Robinson Aquino: The Money Game Entrepreneurs Never Learn

Why do so many small businesses fail, even when they have great products and loyal customers?In this episode of Entrepreneur | Authorities, Joe Pardavila sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and JBS CEO Robinson Aquino to break down the hidden financial systems that separate struggling businesses from scalable ones.Drawing from his new book, The Small Business Money Game, Robinson shares lessons from growing up in his family’s bodegas, advising entrepreneurs as a financial planner, and helping thousands of business owners make smarter decisions around cash flow, hiring, margins, and growth.The conversation explores why most entrepreneurs misunderstand money, how immigrant families shape risk tolerance and work ethic, why Monopoly might be one of the best business lessons ever created, and how financial literacy changes the trajectory of a business.Joe and Robinson also dive into entrepreneurship, wealth creation, AI, capitalism, hospitality business failures, leadership, and the emotional relationship people have with money.If you’re building a business, thinking about entrepreneurship, or trying to understand how wealth actually works, this episode will change the way you think about money.What You’ll Learn:Why most small businesses failThe financial systems entrepreneurs ignoreWhat Monopoly teaches about wealthHow cash flow impacts business survivalThe difference between entrepreneurs and operatorsWhy risk tolerance matters in entrepreneurshipHow money flows through the economyWhy assets create wealthThe biggest mistakes business owners makeHow immigrant families shape financial thinkingWhat AI could mean for the future of capitalismChapters / Timestamps00:00 Intro00:26 Robinson Aquino and The Small Business Money Game01:00 The Monopoly lesson that changed Robinson’s life03:41 Why Monopoly teaches business fundamentals04:28 Why business owners need financial oversight05:33 Growing up with immigrant money fears07:16 How entrepreneurs really build wealth09:09 Telling his family he wanted to become an entrepreneur11:23 The truth about “following your passion”12:17 The chicken drumstick story and learning margins15:04 Are entrepreneurs born or made?18:00 Risk tolerance and entrepreneurship20:53 What Robinson learned as a financial advisor21:28 How money actually flows through the economy24:55 The Costco moment that changed his thinking on wealth27:28 Capitalism, wealth gaps, and the future of money30:00 AI, automation, and the future of capitalism32:30 Building JBS and helping small businesses scale35:15 Why businesses fail financially39:09 Why restaurants fail so often42:16 Family legacy and entrepreneurial resilience44:06 Final thoughts