We recently connected with Sam Centellas and have shared our conversation below.
Sam, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Talk to us about building a team – did you hire quickly, how’d you recruit the first few team members? Any interesting lessons?
As I was growing a team, I learned the most important thing to look for in an employee or team member is their ability to be flexible and work hard. You can teach skills and specific tasks, but you can’t teach dedication and determination to get something done as a team. Then it is important that you show appreciation for all work, high skilled or other, because normally I see in teams people recognize those who use a scalpel, but not those who use a sledge hammer, and both are often needed to get the job done, so thank them both.
How do I find those people? Through referrals, through networks, through asking friends or friends for recommendations. I rather read someone in an interview than try to guess based on their resume. I rather call a friend for a review than read about an applicants degrees and certifications. I ask questions about grit and determination not about what specific skills they bring to the job.
Sam, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Sam was born in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and came to the United States in first grade. He grew up in Michigan, loves cars, and is an engineer by trade, an administrator by training, and an educator at heart. Advocacy is a core part of Sam’s life, as he has worked for non-profits his entire career, ranging from roles in higher education and community centers to serving on boards.
Sam’s day job is as the Executive Director of CDFI Friendly South Bend, a financial justice-focused non-profit serving northern Indiana. Founded in 2020, CDFI Friendly South Bend works to bring flexible CDFI capital to local community needs, with a strong focus on supporting minority- and women-owned businesses and affordable housing developers. In the past two years, Sam has helped small businesses connect to over $20,000,000 in financing.
Sam started his community advocacy work by founding events like Westside Wednesday in South Bend, which empowers immigrant-owned businesses. Mayor Pete Buttigieg appointed him to the Diversity and Utilization Board to support the growth of minority-owned businesses in South Bend, IN. As a Housing Authority Commissioner, Board Chair of the South Bend Empowerment Zone, and Executive Director of La Casa de Amistad, Sam learned more about building and developing community.
Sam is also a host of the WNIT/PBS show Education Counts and loves public speaking. During his 10+ year career leading non-profits, he has developed essential fundraising skills and coaches others on developing funds that impact communities.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I have changed careers a few times, I started my professional life as an automotive design engineer, then become a higher education administrator, and now have been in the nonprofit industry for over ten years. I always tell people, when others ask, “where do you see yourself in five years?”, my response is somewhere that I am happy and doing work I enjoy. I look for work opportunities that interest me, that challenge me, and use my skill set in a way to create positive change.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Be present, be responsive, be consistent, and be credible.
Present: I am there, I speak up, and I am where I am supposed to be whether I am tired or not. I think showing up is very important, speaking up about what matters is critical, and not being a wall flower but being part of pushing for whatever is next.
Responsive: I answer emails quickly, and I make appointments and keep them. I think people under estimate the power of replying quickly, and more underestimate the power of giving your opinion.
Consistent: this is hard as I am building a new company right now, but being consistent in what you say, how you say it, and when/why you say it is important. Always share why you do things, not just how.
Credible: Do what you said you will do, everyday. Do everything with all your skills and don’t slack, I do procrastinate, but I don’t cut corners. Work hard where it matters and give it your all, ignore all the fluff and distractions.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @SamSpeakerGuy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cruceno21
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samspeakerguy/
