Meet Ricky Ricardo Villa of Casa Sur Hacienda LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricky Ricardo Villa.

Hi Ricky Ricardo, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Ricky Ricardo Villa: From Mexico City to the South Bay — Building Community, Connection, and Casa Sur Hacienda

In the vibrant heart of San Diego’s South Bay, one man’s vision is transforming a quarter-acre of land into a thriving ecosystem of creativity, culture, co-creation and connection. Known affectionately as “Ricky” Ricardo Villa, the founder of Casa Sur Hacienda, he’s more than a community leader — he’s a bridge builder, mover and shaker, storyteller, and movement-maker whose journey spans continents, careers, and causes.

From Mexico City’s Cultural Roots to New York’s Energy

Ricky’s story begins in Mexico City, where his passion for the arts and communication first took root. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media Arts and began his career with El Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes and Radio Educación, immersing himself in cultural programming and public media. His creative energy soon led him into the Broadway and show business world, where he discovered the transformative power of performance and storytelling.

In his twenties, Ricky set his sights on New York City, where he would live for two decades — an experience that expanded his perspective and solidified his belief in the power of human connection. During his years in the city that never sleeps, he worked across multiple industries, including HSBC Bank, Prudential Financial, Re/Max Today, New York University, DanceSport, Equinox, and New York Sports Club.

But it was his passion for movement that kept him grounded — quite literally. Ricky performed as a Latin dance and ballroom dancer at the Lincoln Center Midsummer Festival, blending his artistry with his cultural heritage in one of the world’s most iconic venues.

An Educator with Purpose

Driven by a desire to empower others, Ricky pursued a Master’s Degree in Bilingual, General, and Special Childhood Education, combining his love for learning and social impact. He went on to work as a case manager and special education teacher within both the New York City Public School System and several private schools. There, he witnessed firsthand how inclusion, compassion, and opportunity could transform lives — principles that would later form the foundation of Casa Sur Hacienda.

A California Dream with Purpose

Inspired by intentional communities, ecovillages, and artist-in-residence programs he encountered in New York and Vermont, Ricky began envisioning a new kind of gathering place — one that would merge art, business, education, and social impact under a single roof.

That dream led him west. In San Diego’s South Bay, he found not just a property, but a purpose. Casa Sur Hacienda was born — a curated, quarter-acre destination designed to bring people together: small business owners, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, and creative entrepreneurs all co-creating something larger than themselves.

Casa Sur Hacienda: Where Connection Becomes Action

Since its founding, Casa Sur Hacienda has hosted nearly 100 events, ranging from fundraisers and wellness retreats to business networking gatherings and cultural celebrations. Each event reflects Ricky’s philosophy: that social justice begins with connection.

Through Casa Sur, he has supported diverse causes — from aid for detained immigrants in Jacumba, California, to support for Ukrainian families, orphanages in Tijuana, Latina women entrepreneurs, minority-owned businesses, and mental health advocacy.

The Hacienda has partnered with organizations such as Corazón de Vida, Magnolias US, Ukraine International House, Boys to Men Mentoring, Cause San Diego, Emilio Nares Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, and chambers of commerce across the South Bay.

These collaborations have built a living network of compassion — one that bridges borders, languages, and disciplines in service of equity and belonging.

A Leader Rooted in Integrity and Movement

Ricky’s leadership is as multidimensional as his background. He’s a member of Business Networking International’s La Mesa Chapter, the Chula Vista, National City, and Otay-Mesa Chambers of Commerce, and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP). He also volunteers with Cause San Diego and Corazón de Vida San Diego Chapter, continuing to serve the community both personally and professionally.

Outside of his work, Ricky remains dedicated to his own wellbeing and artistry. He’s an avid open-water swimmer in La Jolla, practices hot yoga, rides his road bike, and continues to teach and perform dance privately — embodying the same balance and discipline he shares with his community.

A Binational Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Ricky envisions Casa Sur Hacienda as a vital bilingual, binational community hub in the San Diego South Bay — a gathering place for business, education, culture, and wellness that unites San Diego and Tijuana communities through shared purpose.

