We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Carlos Pagan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Carlos below.
Alright, Carlos thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
When I moved to Jacksonville six years back, one of the first things I noticed was how American companies were kinda missing the mark with reaching out to the Hispanic community. I mean, their ads weren’t hitting the right notes. It was like they were throwing money into something that they clearly did not understand. (Translating your content doesn’t break the cultural barrier)
As I rode the bus, I overheard Hispanic folks poking fun at these ads, and that got me thinking. I decided to dig deeper into what was going on. Turns out, Jacksonville is going through some big changes with its Hispanic population growing fast.
So, I decided to get involved. I started connecting with the Hispanic community and also got in touch with folks from the American and African American communities. My goal was clear: Jacksonville needed someone who could bridge the gap between cultures, especially from a marketing perspective.
According to the census, there are over 150,000 Hispanics living in the city right now, but believe me, there are much more. I was hired by the CENSUS in 2020 to get people to fill out the census forms, but trust issues got in the way. Half of the Hispanic families I talked to were really concerned about giving their information to a government agency.
But here’s the thing: around 1,000 Hispanics are moving to Jacksonville every month. That’s a lot of new faces, and they’re bringing with them a lot of potential. Their buying power, their eagerness to work, and their entrepreneurial spirit are going to shake things up in less than 10 years, according to all the forecasts.
Now, businesses in Jacksonville can either ignore these changes or embrace them. Those who pay attention could find some real opportunities, like keeping hold of good workers and lowering their turnover ratio significantly, and or discovering new ways to make money.
So, if you want to know more about what’s happening in Jacksonville’s changing landscape, just give me a shout. I’ve got plenty more insights to share. :)
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Back in college, I was drawn to marketing because I found it fascinating how it could help businesses achieve their goals and meet their needs. These days, I mostly work as a consultant for American businesses looking to embrace a more multicultural approach. What makes me stand out is my passion for the field, my solid training, and the unique resources I bring to the table.
One project I’m really proud of is the Hispanic Attraction and Retention Program (HARP for short). I created this idea with the vision of solving American business’s cultural barriers and adapting them to a multicultural approach. I implemented this on a local sawmill in Jacksonville with great results as expected. In just a year and a half, I boosted the Hispanic workforce from a measly 1% to a solid 15%, and we managed to cut down turnover by a whopping 25%. The Hispanic crew consistently outperformed the others, catching the attention of the higher-ups in the company.
Here’s the thing: every business in Jacksonville is going to need to think about reaching out to the Hispanic community sooner or later. The real question is whether you want to get ahead of the curve now or wait until you’re forced to make a big, costly change down the line.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
So, when I landed in Jacksonville and figured out my game plan, the first thing I had to do was set up an agency to tackle this need. But here’s the kicker: I didn’t exactly have a pile of cash lying around. Luckily, one awesome thing about the U.S. is all the different ways you can make some extra dough and make a positive impact at the same time.
So, I decided to roll up my sleeves and donate plasma. I did it like clockwork for nearly a year, hitting up the donation center twice a week until I had scraped together enough cash to cover all the fees and startup costs.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
When it comes to managing a team and keeping morale sky-high, leadership training courses can be a game-changer. One program I highly recommend is Dale Carnegie Training. Here’s why:
- Effective Communication: Dale Carnegie Training emphasizes communication skills that are crucial for managing a team. Learning how to articulate goals, provide constructive feedback, and actively listen can foster a positive and open work environment.
- Building Relationships: The courses focus on building strong relationships, which are the foundation of any successful team. Understanding how to connect with team members on a personal level and cultivate a supportive atmosphere can significantly boost morale.
- Motivation and Engagement: Dale Carnegie Training provides strategies for motivating and engaging team members. From recognizing achievements to empowering individuals to take ownership of their work, these techniques can keep morale high and productivity soaring.
- Conflict Resolution: Managing conflicts is inevitable in any team setting. Dale Carnegie Training equips leaders with the skills to navigate conflicts constructively, fostering a culture of collaboration and respect.
In summary, investing in leadership training courses like Dale Carnegie can provide invaluable tools and strategies for effectively managing a team and maintaining high morale.
Contact Info:
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlospagan/
- Other: 352-448-7833