Wealth On Main Street 279: Break the Cycle: Build Wealth on Your Own Terms with Joseph Romualdi
What happens when your lifelong career ends, but your desire to grow doesn’t? That’s the story of Joseph Romualdi, CEO of Casa Pulita Corp and a former police officer who served for 35 years.
On a recent episode of Wealth On Main Street, hosted by Jayson Lowe and Richard Canfield, Joseph shared how he transitioned from law enforcement to entrepreneurship and the powerful mindset shift that made it possible.
Joseph Romualdi didn’t know anything about cleaning when he started his business. After retiring, he thought he was done working. But Bob Proctor’s voice rang in his ears: “If you’re not growing, you’re dying. You just haven’t laid down yet.”
Rather than settle for comfort, Joseph leaned into discomfort. He drove for Uber. He became an Airbnb superhost. He realized his region lacked reliable cleaners, so he started his own company. In just two years, the business took off.
In his words, “You don't fail until you quit. You're going to hit potholes, but they're not failures unless you stop moving.”
Joseph Romualdi's Mentorship: Lessons from Bob Proctor
When Joseph Romualdi first met Bob, he didn’t even know who he was. “I thought he was the janitor,” Joseph laughed. But within minutes, he was captivated.
Bob introduced him to concepts like the law of attraction, the power of mindset, and the importance of setting big goals.
“Bob told me people don’t think,” Joseph recalled. “Mental activity isn't thinking. Most people just run on autopilot.” That insight humbled Joseph and cracked open the door to a world of personal growth.
Bob encouraged Joseph to leave policing behind and pursue something bigger. Joseph initially resisted. He had a pension and decades of identity tied to law enforcement.
But Bob reminded him: “You’re eligible now. Don’t wait.” Joseph stayed five more years but never forgot that advice.
Eventually, he retired and jumped into the unknown. Bob had started his own career with a cleaning business. Joseph found that oddly symbolic.
In his own business journey, Joseph faced broken systems, staff turnover, and even branding mistakes. But every challenge was met with Bob’s voice:
“Persistence. Don’t change the goal. Change the plan.”
He now runs a growing company, creates his own eco-friendly products, and even launched a coffee and hot chocolate line—all because he kept thinking bigger.
Think Differently: Joseph Romualdi's Police Work and Personal Growth
Joseph spent 35 years in law enforcement, and during that time, his identity became deeply rooted in the uniform. “Police officers are one-dimensional,” he said. “You get used to being the one with the answers. It’s hard not to think you know it all.”
That belief shaped not just how he handled emergencies, but how he saw himself and others. In the role of protector and authority, humility and curiosity often took a backseat.
It wasn’t until he met Bob that his mindset began to shift. Bob told him bluntly, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” That single idea cracked Joseph’s self-assured worldview wide open.
Joseph began applying personal development lessons to everyday life. Even during his Uber-driving days, he found opportunities to grow. “Every person I picked up, I made it a point to learn something from them,” he said.
This shift turned ordinary encounters into valuable life lessons.
In his business, Joseph applies the same philosophy. He hires people based on energy, attitude, and intuition, not just qualifications on a resume. “I look for what’s not there,” he said.
That approach fosters a people-first culture where growth and service take priority over checklists.
Bob also taught him to leave people with the “impression of increase.” For Joseph, that means every conversation, every interaction, and every service provided should uplift others.
It’s Never Too Late to Reinvent Yourself – Joseph Romualdi
Many people assume reinvention is only for the young or the daring.
Joseph disagrees. In his words, “It’s too late only when you’re lying in your grave.” That mindset has helped him defy conventional expectations and embrace new chapters with enthusiasm.
“You don’t fail until you quit,” he said.
For Joseph, failure is refusing to get back up. Even when things go sideways, he sees them as learning opportunities. “They’re not failures,” he explained. “They’re potholes. You just have to keep moving.”
His advice to those feeling stuck is direct and practical:
“Figure out where you are and where you want to go. Be specific. Then let your mind wander. If failure weren’t a possibility, what would you do? That’s your goal.”
Joseph acknowledges that mindset shifts take effort. Even now, he occasionally catches himself slipping into doubt. But he doesn’t stay there. “You have to reject that thought immediately,” he emphasized.
Staying vigilant about self-talk has become a daily discipline.
This forward-focused thinking shapes every aspect of Joseph’s life. He encourages others to stop measuring their potential by past limitations.
“Don’t look at where you are or where you’ve been,” he said. “Look at where you want to go. Keep your eyes on the road.”
Joseph Romualdi: Complacency Can Kill More Than Careers
One of the most important lessons Joseph brought with him from his 35-year policing career is a warning he repeated often: “Complacency can get you killed.”
In law enforcement, that lesson is painfully real. You can’t afford to let your guard down, even during a routine call. But Joseph quickly learned that the same principle applies outside of policing, too.
“Complacency may not kill you in business, but it can sting—and it can definitely sink your company,” Joseph said.
The danger lies in assumptions. Just like you can’t assume every traffic stop will go smoothly, you can’t assume every client interaction or internal decision will unfold without a hitch.
Joseph treats every email, call, and hire with intentionality.
“In policing, you look for cover on the way to the car. In business, you look for a safety net. You need a plan B, maybe even a plan C.”
This philosophy encourages presence and preparedness. Rather than rushing into decisions, Joseph considers potential outcomes and safeguards. He trains his team to think proactively and always be ready for the unexpected.
For entrepreneurs, Joseph’s lesson is invaluable: don’t assume everything will work out because it usually won’t—unless you make it. Don’t coast on past wins. Don’t let routine lull you into laziness. Instead, stay alert, stay humble, and stay sharp.