More than a venue, Casa Sur Hacienda represents a way of living — one rooted in connection, creativity, and compassion. Ricky Ricardo Villa’s story is proof that when passion meets purpose, the ripple effects can transform entire communities.

“Casa Sur Hacienda is more than a space,” Ricky says. “It’s a movement — a place where everyone belongs, where we can co-create, grow, and make an impact together.”

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all — it’s been a road with both turbulence and transformation. Every chapter has shaped who I am today.

I grew up in Mexico City, in a neighborhood that was vibrant but also rough at times. As a teenager, I experienced street fights and neighborhood conflicts that often made daily life unpredictable. My older brother, seeing the environment I was in, decided to enroll me in karate school so I could learn to defend myself. Karate taught me not just physical strength, but the deeper discipline of self-control and emotional balance.

And yet, self-regulation is something I still work on today. I grew up with a loving father who also had a darker side — he drank heavily and sometimes expressed himself through verbal abuse. As a child, that was confusing. It taught me early about the complexity of love, forgiveness, and boundaries. Learning to manage my own reactions — to choose calm over anger, understanding over judgment — continues to be one of my most important life lessons.

When I moved to the United States in my twenties, I faced new challenges — learning English as a second language as an adult and adapting to American culture while holding on to my Mexican roots. It wasn’t easy, but it taught me that identity isn’t about leaving something behind — it’s about growing in multiple directions at once.

Professionally, I’ve constantly reinvented myself — moving through different industries every two or three years. From media and culture in Mexico, to finance and education in New York, and now community leadership in California, every transition has been both exciting and uncomfortable. Reinvention takes courage, but it also brings clarity about what truly matters.

In my personal life, I’ve also experienced both joy and heartbreak. I’ve known deep love, support, and partnership in two marriages, but I also learned that professional recognition, artistic highlights, and public success mean little if they come at the expense of inner peace or a healthy relationship. The real measure of success, I’ve realized, is the ability to keep growing as a person — to become a better version of myself and a better man.

Through my master’s program and work in education, I learned that people aren’t good or bad — it’s their choices that are appropriate or inappropriate. That perspective reshaped how I view others and myself. I also discovered the difference between intention and impact — that even when our hearts are in the right place, our actions can still affect others in unexpected ways. Being aware of that has made me a more mindful leader and human being.

And perhaps one of my greatest personal challenges was learning independence. I was the youngest of nine siblings, very close to my mother — a proud “Mama’s boy” — and always protected by my older brothers and sisters. Moving to the U.S. meant leaving that safety net behind. I had to learn to be alone, solve my own problems, and trust myself completely. It was painful at times, but also empowering.

So no, it hasn’t been a smooth road. But every challenge — from childhood struggles and cultural transitions to personal losses and self-discovery — has been part of my evolution. Each experience has taught me resilience, empathy, and the courage to keep growing. The road hasn’t been easy, but it has been meaningful — and I wouldn’t trade a single step of it.

