December Staff Spotlight
Q&A with
Juan Francisco Martínez Lara
Sunshine Enterprises’ Business Acceleration Services Project Manager
Juan has been part of the Sunshine family for 2-1/2 years as a Project Manager for our Business Acceleration Services (BAS). He was a perfect candidate for this position since he had extensive experience working with the Hispanic community. Before his current position, Juan was the Office Manager in the Consul General's office at the Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago for nearly six years. When asked about the rewarding experience of working at Sunshine, Juan says “Alumni making their way to big retail stores or building up a successful brand is always something impactful for all. However, I find it especially meaningful when a rising entrepreneur is able to take that first step and realize its not impossible, that they have what it takes.” Juan’s main responsibilities at Sunshine are managing the coaching programs, organizing/coordinating events and vending opportunities, and developing/implementing strategies to strengthen alumni engagement.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
Learning from alumni, their resilience, nobleness, hope and many other virtues that shine in them.
Q: How do you create a positive and inclusive environment to help alumni succeed?
We constantly remind them about best practices… to make the most out of the opportunities we offer, especially the coaching. We offer all our content and opportunities in English and Spanish and support our Spanish speaking alumni with situations where there is the need to speak only English. It is important to be empathetic and mindful that life happens. I try to put myself in the alums shoes and help them in the best way possible.
Q: What strategies do you use to keep Sunshine’s alumni engaged and motivated?
Provide them with relevant information, news, opportunities, meet and listen to them as much as possible, offer events and learning opportunities based on their feedback, connect them with professionals and institutions where they can continue to grow.
Q: What challenges (if any) have you encountered in your position and how have you overcome them?
The biggest challenge is getting the best information possible to the alumni at the most convenient moment. This is why I advice them to be proactive and ask, ask, ask, and follow up. If we don’t have anything to share at the moment we will have them on our radar and get back to them if we find or come across something helpful.
Q: Any final thoughts and/or advice you have for entrepreneurs?
Be proactive, be disciplined - behave as the business person you dream to be.
Organize your time - many alumni have full time jobs but make time, every day, to think about their business.
Don’t forget to take good care of yourself mentally and spiritually.
Learn how to network - don’t be afraid to knock on doors, find allies and maintain good relationships with them, learn how to say no, too.
Believe in yourself and your business.
None of this is easy, but remember, if it were, everyone would do it.
The BAS Team
(L to R): Quandra Speights, Sinclaire Dorsten, Juan Francisco Martinez Lara, Sergio Anariba