“Caring for Seniors” is an inspiring TV show featuring interviews with successful entrepreneurs and leaders around the world. The show focuses on business leadership, motivation, and success stories, with the goal of sparking inspiration and igniting success in the audience. Today our host, Nathan Polete, spoke with James Wojnar.
Daniel Locke MS
CEO of A1A Investigators
Website Address: https://a1ainvestigators.com/
Short company description:
A1A Investigators, Inc. is a Florida-licensed investigative agency dedicated to protecting individuals, families, and vulnerable adults. We assist with elder-related investigations, locate missing loved ones, investigate financial exploitation and fraud, conduct wellness-related investigations called “Alive & Wellness Checks”, and help families find answers during difficult situations. Our mission is to provide experienced, compassionate investigative services while treating every client like family.
Tell me a time you failed forward and what you learned from the experience.
One of the biggest times I failed forward was when I started my own investigative agency. Like many entrepreneurs, I thought success would come simply from being good at what I did. I quickly realized that running a business requires much more than investigative skills—it requires learning marketing, leadership, finances, client communication, and adapting to constant challenges. There were times I invested in things that didn’t work, made business decisions I would make differently today, and faced obstacles that could have easily made me quit. But every setback taught me something. Instead of viewing failures as defeats, I treated them as tuition. Each mistake made me a better investigator and a better business owner. Today, when I take on a difficult case or advise a client, I draw from those experiences. Failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s often the path to it. The key is learning from it, adapting, and refusing to quit. My daughter is a high school wrestler who was a state placer in Florida as a freshman and I tell her all the time, “never give up”.
What are your biggest obstacles and barriers to success?
One of the biggest obstacles has been earning trust in an industry where people are often coming to you during some of the most stressful times in their lives. Whether it’s a family searching for answers, an attorney preparing a case, or someone worried about a loved one, trust has to be earned. Another challenge is that every investigation is different. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. You have to adapt, think critically, and remain objective while managing expectations. Sometimes the facts aren’t what a client hoped for, but my responsibility is to provide the truth—not just the answer someone wants to hear. As a business owner, another barrier has been balancing growth while maintaining the standards that built A1A Investigators. My goal has never been to become the biggest agency; it’s been to build a reputation for integrity, professionalism, and results. Protecting that reputation as the company grows is something I work on every day because it’s the foundation of everything we do.
What is the proudest moment of your leadership career?
When I think about leadership, I don’t think about titles. I think about the people you’ve influenced and the example you’ve set. One of the proudest moments of my career has been building A1A Investigators into a respected investigative agency while maintaining a reputation for integrity and professionalism. I’m also incredibly proud of having the opportunity to teach future private investigators. Watching students go on to earn their licenses and build careers of their own has been very rewarding. Knowing that I’ve been able to pass along not just investigative techniques, but the importance of ethics, professionalism, and treating people with respect, is something I’ll always be proud of. At the end of the day, leadership isn’t about being in charge. It’s about serving others, earning trust, and helping people become better than they were yesterday. If the people I’ve worked with and taught carry those values forward, then I consider that one of the greatest accomplishments of my career.
