Joshua Aguirre - Healing Hearts Through Business

At eleven years old, a traumatic encounter with a Great Dane set Joshua Aguirre on an unexpected path toward entrepreneurship. Initially inspired by the compassionate care of his medical team during recovery, young Joshua dreamed of becoming a surgeon. However, when faced with the decade-long commitment of medical school, his desire to make an immediate positive impact led him to explore alternative paths.

Technology became his gateway to helping others. While working at Radio Shack during high school, Joshua noticed many senior citizens struggling with their devices. This observation, combined with his self-taught web and graphic design skills, sparked his first entrepreneurial venture - a computer repair service that earned him nearly six times his retail hourly wage.

The transition from helping seniors with technology to founding Cressio in 2012 reflected a deeper understanding of his purpose. Under the mentorship of Jerome Pace, his former Radio Shack manager, Joshua developed a business model that prioritized social impact over mere profit. His childhood experience of feeling vulnerable and receiving compassionate care transformed into a mission to support under resourced communities.

"Once upon a time," Joshua reflects, "there was a boy who felt lost, alone, and abandoned and realized that his story can help others to feel found, supported, and lifted up toward their calling." This evolution from personal trauma to purposeful entrepreneurship embodies the heart of Joshua's journey.

Today, his dream has expanded beyond individual technical support to encompass broader economic development initiatives, proving that sometimes our deepest wounds can guide us toward our most meaningful work.