The Beginning of a New Tradition
Official Recap • June 27, 2026 • Miami, Florida
TL;DR
Fourteen gentlemen gathered for the inaugural Gentlemen’s Journal Mini Retreat on June 27, 2026, in Miami, Florida, proving that one intentional day of brotherhood can have a lasting impact. The day combined meaningful presentations, authentic conversations, poolside fellowship, dominoes, cigars, pizza, and an unforgettable Good of the Order that concluded with every brother standing together in the pool, sharing openly from the heart. More than simply another event on the calendar, the Mini Retreat became the beginning of a new Gentlemen’s Journal tradition—one designed to keep the brotherhood connected, accountable, and growing between the organization’s major annual gatherings.
The Beginning of Something New
Every tradition has a beginning.
Some begin with years of planning. Others begin with a simple conversation. This one began with a vision.
Following the Gentlemen’s Journal Annual Retreat, I found myself reflecting on what makes this organization so unique. The Annual Retreat, the Golf Tournament, the Gala, and our monthly chapter meetings all serve an important purpose. They challenge us, encourage us, and remind us why brotherhood matters.
But there was a gap.
Months could pass between our larger events, and while the friendships remained, the momentum naturally slowed. I began asking myself a simple question:
“What if we could create something that kept the fire burning between our major gatherings?”
The answer became what we now know as the Gentlemen’s Journal Mini Retreat.
It was never intended to replace the Annual Retreat. Nothing could.
Instead, it was designed to provide approximately twenty-five percent of the experience—a one-day investment in brotherhood that would strengthen relationships, encourage accountability, and prepare us for everything still to come during the year.
Positioned in June, halfway between the Annual Retreat and the Gala, the Mini Retreat became the bridge connecting our biggest events while reminding us that brotherhood isn’t something we experience a few weekends a year. It’s something we choose to live every day.
The Founding Class
Fourteen brothers answered the call to become part of Gentlemen’s Journal history.
The Founding Class of the inaugural Mini Retreat consisted of:
- Wilson Alvarez
- Miguel Garcia
- Alex Santos
- Phil Stevenson
- Victor Gonzalez
- Shawn Judy
- Felix Lugo
- Angel González
- Alex Rodriguez
- Kevin Kerwin
- Ryan Leonard
- Lee Morrison
- William Colas
- Carlos de la Rosa
Years from now, these names will represent more than an attendance list. They will represent the men who helped establish what we hope becomes a lasting Gentlemen’s Journal tradition.
Breakfast Before Brotherhood
The day began at Killian Cafe & Grill in southwest Miami.
Before the official agenda, before the presentations, and before the structured conversations, there was breakfast.
It may seem like a small detail, but sharing a meal has always been one of the simplest ways to build relationships. Over coffee, eggs, and conversation, the atmosphere remained casual. Some discussed business. Others caught up on family. A few laughed about old stories while others met brothers they had only spoken to briefly at previous events.
By the time breakfast concluded, the retreat had already begun.
The brothers caravanned together to the home of Victor Gonzalez, where the official program would unfold.
A Welcome Home
Victor Gonzalez graciously opened his home to the brotherhood. Upon arriving, everyone settled into the backyard before the day officially began. We started by thanking Victor and his family for their generosity. Opening one’s home is an act of trust, and everyone understood the responsibility that came with being a guest. The purpose of the Mini Retreat was then shared.
This wasn’t a networking event. It wasn’t a sales meeting. It wasn’t another business seminar. It was a brotherhood event.
We then read aloud the three Gentlemen’s Journal Core Tenets:
- Be Your Brother’s Keeper
- Honor Before Profit
- Family First
The opening concluded with the timeless words of Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
Those words became the theme for the remainder of the day.
Learning from One Another
The morning presentations reflected exactly what Gentlemen’s Journal has always stood for—brothers sharing knowledge to help other brothers succeed. 1st up was:
Miguel Garcia – the topic was Perseverance
Miguel’s presentation immediately engaged the room.
Rather than beginning with his own story, he presented three challenging real-life scenarios and asked each table a simple question:
“What would you do?”
The room quickly came alive with discussion as groups analyzed the situations and debated different approaches.
Only after everyone had shared their perspectives did Miguel reveal the truth.
Each of those situations came directly from his own life.
