The story of a man who chose his own path
From working at the age of 5 out of sheer determination, to building a conglomerate of companies from Panama — this is Alfredo De Vanna's journey. Without filters.
The boy who didn't wait for anyone's permission
There are people who expect life to present them with opportunities. And there are people who, From the age of 5, they are already creating their own. Alfredo De Vanna belongs to this second category — not because of circumstances, but because of his own personality. by character.
At that age, Alfredo convinced the owner of a variety store to give him a job after school. He earned the equivalent of $1.50 per full day. Not out of economic necessity. He did it because He wanted to experience the freedom to decide what to do with his own money. That same spirit soon led him to build a homemade vending machine with a cardboard box to sell drinks and candy at a neighbor's birthday party.
What few know: his father subjected him to a daily regimen—personal growth books from 1pm to 4pm, and weekend personal development workshops from 8am to 2pm, where Alfredo was always the youngest. What seemed to be discipline was the foundation of everything he would build later.
“Freedom is not expected; it is designed. And it always begins with a conscious personal decision.”
Alfredo grew up in Venezuela, where he studied simultaneously as a Systems Analyst and Programmer, and as an Accounting Assistant — being recognized as a the youngest student in his institution. Fintech technology: the combination that would define his entire career.
The journey: from Venezuela al world
1996 - 1999
First steps in Venezuela
Sales Manager at Importadora Arco Iris, then General Manager of Riso Supplies (3 branches, 35+ employees). To pay the car off with 69% interest annually, he also did night taxi driving and sold advertising on the radio.
1999
The leap to the United Kingdom — with $4,000 and determination
He arrives in London with £ $2,200 (equivalent to a few weeks' worth of income). Basic English closes the doors on him. He works as a waiter in the bar from the Hammersmith station. Principle: Whatever you do, be the best.
1999
The hand cut that changed his life
A glass almost cuts off his finger while he’s taking out the trash. He spends the night in the hospital, loses the interview for a better-paying bar job. The regular customer to whom he made fresh margaritas turned out to work at Citibank — and offered him the work that would change everything.
1999 – 2002
Citibank: from temporary archivist to Assistant to the Manager
In 18 months, he went from being a temporary employee (with the phone banned because no one understood it) to Assistant Manager. He designed a system that reduced the opening of accounts from 6 weeks to days. Support in London, Jersey, Spain and Switzerland.
2002 – 2007
Global consulting — Integritie UK
Recruited. He lived in two suitcases, from hotel to hotel. Projects for JP Morgan, UBS, RBC, CIBC, TD Bank, Wells Fargo, Regeneron, Sun Life Financial. The owner promised shares for years and never delivered them. A lesson he shares with every client today.
2007
Spain's bet
He sells everything and moves to Málaga. House with 4 levels overlooking the sea and the mountains. Plan: Refinance and set up an educational technology store. The timing was perfect. And Then came 2008
2008
From -$400,000 to the Renaissance
He sells everything and moves to Málaga. House with 4 levels overlooking the sea and the mountains. Plan: Refinance and set up an educational technology store. The timing was perfect. And Then came 2008
2008
The call of the Caribbean — Yakidoo is born
An old client from the Caribbean contacts him with a project. He celebrated it as an Olympic medal. Yakidoo was born from that call — first from Spain, then with Víctor Ventura in Oakville, Canada.
2008 - 2012
Yakidoo Canada: from startup to Forbes company
Hundreds of projects for Fortune 500 companies. In 2012 he founded Yakidoo Latinoamérica. With AIIM: Technical industry certifications in Spanish for the first time.
2012
Yakidoo University and Spanish certifications
He noted that the certifications for his industry only existed in English. It teamed up with KOFAX and AIIM to provide them in Spanish. He became an AIIM certified instructor.
2018
The strategic exit — the most difficult achievement
Yakidoo at $4M/year, 45 employees. Alfredo executed his exit plan. He sold his shares, He disconnected from the operation and took control of his time. Method, not luck.
2019 - Today
Panama
Grupo PROGREVO: the legacy under construction
Yakidoo LATAM + PROGREVO + SIONDER + Krispy Freeze. Forbes Centro América 2024. +1M podcast downloads. Dual Master ENEB Barcelona (2024-2025). Active advisor with $1.73M cases in structured financing.
Strengths
The milestones that
Create the advice
Training
His education
the shoulders of giants
He has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in direct training with the best in the world. What he transfers to his clients is not theory—it is the distillation of decades of learning.
KEYMENTORS
ACADEMIC TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS
“True success is not measured solely in economic terms. It is measured in the ability to live a purposeful and fulfilling life, on your own terms.”
Philosophy
THE 4 VALUES OF PROGREVO GROUP
COMMUNITY, PODCAST AND ACADEMY
community, podcast
& ACADEMIA
In 2019, inspired by giving back to his Hispanic American roots and closing the gap left by the traditional educational system, Alfredo launched the Podcast PROGRESANDO ANDO.
PODCAST · 2019–2023
Moving forward Ando
1M+
Downloads
100+
Episodes
Weekly
2019–2023
Pausado was forced to pause in 2023 to focus on Yakidoo, SIONDER, and Krispy Freeze following the impact of the pandemic. Thanks to the lessons learned in 2008, he was able to mitigate the damage. He continues to fund the content to keep it published, and intends to relaunch it.
ACADEMIA · ONLINE
The Academy of Progress
7 AREAS OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
PHILOSOPHY · KEITH CUNNINGHAM
L10 questions that changed everything
Alfredo pinned them on his desk in 2008 and read them every morning. They are the core of his philosophy.
01/
What am I doing today to achieve what I want?
02/
Is this way of acting leading me towards where I want to go, or am I just settling for what I have?
03/
How would the person I want to be do what I am about to do?
04/
How long can I maintain this vision?
05/
In which person must I become in order to attract the success I desire?
06/
What am I doing today to achieve what I want?
07/
Is this way of acting leading me towards where I want to go, or am I just settling for what I have?
08/
How would the person I want to be do what I am about to do?
09/
How long can I maintain this vision?
10/
In which person must I become in order to attract the success I desire?
Are you ready for the next step?
Ready to transform
Your company and your life?
A conversation can change the course of your business. Schedule your appointment complementary with Alfredo