Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ari Paz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ari, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Please tell us about starting your own firm and if you’d do anything different knowing what you know now.
Intellectual curiosity led me to open a consulting firm. The execution of complex tasks drives me because it allows me to be creative and strategize. During my last year of grad school, I was somewhat bored with my career, and starting a business seemed like the next challenge I wanted to take on. At the time it felt like I didn’t know much, but I knew I could ‘figure it out’. Today my firm supports the implementation or improvement of programs for local and national organizations that are leading educational initiatives. Our work is centered on capacity-building strategies that target pathways to economic mobility and social resilience. We choose to work on projects that will have a lasting impact and open doors for generations to come. We also enjoy university speaking engagements, hosting networking events, and bringing people together to share what we know.
Much of what we do was built from our experience or a desire to have experienced something we didn’t know about or didn’t exist. I left college thinking I would have enjoyed exposure to other industries, opportunities to meet young female business owners, and would have benefited from mentorship. This made me aware of the gaps in workforce training that many universities don’t offer for first-generation college students. I wanted to create a program for future graduates. An internship program for students to gain high-level industry experience before graduation. I did it. In the last few years, I’ve been able to work with almost 20 Hispanic student interns, from the High School level to Graduate students! I show them every aspect of the business, from creating budgets to drafting proposals, leading meetings, and managing projects. I want to help them become strong team members, teach them to excel in challenging situations, and prepare them for entrepreneurship if that’s where their interests lie. I encourage all young professionals to learn from the adults in their life, be observative, ask questions and begin learning about insurance, banking, and personal finance early on. Along with seeking education outside the classroom, pursuing philanthropic engagement, volunteering, joining boards, fellowships, and networking.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hola, I’m Ari, a Latina with Mexican roots, born in Dallas, TX. After combining a background in Higher Education, Public Service, and Real Estate, my career path evolved into a Community Development Profession. This led me to open a consulting firm in 2018, to support the need for basic services among Hispanic business owners. I recognized the absence of services in areas that are imperative for their success. Many were unattainable due to language barriers, low technical or administrative abilities, representation, or an inability to perform due diligence or market research.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
As a Bilingual Latina, many of us are tasked with translating for family, friends, and neighbors. My mom would often volunteer me, from childhood until this day. It’s funny to share this but I’m thankful for it. Those early experiences and pro-bono work equipped me with public speaking skills, empowering me to speak up for the community, mobilizing my resourcefulness and ability to leverage connections. Ultimately building the foundation for my consulting firm. I can humbly share that after 4 years, I’ve managed over 1,000 Projects ranging from:
- Multi-industry Small Business Development
- Wet Utility Infrastructure installing over one million ft of pipeline
- Land Development & Residential Construction
- Real Estate Investments & Portfolio Management
Looking back from where I started, to 2022, I continue to see a large gap among BIPOC businesses and they mostly relate to education. For this reason, I transitioned from working with individuals or small businesses to supporting organizations leading high-impact programs nationwide. This will maximize the impact of my work. Reaching larger audiences allows me to share what I’ve learned. I’m able to educate large groups and organizations on subjects that we don’t always learn about until we’re stuck. Injustices in some municipalities that push away BIPOC businesses, women managing firms in male-dominated industries, young entrepreneurs seeking guidance, and other factors that limit or dissuade the growth of many businesses; as I’ve witnessed throughout the years.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Being proactive and resourceful. If I didn’t have an answer or solution, I would spend time speaking to experts, doing research, attending events, conferences, and anything else that could help. There is a wealth of information on the internet. As one of my friends once said, “some of the best universities out there are google and youtube”. They’re free and you can learn anything in less than 10 minutes. Nothing was as rewarding as these two sources, along with having a supportive network. I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned, through my work, speaking engagements, hosting events and bringing people together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vamos.consulting/
Image Credits
Credit to Ashlee Freese photography for my personal photo
Headshot: https://ashleefreesephotography.com/