As you know, we’re big fans of Casa Sur Hacienda LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Casa Sur Hacienda is much more than a venue — it’s a movement of connection, collaboration, and community impact. As the founder and director, my mission has been to create a welcoming, inclusive space in San Diego’s South Bay where individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations can come together to learn, grow, and co-create.
Over the years, Casa Sur Hacienda has become a curated, quarter-acre destination that blends business, culture, education, and wellness under one roof. We’ve hosted nearly 100 events, each designed to build unity and spark creativity — from business networking gatherings and cultural celebrations to wellness retreats, workshops, and fundraisers that fits over 200 people, and provides overnight lodging for 14–20.
What truly sets Casa Sur Hacienda apart is our commitment to accessibility and inclusion. We open our doors to both for-profit and nonprofit groups, often offering the space at little or no cost, so that everyone — regardless of financial resources — can have a platform to share their mission and create impact. That accessibility helps promote visibility, sustainability, and profitability for everyone involved, generating positive social, financial, and emotional ripple effects throughout our community.
Our events and collaborations have supported an incredible range of causes — from detained immigrants in Jacumba, California, and wives of Ukrainian prisoners of war, to orphanages in Tijuana, South Bay teens with social-emotional challenges, Latina women entrepreneurs, minority-owned businesses, and families facing grief or mental-health struggles.
We’ve proudly partnered with organizations like Corazón de Vida, Magnolias US, Ukraine International House, Boys to Men Mentoring, Cause San Diego, Emilio Nares Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Doctors Without Borders, and multiple chambers of commerce including Chula Vista, National City, and Otay Mesa. Each partnership represents a shared commitment to building bridges — across borders, industries, and communities.
What makes me most proud of Casa Sur Hacienda as a brand is that it truly embodies unity in action. It’s a bilingual, bicultural, and soon-to-be binational hub that welcomes everyone. We’re building a model where art, business, wellness, and social good exist side by side — where a yoga class, a nonprofit fundraiser, and a small business expo can all happen in the same week, under the same sky.
Our long-term vision is to make Casa Sur Hacienda the premier bilingual and binational venue in the South Bay — a space that bridges San Diego and Tijuana through business, education, wellness, and cultural exchange. We want every person who visits to feel that they belong, that they’re seen, and that their work matters.
At its heart, Casa Sur Hacienda stands for one simple truth: when people come together with intention, creativity, and compassion, real change begins.

Casa Sur Hacienda Offerings
We offer a variety of customized event and partnership opportunities, including:
Venue rental for private, professional, and nonprofit events.

Event co-production and collaboration for fundraisers, workshops, retreats, and cultural gatherings.

Community partnership programs to support local causes and amplify impact.

Artist-in-residence and wellness initiatives designed to nurture creativity, wellbeing, and cross-cultural exchange.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a nonprofit leader, an artist, or a community advocate, Casa Sur Hacienda is a place where you can bring your ideas to life — surrounded by people who believe in purpose, collaboration, and progress.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?

There are so many ways people can collaborate with us at Casa Sur Hacienda, because this space truly thrives on partnership, creativity, and community spirit.

We love working with nonprofit and for-profit organizations, small businesses, artists, educators, and community leaders who share our vision of connection and impact. Whether you’re planning a fundraiser, cultural celebration, business mixer, educational workshop, or wellness retreat, Casa Sur Hacienda offers a welcoming, curated space — often affordable or even free of charge — to bring your ideas to life.

We also co-create and co-produce events with partners who want to make a difference in the South Bay and beyond. Every collaboration — no matter how big or small — becomes part of a larger story of community empowerment.

For example, on November 12, we’re partnering with Google to host a special training session on how to grow your business with AI-powered tools — an event designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners adapt, innovate, and thrive in a changing digital world. Then, on December 9, we’ll host “Comunidad Latinopreneur: Winter Soirée and Market”, a bilingual community gathering that celebrates local entrepreneurship while supporting the Emilio Nares Foundation through a Toy Drive and monetary donations. These events perfectly capture what Casa Sur Hacienda is all about — connection, growth, and giving back.

People can work with us in many ways:

Host your event or meeting at Casa Sur Hacienda — every booking supports our mission of accessibility and inclusion.

Volunteer or sponsor a community initiative, fundraiser, or workshop.

Collaborate on educational or wellness programs, binational exchanges, or cross-sector projects that make a positive impact.

Join our community events to network, learn, and support local entrepreneurs and nonprofits.

We’re building toward our long-term vision of becoming the first bilingual and binational hub in the San Diego South Bay, connecting San Diego and Tijuana through business, education, wellness, and culture.

At Casa Sur Hacienda, collaboration isn’t just a concept — it’s the heartbeat of everything we do. Working with us means joining a community that believes in shared growth, purpose, and social good. Together, we can continue creating spaces where people come together to co-create, grow sustainably, and make a lasting impact.

Pricing:

• Tier One $250 to $1500
• Tier two: $1500 to $3000
• Tier three: $3000 to up

Contact Info:

• Website: https://casasur.club
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casasur_hacienda/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083297019465
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricky-ricardo-villa-0338125/
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/RickyRicardoVilla