How a first-generation immigrant’s son built New England’s premier awning empire.

BOSTON has always been a city of champions—from the Celtics’18 banners to the Patriots’ dynasty to the Red Sox breaking the Curse of the Bambino. But championship mettle isn’t reserved for Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium, and our favorite Garden.  

It lives in the entrepreneurs who build empires from garage startups, who turn vision into reality, and who refuse to settle for anything less than excellence.  

Andrew LaFuente embodies this spirit, transforming a childhood passion into one of New England’s most successful signage and awning companies. 

“I always expected to win, failure to me never, ever crossed my mind,” LaFuente reflects from his Everett headquarters, surrounded by the tools of a trade he’s mastered and revolutionized. His story isn’t just about business success—it’s about vision, relentless execution, and the particular brand of determined excellence that defines Boston’s entrepreneurial elite. 

Foundation in Portuguese Excellence 

Born in Cambridge in 1990 to first-generation Portuguese immigrants, Andrew’s entrepreneurial education began in the most authentic classroom possible: real business operations. His family’s move from North Reading to Somerville wasn’t just a change of address—it was a demonstration of the values that would shape his future success. 

When local politics threatened educational programs important to his family, Andrew witnessed his father take decisive action. Rather than accept the status quo, his father challenged the incumbent mayor and won the primary—the first time in Somerville’s history this had happened. “That was my first introduction into what it meant to be a man, a father and how to lead,” Andrew remembers. The lesson was foundational: when you believe in something, you fight for it with everything you have. 

At twelve, Andrew began working with his father’s signage and awning company, immediately falling in love with every aspect of the business. From the sound of hardware hitting concrete to the satisfaction of a perfectly installed awning he was captivated by the craftsmanship and precision required. But his real business education came through the ‘Amigos da Terca’, an exclusive group of Portuguese businessmen who recognized Andrew’s potential early. 

“These guys knew it, and they just embraced me,” Andrew recalls. “They just saw that there was something special about me.” The group became his informal board of advisors, teaching him that success comes from strategic thinking, relentless execution, and an unwavering commitment to excellence—not just academic credentials. 

One mentor, Sal, particularly inspired young Andrew. Starting with a single Dunkin’ Donuts franchise, Sal eventually owned over 100 locations across Massachusetts through pure business acumen and tireless work ethic. The lesson was transformative: in America, with enough determination and smart decisions, you can build an empire from almost nothing. 

Early Entrepreneurial Success 

By fourteen, Andrew was ready to test these lessons. Season Cleaners, his snow removal and landscaping company, became his first laboratory for business principles. Managing high school friends, he learned about customer service, time management, and the deep satisfaction that comes from building something yourself. 

“If I said that I was going to be a trash collector, I’d be the best fucking trash collector,” he says, expressing a philosophy that would define his entire career. Excellence wasn’t about the industry—it was about approach, execution, and an uncompromising commitment to quality. 

His athletic success in basketball and football demonstrated the same competitive drive, but academics never captured his imagination the way business did. When guidance counselors suggested limited college options based on his grades, Andrew saw opportunity rather than limitation. 

The transformation at Lasell College was remarkable. Motivated by the environment and focused on his goals, Andrew discovered that combining street smarts with academic knowledge could accelerate his trajectory. “If you have the street smarts and the book smarts, you can go much further, much quicker,” he realized. 

When Babson University rejected his application, Andrew kept the rejection letter and framed it—not as a reminder of failure, but as fuel for future success. His transfer to Bentley University for a more business-focused education was strategic, understanding that every skill he developed would eventually benefit his entrepreneurial ambitions. 

Mastering the Family Business 

Throughout college, Andrew immersed himself deeper into the family company, taking on increasingly sophisticated projects and developing an encyclopedic understanding of the industry. The company was landing prestigious contracts—the Winter Classic at Fenway Park, major projects for WWE, work with professional sports teams across the country. 

The Winter Classic project exemplified Andrew’s growing expertise and passion. Working eighteen-hour days in sub-zero temperatures, installing thousands of square feet of signage around Fenway Park, he discovered that physical challenges only intensified his love for the work. “This is awesome. This is so much fun,” he would think during those grueling but exhilarating installations. 

These experiences taught him that excellence in signage and awning work requires both technical precision and artistic vision. Every project was an opportunity to perfect his craft, to push boundaries, and to establish new standards for what was possible in the industry. 

Overcoming Physical Challenges 

Andrew’s path to success included a significant personal challenge that would have derailed lesser entrepreneurs. At seventeen, a football injury led to the development of cervical dystonia, a neurological condition causing painful muscle spasms in his neck. For years, he struggled with misdiagnoses and ineffective treatments from multiple specialists. 

“I never accepted that I had a disability,” Andrew says with characteristic determination. “I’m a very stubborn personality.” Rather than let physical limitations define his future, he channeled his energy into finding solutions while continuing to build his business expertise. 

The breakthrough came through Dr. Nutan Sharma at Massachusetts General Hospital. Where previous doctors offered only risky surgical options, Dr. Sharma provided targeted Botox treatments that restored Andrew’s mobility and confidence. This experience reinforced his belief that with persistence and the right resources, any challenge can be overcome. 

