Early Roots of Resilience and Purpose
Louis Arriola’s journey began in Brooklyn, New York—a place known for grit, diversity, and determination. Those traits would later define his approach to business. As a proud United States Marine veteran, Arriola attributes much of his mental toughness and strategic discipline to his military training. “The Marines taught me not just how to lead,” he once shared, “but how to persist when others would give up.”
He is also a devoted family man and Christian, married for over 28 years to his wife Sharlene, with whom he has raised three daughters: Christina, Taryn, and Jadyn. His values—rooted in faith, family, and service—continue to shape his leadership style and his relentless drive to uplift others. You can explore some of his professional achievements and creative work on Behance, where his visual storytelling reflects the same integrity that fuels his business ventures.
Lessons from a Telecom Titan
Arriola’s business journey exploded in the telecommunications space. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: “Build something sustainable by solving real-world problems.”
At Pacific Bell and Winstar Communications, he led sales strategies that brought in hundreds of millions in annual revenue. At AT&T, he scaled global network operations to generate over a billion dollars annually. He emphasizes three key lessons from this time:
- Relationships drive results. Success in sales and telecom is built on trust and long-term value—not quick wins.
- Scale requires systems. You can’t hit billion-dollar goals without operational discipline and performance metrics.
- Stay humble, stay hungry. The moment you think you’ve made it is the moment someone outpaces you.
To gain deeper insights into his leadership journey and current ventures, connect with him directly through his LinkedIn profile, where he shares updates, achievements, and messages that reflect his commitment to integrity-driven entrepreneurship.
Philanthropy, Media, and a Legacy of Impact
In 2015, Arriola founded NYLA Production, producing inclusive and emotionally resonant content such as Will to Love, Boy Bye, and Up North. His projects on Netflix and TV One have helped redefine modern storytelling, with a focus on empowering underrepresented voices.
Beyond media, Arriola is driven by social responsibility. In the Dominican Republic, he launched Pro Capital Film Studio, a tech-empowered educational and production hub offering broadband access and training. His work is showcased in a powerful video interview, where he discusses his vision for bridging the digital divide and leaving a legacy of empowerment through technology and storytelling.