At El Bastion Cigars LLC, I lead the strategic direction, daily operations, and growth of a company dedicated to the distribution and wholesale of premium cigars. As a co-founder, I am responsible for overseeing our product line, including our own El Bastion Panetela cigar, crafted with expertise and passion. In addition, we distribute high-quality cigars from Finca Neo Jibairo in Puerto Rico, and I am spearheading our expansion to become the first distributor of Puerto Rican cigars in the United States.Our company holds essential licenses to operate in multiple jurisdictions: a federal importer license, a cigar wholesaler license in Florida, a tobacco products distributor license in Tennessee, and both wholesale and retail tobacco licenses in Puerto Rico. My role encompasses day-to-day bookkeeping, accounting, and compliance management, ensuring that all aspects of our operations meet rigorous standards.I am committed to building strong relationships with retailers, enhancing our brand presence, and driving sustainable growth. My work at El Bastion Cigars LLC is focused on delivering exceptional quality to our clients and contributing to the legacy of Puerto Rican cigar craftsmanship on an international stage.

As the co-founder and CEO of West Side Destination LLC, I navigated the company from its foundation through unprecedented challenges, including Hurricane Maria and the COVID-19 pandemic. These events tested our resilience and adaptability, underlining our commitment to excellence and innovation in Puerto Rico's travel and tourism industry. My role encompassed a broad range of responsibilities, from strategic oversight to hands-on management in various aspects of the business:•Leadership: Spearheaded strategic initiatives that not only steered the company through the devastating impacts of Hurricane Maria and the COVID-19 pandemic but also set the stage for recovery and growth, highlighting our adaptability and resilience.•Strategic Growth: Achieved a remarkable 35% increase in sales through targeted branding campaigns and strategic partnerships, demonstrating our ability to thrive in a competitive market.•Financial Acumen: Improved our gross margin from 15% to 45%, showcasing strong financial oversight and the ability to maximize resources efficiently, even in times of crisis.•Digital Marketing: Developed a cost-effective Google Ads campaign that significantly boosted our sales, proving the effectiveness of innovative marketing strategies in driving business growth.•Team Development: Cultivated a culture of innovation, excellence, and continuous learning among our team, empowering them to contribute actively to our vision and success.•Partnership Building: Forged and maintained strategic partnerships with over 10 providers and third-party sales channels, enhancing our service offerings and reinforcing our market position during challenging times.Leading West Side Destination through such tumultuous periods has reinforced the importance of visionary leadership, strategic agility, and a customer-centric approach. I am committed to advancing our mission to deliver exceptional experiences, leveraging challenges as opportunities for innovation and growth.

Parallel to my entrepreneurial journey as CEO of West Side Destination LLC, I embraced the role of Receptionist at Thomas J Henry Law PLLC, where I further honed my customer service and administrative skills in a fast-paced legal environment. This position allowed me to demonstrate my adaptability and commitment to excellence across diverse settings. Key contributions and learnings include:• High-Volume Communication: Skillfully managed and navigated over 70 daily inquiries via calls and emails, ensuring efficient and professional first-point contact for the firm, which enhanced client satisfaction and operational workflow.• Performance Excellence: Recognized for outstanding performance through consistent inclusion in the 'Warriors List', placing me among the top 10% of achievers for exceptional service delivery and dedication.• Operational Support: Contributed to the firm’s efficiency by maintaining a well-organized reception area, adhering to security protocols, and assisting in various administrative projects, underscoring my ability to balance multiple responsibilities.• Collaborative Teamwork: Acted as a vital link between clients and legal staff, fostering a culture of teamwork and communication that supported the firm’s objectives and client service goals.This role underscored my ability to navigate different sectors with ease, showcasing my strong interpersonal skills, dedication to exceptional service, and a proactive approach to workplace challenges.