Building His Empire 

When Andrew decided to start his own company, he wasn’t running from something—he was running toward his vision of what the industry could become. Starting from his mother’s garage with nothing but determination and expertise, he began building what would become New England’s premier signage and awning operation. 

His first job—seven awnings for a cleaning company in Stoneham—took him a month to complete, work he could now finish in days. But even then, his commitment to quality was uncompromising. Every installation had to be perfect, every client interaction had to exceed expectations. 

“I literally had nothing,” he recalls. “I had no money, there were no resources.” But he also had something invaluable: a decade of intensive training, an extensive network of industry contacts, and an unshakeable belief in his vision. 

The early challenges were significant. Some suppliers initially refused to work with the new company, forcing Andrew to travel hours to New Hampshire to find partners willing to support his vision. Rather than see this as a setback, he used it as motivation to build even stronger vendor relationships based on mutual respect and shared commitment to excellence. 

Strategic Growth and Innovation 

Andrew’s approach to growth was methodical and strategic. Rather than hiring employees, he worked with carefully selected subcontractors, maintaining flexibility while building an unassailable reputation for quality. Every project became a showcase for what was possible when traditional craftsmanship met innovative thinking. 

“The greatest luxury that I have today is being able to reject projects because we really are not suited for everybody,” Andrew explains. Reputation brought the ultimate business freedom: selectivity. He could now work only with clients who understood value, appreciated craftsmanship, and trusted his vision. 

Industry Leadership 

Today, Lafuente Sign & Awning is recognized throughout New England and nationally as a premier signage and awning company. Recent projects include the sophisticated installation for the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at Saunders Castle, demonstrating the company’s ability to handle high-profile projects that blend technical expertise with artistic vision. 

The company’s approach reflects Andrew’s personal philosophy: “I only want to work with people who genuinely understand what the value is in working with us and aren’t simply looking for the cheapest price.” This isn’t about premium pricing for its own sake; it’s about delivering work that justifies investment and exceeds expectations. 

From his Everett headquarters, Andrew oversees projects throughout Boston and beyond. His work graces sports venues, cultural institutions, commercial districts, and residential properties. The visual landscape of the city bears his signature—a testament to the power of combining traditional craftsmanship with innovative vision. 

“We’ve brought attention to this industry,” Andrew notes with justified pride. “Boston knows about it, but other states, other cities, other companies are looking at the way we’re doing things and either taking us to their city or trying to replicate what we’re doing.” 

Family Legacy and Future Vision 

Perhaps most meaningfully, Andrew has created the family business experience for the next generation with his daughter Cecilia. “One of her first words was awning,” he says proudly. She accompanies him to job sites, meets clients, and experiences the same immersion in business excellence that shaped Andrew’s childhood. 

“I want Cecilia to have the same kind of experience I had,” he explains. The entrepreneurial legacy continues, guided by the same values of excellence, integrity, and relentless pursuit of quality that have defined his success. 

The health challenges that once threatened his career are now completely managed through regular treatments with Dr. Sharma. What could have been a career-ending obstacle instead became proof that determination and the right support can overcome any challenge. 

Philosophy of Excellence 

Andrew’s success philosophy is elegantly simple: “You start a business because of a passion and you hope people believe and buy into that passion – it’s never just about making money.” True success comes from pursuing excellence for its own sake, from building something meaningful that serves clients and community alike. 

“We’re not here just for the sake of being here,” he reflects. “What is your purpose? What is your calling?” For Andrew, that calling has always been clear: to push the boundaries of what’s possible in signage and awning work, to set new standards for quality and innovation, and to build a business that serves as a model for others. 

This philosophy extends to every aspect of his operation. “Respect falls into primarily self-respect first,” he explains. “If you can’t take care of yourself in all aspects, you can’t take care of anybody else.” Excellence begins with personal standards and extends outward to team, clients, and community. 

City of Champions Impact 

Andrew’s story embodies what makes Boston special: the refusal to accept limitations, the ability to transform challenges into opportunities, and the understanding that true success requires both individual excellence and community contribution. Like the Patriots’ sustained excellence or the Red Sox’ historic comeback, Andrew has demonstrated that championship performance comes from preparation, persistence, and an uncompromising commitment to quality. 

“Everything that I’m doing, it’s not just my vision, it was our vision,” he reflects, acknowledging that his success builds on the foundation laid by his parents and grandparents, while establishing new standards for what’s possible. 

His impact extends beyond business success. By elevating industry standards and bringing attention to traditional craftsmanship, Andrew has created opportunities for others and demonstrated that any industry can be transformed through vision and execution. 

Continuing Legacy 

Andrew LaFuente’s story represents the best of American entrepreneurship: the transformation of immigrant family values into business excellence, the conversion of early challenges into competitive advantages, and the building of something meaningful that extends beyond personal success. 

From his family first arriving from Portugal more than 60 years ago, to the pinnacle of New England’s signage industry, Andrew has proven that with enough determination, strategic thinking, and commitment to excellence, any vision can become reality. In a city that celebrates champions, he has earned his place among Boston’s entrepreneurial elite. 

His legacy continues to grow with every perfect installation, every satisfied client, and every moment he shares his passion with the next generation. In the City of Champions, this is exactly how lasting success is built—one excellent project at a time, with uncompromising standards and unstoppable determination.