Opa
The First Modern Entrepreneur of Venezuela
by
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The Army revolt of 1902, was bad news for everybody. The coffee distribution was getting more difficult every day and Opa was very weakened by his illness. Armed troops from the government confiscated his house and stole his three mules. Opa was ruined and sick. He managed to go back to New York City and was hospitalized. After three months of recovery from the malaria, he asked his father for a loan to pursue his future in Venezuela where his family was patiently waiting for him. Unexpectedly, months later, his three faithful mules returned home on their own. After all, they knew the road back home well!
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About the Book
This is a biography of William H. Phelps, affectionately known by his family as Opa, and his extraordinary life story that took him from his native New York to Venezuela at the beginning of the twentieth century where he became a visionary entrepreneur and a renowned ornithologist. This book is about love and commitment. His love for Alicia draws him back to Venezuela, a country he had traveled to initially for another love—his passion for birds. During his journey, Opa had to develop his inner entrepreneurial talent, using all his physical and mental strength to provide for his family while striving to accumulate enough wealth to allow him to chase his other love—ornithology. In his journey, Opa became the first modern entrepreneur of his adoptive country. This is a fascinating tale of a family saga based on the early days of Venezuela.
About the Author
Jean Nestares Phelps is an artist based in the United States, whose body of work includes photography, writing, painting and illustrating. “ Opa, the First Modern Entrepreneur of Venezuela” is a love letter honoring her mother’s family story. Her personal life took her from Venezuela to Spain, France, Italy, Mexico and back to the U.S. Nestares’ multicultural background and diverse international experiences have enriched her three previous successful books: Taking Flight, The Art of Falconry and Tick-Tock Blue Planet. Her inspiration comes from listening and sourcing her energy from the people who surround her as they unknowingly become part of her tale. These conversations and exchanges all come together in her evolving palette. “Many people think that creativity is a lighting bolt, but I think it comes in whispers.” These whispers that Nestares continues to explore and interpret will further enrich her body of work with many projects to come.