The Truth About Luis D. Ortiz From World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals

Some people like to take some time after high school to figure out what they want. Per CNBC, Luis D. Ortiz wasn't one of them. Instead, he and his twin brother ran away from home at the age of 16, lying to their parents that they were merely going to the beach, but actually using their savings to take a flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 

This wasn't just a spring break situation, either. They were living in Puerto Rico at the time, and genuinely set out to forge their path in the U.S., so the move was an extremely drastic one. Fortunately, leaving home at an early age and in such a stealthy manner didn't hurt Ortiz's relationship with his parents too much in the long run, and they eventually resumed contact.

Ortiz says that the exit plan was necessary, because his home situation didn't really mesh with his ambitious nature. " My parents were very strict," he said. "They raised us the old fashioned way, with branch whippings on your legs. My mother meant well, but even when I was young, I always reacted negatively to an environment that did not allow me to move forward."