Whether you're responding to a difficult client, launching a new product, or scaling your team, Joseph's wisdom applies: never underestimate the power of being mentally ready.
People Before Profit: Building Culture Intentionally
In a world that often values rapid growth over sustainable success, Joseph chooses a different route. He prioritizes people over profit. And that starts with how he builds his company culture.
“I don’t hire by resume,” Joseph said. “I hire based on energy and attitude.”
It’s a decision that makes the hiring process longer and sometimes more difficult, but it pays off. Instead of rushing to fill the position, he looks deeper. Gaps in employment, personality cues during interviews, and that gut feeling guide his decisions.
At one point, Joseph reduced his team from 13 employees to just 4. It was aligning with the right people. “I’d rather slow down our growth than hire the wrong person,” he explained.
It stems from Joseph’s days in law enforcement. “The people I arrested were customers too,” he said. “You had to treat them with respect.” That same sense of service and accountability is embedded in his company values today.
Joseph also understands the high cost of distraction. That’s why he’s bringing on a manager so he can delegate operational details and focus on what drives him:
writing books, growing his brand, and mentoring others.
Ultimately, Joseph believes that culture is built one person at a time. “It’s about alignment,” he said. When you get that right, profits follow naturally.
Never Rush to a Bar Fight: How to Respond, Not React
Joseph Romualdi often reminded young officers to “never rush to a bar fight.” At first glance, it may sound like advice strictly for policing, but it’s just as powerful for entrepreneurs and leaders navigating tense situations.
In business and in life, it’s better to pause, assess, and respond intentionally.
“Take a deep breath. Calm down. Think before you respond,” he advised. Joseph learned this firsthand in both careers.
This mindset has served him well across every aspect of his business. When dealing with difficult customers, unexpected delays, or team issues, Joseph chooses patience and presence over panic.
His philosophy also extends to communication. That email you’re ready to fire off in frustration? Don’t send it just yet. Sleep on it, rewrite it, and send it with clarity the next day.
That pause can protect your brand, your relationships, and your credibility.
Whether you’re in law enforcement or leading a business, the message is the same: Don’t rush into chaos. Step back, breathe, and respond with clarity. In doing so, you create outcomes that are not only better, they’re lasting.
Become a Lifelong Learner: Lead with Curiosity
As Joseph Romualdi reflected on everything he learned from Bob Proctor, he made one thing clear: success isn’t reserved for the gifted or the lucky.
“I’m not special. Bob wasn’t special. But once you change your mindset, you can do anything.”
Lifelong learning became Joseph’s fuel for growth. Whether it was embracing personal development during his police career or studying mindset principles from Bob, Joseph saw value in every encounter.
His success came from curiosity, not certainty.
He often says he wishes mindset training were part of the education system. “Instead, we shut down imagination. We tell kids to stop daydreaming. That’s where it all begins,” he said.
Joseph believes imagination is the seed of every breakthrough. That’s why he encourages others to dream big, to visualize what they want, and to believe in it wholeheartedly.
To those feeling lost or stuck, Joseph offers practical encouragement: “Keep your eyes on the road, not the rearview mirror. Don’t obsess over where you are. Focus on where you want to go.”
Conclusion
Joseph Romualdi's transition from a structured life in policing to the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship was driven by the decision to stay curious and keep growing.
What makes Joseph’s story remarkable isn’t just what he’s accomplished—it’s how he did it: with persistence, an open mind, and the courage to reinvent himself.
He didn’t let age, fear, or lack of experience stop him. He invested in his mindset first. And that changed everything.
You don’t have to be in uniform to carry discipline, service, and integrity into your work.
Joseph did. He translated those values into a people-first business, a culture of respect, and a mindset of possibility.
No matter where you are today, Joseph’s story reminds you that you can start again. With the right mindset, a willingness to learn, and the discipline to persist, your biggest impact may still be ahead.
You’re not too late. You’re right on time. The only question is: where do you want to go next?
For more information, watch the full episode here and grab a copy of Don’t Spread the Wealth. Discover how to make the infinite banking concept work for you.
ORDER A COPY OF OUR BOOK!
Don’t Spread the Wealth: How to Leverage the Family Banking System to Own All the Gold, Make the Rules, and Enjoy Generational Riches https://www.amazon.ca/Dont-Spread-Wealth-Leverage-Generational-ebook/dp/B0CW19QSGT/
Website: https://dontspreadwealth.com/
🎙️ WEALTH ON MAIN STREET LINKS:
Learn how Canadians are Implementing Infinite Banking for Free Here:
https://www.ascendantfinancial.ca/ibc-wwbs/?LeadSourceId=427
Podcast Website: https://wealthwithoutbaystreet.com/
Follow us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/wealthonmainstreetpodcast
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj8ZlieHodxhD0vC75-rq0g
Book a 15-minute call: https://www.ascendantfinancial.ca/schedule/?LeadSourceId=427
Watch our Tribute To The Man Who Created Infinite Banking R. Nelson Nash here:
🤝 Join Our Community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/wealthwithoutbaystreet/
📚 IBC RECOMMENDED BOOKS
https://shop.ascendantfinancial.ca/?LeadSourceId=427
📽️ WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY
Documentary Film This is Nelson Nash: https://www.ascendantfinancial.ca/nelson-nash-film/
💸 Financial Advisor? Learn about the Infinite Banking Concept here: Nelson Nash Institute Practitioner Program: https://infinitebanking.org/practitioners-program/ref/6/EVA – Economic Value Add The Real Key To Creating Wealth Article: https://infinitebanking.org/the-real-key-to-creating-wealth/ref/6/