His story of adversity, perseverance, and resilience reminded everyone that life’s greatest lessons are often learned through our greatest challenges. Rather than simply speaking about perseverance, Miguel allowed every brother to experience the decision-making process before revealing the outcome.
His presentation was authentic, engaging, and unforgettable.
Alex Santos – Your AI Board of Directors
Alex Santos brought a completely different perspective.
Drawing inspiration from Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich, Alex introduced the concept of creating a personal AI Board of Directors.
Instead of asking AI random questions, he challenged everyone to build three distinct advisors:
- A CFO to analyze every financial decision.
- A Legal Counsel to protect relationships and reduce risk.
- The Future You—the wiser version of yourself twenty years from now.
Every important decision could now be examined from three different perspectives before action was taken.
As Alex demonstrated the concept, several brothers were already scanning the QR code he provided, eager to begin creating their own boards.
His message was simple:
AI isn’t replacing wisdom.
It’s helping us organize it.
Phil Stevenson – Making Every Dollar Work Harder
Phil Stevenson concluded the educational portion with a presentation that everyone could immediately apply.
His topic focused on maximizing credit card points and travel rewards through everyday spending.
Rather than encouraging people to spend more, Phil challenged everyone to become better stewards of the money they already spend.
Many left thinking the same thing:
“I wish I had learned this years ago.”
Brotherhood Beyond Business
When the presentations concluded, the schedule intentionally became less structured.
Pizza from All-Star Pizza arrived.
The pool became the gathering place.
Domino tables quickly filled.
Cigars were lit.
Conversations flowed naturally.
Business cards remained in pockets.
Relationships came first.
This was perhaps the greatest reminder of the Gentlemen’s Journal philosophy of Honor Before Profit.
Real friendships are rarely built across conference tables.
They’re built during unplanned conversations, shared laughter, and moments that simply can’t be scheduled.
Victor & Stephanie Gonzalez
Victor Gonzalez was a spectacular host in every sense of the word, opening his home and his pool without hesitation.
But the day would not have been what it was without Stephanie.
She cared for the brotherhood with a warmth and grace that no one expected and everyone appreciated.
As the saying goes, behind every great man stands an even greater woman.
Victor and Stephanie embodied that truth throughout the day, and every brother left grateful for their generosity and hospitality.
The Good of the Order
As the afternoon slowly turned toward evening, something remarkable happened.
The dominoes stopped.
The conversations quieted.
Without anyone saying much, everyone instinctively understood that the most meaningful part of the day had arrived.
The brothers gathered together—not in chairs this time—but standing together in Victor’s swimming pool beneath the Miami sun.
What began as a practical way to stay cool quickly became something much more meaningful.
One by one, each man spoke.
Some shared victories.
Others spoke about challenges.
Several expressed gratitude.
Others asked for encouragement, support, or prayer.
There were stories of family, business, faith, and personal growth.
Nobody rushed.
Nobody interrupted.
Everyone listened.
The Good of the Order has always been the emotional centerpiece of Gentlemen’s Journal, and experiencing it together in the water created a moment unlike anything anyone expected.
Without planning it, a new tradition may very well have been born.
Why We Ended Early
One decision intentionally differed from our Annual Retreat.
Rather than ending with a formal dinner, the Mini Retreat concluded promptly at 7:00 PM.
The reason was simple.
One of our core tenets is Family First.
The retreat should strengthen our families—not keep us away from them.
Ending at seven allowed every brother to return home and spend the evening with those who matter most.
It was the right decision.
Looking Ahead
The inaugural Gentlemen’s Journal Mini Retreat proved something important.
Brotherhood doesn’t require an entire weekend.
Sometimes all it takes is one intentional day.
The goal was never perfection.
The goal was connection.
Mission accomplished.
If you were unable to attend this first Mini Retreat, we hope this recap offers a glimpse into what took place. More importantly, we hope it inspires you to join us next time. The presentations were excellent, the fellowship was genuine, and the memories will last for years—but the true value of the day was simply being together.
This was not the end of an event.
It was the beginning of a tradition.
As we continue moving toward future gatherings—including our Annual Retreat at the Casa Monica Resort in St. Augustine—may we continue living the principles that define Gentlemen’s Journal every single day:
Be Your Brother’s Keeper.
Honor Before Profit.
Family First.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
— Proverbs 27:17
