Lucas Vitello

Even as a child, I was developing my understanding of what a strong work ethic looked like. I was fortunate to have two capable and hardworking parents who modeled that every single day. Sometimes, I’d even join my dad on side jobs, where I got to apply the values they were teaching me firsthand.

I started working a formal job as soon as I was able to get my working papers. I held many jobs over the years, but it wasn’t until I turned 17 that I began to understand the difference between simply having a job and engaging in work that could serve as a catalyst for a career. At the time, I was employed at a big-box retailer, where I met my first mentor—Dave, the store manager. I had inherited a strong work ethic from my parents, but I lacked direction. Dave changed that. He took me under his wing and showed me how to think beyond my current role and start seeing the big picture.

I had an interest in technology, and Dave encouraged me to lean into that curiosity. He created opportunities for me to apply what I was learning, challenged me to grow, and pushed me to excel. Under his mentorship, I became one of the company’s top sales reps in technology and a subject matter expert in tech troubleshooting. But Dave’s lessons extended beyond my department. He taught me not to view the store as a collection of isolated departments, but as pieces of a larger whole. I learned about departments beyond my own, studied store financials and business processes, and gained insights into the employees, their roles, and the different types of customers we served.

You might be wondering why I’m telling you about a job I had at 17—but that job, and more importantly the lessons I learned there, laid the foundation for everything that came after. Those fundamentals have guided my path ever since.

Over the years, I’ve built on that early foundation with every new experience. It’s led me to successfully launch and run my own company, consult with other businesses on finding their path to success, and build a rewarding career at a Fortune 100 company. I started in an entry-level role, but by using the skills I share in this book, I grew my career year after year to where I am today, a Lead role in IT, and a Subject Matter Expert for the entire company.

I believe it’s important that you, as the reader, know a little about who I am. But let me be clear—The Career Edge isn’t a book about me. This is a book for you. My story isn’t what made me successful; it’s what I learned along the way that gave me my edge. Now, I’m passing those lessons on to you—so you can make them part of your own journey.