Parallel to leading West Side Destination LLC as its CEO, I embraced the opportunity to further diversify my skill set and understand the intricacies of legal administration by taking on the role of Administrative Assistant. This experience allowed me to showcase my adaptability, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to operational excellence in a different professional landscape. Key contributions include:• Multitasking and Efficiency: Efficiently balanced a demanding schedule between my duties as CEO and administrative responsibilities, enhancing my time management and prioritization skills, which were critical in maintaining high standards of performance in both roles.• Legal Document Management: Spearheaded the organization and preparation of crucial legal documents, contributing to the streamlined operation of legal proceedings and supporting the firm’s success.• Financial Administration: Played a pivotal role in the billing process, demonstrating proficiency in creating invoices and managing accounts, which underscored my ability to adapt quickly to specialized software and financial protocols.• Operational Improvement: Implemented organizational strategies that significantly improved office efficiency and document management, showcasing my initiative and ability to contribute valuable improvements in a fast-paced environment.• Collaborative Excellence: Fostered effective communication channels between attorneys, clients, and court personnel, ensuring seamless operations and reinforcing my reputation as a reliable and proactive team member.Juggling these concurrent roles reinforced my capacity for leadership, adaptability, and efficiency across diverse operational environments, underscoring my commitment to professional growth and excellence.

In the months preceding the founding of West Side Destination LLC, my role as a Loan Support Specialist at Sunwest Mortgage Company Inc. played a pivotal role in shaping my understanding of operational efficiency, precision, and client service. This brief yet impactful experience laid the foundational skills crucial for my entrepreneurial journey. Key contributions included:• Detail-Oriented Verification: Ensured the accuracy of critical client information and financial documentation, highlighting the importance of meticulous attention to detail—a principle I later applied to my business.• Process Improvement Initiatives: Identified opportunities to streamline loan processing, contributing to enhanced operational efficiency, a practice I carried forward into my own company.• Team Collaboration: Collaborated effectively with a diverse team of loan officers and underwriters, reinforcing my belief in the power of teamwork and shared goals.• Customer Service: Prioritized and delivered exemplary service to loan applicants, a precursor to the customer-centric approach that became a core value of West Side Destination LLC.This formative period at Sunwest Mortgage Company Inc., although brief, was rich with learning experiences that informed my later success as an entrepreneur, underscoring the significance of every step in my career journey.

In a dynamic role that showcased my rapid career progression and adaptability, I honed key skills vital for business consulting and management, including:• Strategic Adaptability: Seamlessly transitioned from a wheelchair assistant to a pivotal customer service role, culminating in my selection as the primary representative for the LIAT account—a testament to my work ethic and pursuit of excellence.• Service Optimization: Elevated the customer service paradigm, significantly enhancing passenger satisfaction through meticulous management of check-ins and adept handling of inquiries, leveraging interpersonal skills to forge lasting customer relationships.• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Spearheaded coordination efforts with Customs, security, and airport operational teams, ensuring integrated processes and adherence to the highest standards of safety and efficiency.• Account Leadership: Entrusted with comprehensive management of the LIAT account, including passenger check-ins, flight adjustments, and ticketing operations, reflecting my reliability and capacity to manage high-stakes responsibilities.• Regulatory Compliance and Safety: Served as the critical liaison for ensuring passenger compliance with airport security protocols, facilitating seamless travel experiences while upholding strict safety standards.• Analytical Problem-Solving: Demonstrated exceptional problem-solving abilities in resolving complex passenger issues, from ticket discrepancies to urgent travel adjustments, maintaining professionalism under pressure.

In a self-started venture, I seamlessly blended roles as a Professional Chauffeur and Business Operator, mastering client-centric services and operational excellence. This experience was instrumental in developing the robust business acumen and client engagement strategies foundational to business consulting and management.• Optimized Client Services: Delivered personalized, punctual transportation solutions, achieving a standout client satisfaction rate by anticipating needs and navigating complexities with ease.• Enhanced Cultural Tours: Distinctively blended cultural insights with premium transportation services, enriching clients’ experiences and underscoring the value of tailored service offerings.• Operational Efficiency: Spearheaded vehicle maintenance and scheduling logistics, ensuring operational excellence and setting a benchmark for quality and reliability.• Strategic Business Management: Demonstrated entrepreneurial finesse by balancing direct client service with effective business operations, including financial management and strategic growth initiatives.This initiative not only underscored my entrepreneurial spirit but also solidified my foundational skills in strategic planning, client relations, and operational management, pivotal for a career in business consulting and management.