When entrepreneurs discuss their greatest challenges, they often mention market competition, funding hurdles, or scaling operations. For Alejandro Betancourt, however, one of his most significant accomplishments happens far from boardrooms or investor meetings – it’s the daily art of being present for his twin children while steering multiple business ventures.

Betancourt occupies an interesting position in today’s business landscape. As the founder and president of ALMA Capital, a private equity firm focused on technology and renewable energy, he manages substantial professional responsibilities. Yet when restaurant hosts ask “Table for…?” his answer of “Three—me and my twins” reveals another central aspect of his identity that shapes every dimension of his professional life.

“You know that moment in restaurants when the host asks, ‘Table for…?’ and pauses, expecting you to fill in a number? I’ve gotten used to saying ‘Three’ — me and my twins — and watching the slight recalibration happen behind their eyes,” Betancourt writes in his essay “Table for Three: Finding Joy in the Space Between.” This simple interaction captures the unique perspective he brings to both parenting and entrepreneurship.

His approach to time management reflects someone who understands that efficiency alone isn’t the answer. Rather than simply maximizing productive hours, Betancourt focuses on meaningful presence. In his writings, he frequently mentions the “chaotic beauty of raising twins” alongside his business reflections, suggesting that he views these roles not as competing priorities but as complementary facets of a whole life.

Unlike conventional wisdom that often positions work and family as opposing forces in constant tension, Betancourt’s perspective suggests integration rather than balance. His entrepreneurial mindset appears to inform his parenting – recognizing opportunities for growth through challenges – while his parenting experiences enhance his business thinking with greater patience and a longer-term outlook.

This integrated approach extends to how he structures his days. The man who founded luxury brands like WineCarer and FitnessEquipment also created “Little Foodies,” a cookbook born from his attempts to develop nutritious meals his own children would actually eat. His creative projects frequently bridge his professional expertise with his parenting experiences.

Betancourt doesn’t shy away from discussing how raising children as a single father has influenced his leadership approach. In several essays, he references how listening skills developed through parenting have proven valuable in business negotiations, and how explaining complex concepts to children has improved his ability to communicate clearly with stakeholders.

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What might surprise some readers is Betancourt’s comfort with challenging conventional expectations. In “Stop Apologizing and Start Living Boldly,” he mentions becoming “a single dad in a very conservative country” where many questioned his choice. His response is telling: “my sons are the best thing that ever happened to me.” This willingness to follow his own path rather than conventional wisdom characterizes both his personal and professional decisions.

For those seeking practical takeaways from Betancourt’s approach, several themes emerge across his writings: the importance of fully engaging with whatever deserves your attention at the moment; the value of finding personal meaning in daily routines; and the recognition that family and work can mutually strengthen rather than deplete each other.

Ultimately, Betancourt’s example suggests that success doesn’t require compartmentalizing different aspects of life but rather finding connections between them. His twins aren’t separate from his entrepreneurial identity—they’re central to it, informing how he approaches problems, manages relationships, and defines what matters most.

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