence, and learning as he went.
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Eddy explains that your mindset is built by what you see early in life. Eddy grew up surrounded by entrepreneurs, so starting a business felt natural. He believes that you improve the world by creating jobs, building a good work environment, and setting an example as a leader.
Starting Apollo Bank
Eddy launched Apollo Bank without fully understanding the challenges, which helped him move forward. He started just before the 2008 financial crisis, thinking it would be a short recession. His approach was simple- he just kept on going, and through his persistence, he built credibility and trust with investors, regulators, and clients.
Relationships
Your biggest wins and biggest problems always come down to relationships. Leadership is about getting things done through other people- by managing relationships within your team, building relationships with customers, and within the industry, your community, and your personal life.
Building Teams
Teams are built through trust and relationships. Eddy reached out to people who believed in him and shared his vision. He focused on finding the right mix, including an integrator to complement his visionary role.
Customer Selection
Be very specific about the customers you select. By focusing on the right customers, you can deliver an A-plus product. If you try to serve everyone, your quality will drop. Eddy focused on entrepreneurs and built strong relationships through one-on-one conversations.
Communities
Actively seek out the right communities. Joining EO was one of the most important decisions Eddy ever made. For over 24 years, he has been connecting daily with other members, building meaningful relationships that have shaped his growth- both as a leader and an individual.
Writing a Book
After selling Apollo Bank, writing a book became Eddy’s goal. He wrote his book for his younger self (as a CEO of a growing business). The lessons he shares can be broadly applied, especially in a time when people tend to underestimate the value of relationships.
Relational Leadership Framework
Many leaders tend to focus solely on their customers or teams. However, long-term success comes from understanding and working across all your relationship areas, including your relationship with yourself.
The CARPE Framework
By structuring your approach to relationships using Eddy’s CARPE framework- Connect, Align, Respond, Prioritize, and Evaluate- you will be able to manage your relationships intentionally instead of reacting to situations.
Respond vs React
Do not react immediately. Instead, take a moment to think about the right response. Quick reactions can create long-term problems, whereas a thoughtful response will help you scale.
Evaluating Relationships
Step back often and assess your relationships. Loyalty matters, but it can slow you down if it is misplaced. So, make sure your relationships support your goals.
Empathy and Understanding
Understanding what is going on with the other person helps you respond better. Empathy allows you to align with the other person’s perspective and move forward more effectively.
Misaligned Relationships
You need to recognize when a relationship cannot be fixed. Some people have patterns or issues that will never change. You may even need to let someone who performs well go to protect the organization.
Allocating Time Effectively
Spend your time where it has the most impact. Holding on to low-value relationships out of habit or loyalty can slow your growth. Focus your time on relationships that can move your business forward.
Building Relationships
The best time to build relationships is when you do not need them. Waiting until a critical moment leads to poor decisions. Build connections early so they are in place when you need them.
BIO: Eddy Arriola
EDDY ARRIOLA is a seasoned entrepreneur, CEO, board member, and advisor to CEOs, known for building successful companies and guiding leaders through moments of growth, transition, and transformation. He is the founder and former chairman and CEO of Apollo Bank, which launched during the great financial crisis and grew into one of the most respected banks in the Southeast, ultimately completing a successful exit to a publicly traded company. Under his leadership, Apollo Bank earned national recognition for innovation, corporate culture, and service to the community.
In addition to founding multiple companies and advising high- growth startups, Eddy has served on the boards of private and public companies across sectors—from fintech and healthcare to banking and real estate. His experience includes board service with gMed (acquired by Modernizing Medicine), TotalBank (acquired by Banco Popular de España), and two SEC-registered institutions: Seacoast Bank (NASDAQ: SBCF) and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, as well as Linkvest and Plug&Lend. He also served two terms on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (Miami Branch) and was appointed by President Barack Obama—confirmed by the US Senate—as chairman of the Inter-American Foundation, a position he continued to hold under the Trump and Biden administrations.
Eddy is a nationally recognized speaker, author, a longtime member of YPO and EO, and a trusted advisor to private equity firms and executive teams. His leadership reflects a lifelong commitment to learning, integrity, and helping others grow.
Today, he is an active advisor to companies and CEOs who want to become better leaders, scale their businesses, and lead with greater clarity and confidence. Through his firm, Arriola & Co., he advises CEOs and executive teams on leadership, strategy, and culture. He also serves as a trusted coach, helping leaders navigate complex decisions and high-stakes relationships.
He was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and is a graduate of Boston College and Christopher Columbus High School.
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