Entrepreneur Profile

Outfitting the Pros: Juan Lindo

Entrepreneur Profile

AnewAmerica Entrepreneur Receives NOVA Grant Award from the City of Sunnyvale


“I am an artist; I am a creator ..I always dreamed of becoming a fashion designer and having my own storefront and my own brand name.” says Juan Lindo the owner and designer of Zooni Leathers.   Zooni specializes in designing custom leather motorcycle suits for recreational motorcyclists and professional racers.

Since Juan graduated from high school in his home country of Colombia, he has channeled his creative energy into being an entrepreneur.  He always had an appreciation for working with leather, and when he realize that there was nowhere to buy a Colombian made casual, informal leather jacket in Bogotá, he opened a shop where he made and sold custom-designed formal and casual leather jackets.

In the late 1970s, Juan moved to the U.S. to expand his business. However, he confronted major linguistic, cultural, and political barriers. Instead, he pursued a degree in fashion design, and worked for a leather jacket shop in Palo Alto, where he gained experience designing custom leather motorcycle suits.

Eventually, Juan broke out on his own to launch Zooni Leathers.  He states, “I could make the best leather suits there were. I was a great designer but  not a sales person; nor was I marketing savvy.”  During the economic downturn in 2008, Juan recognized that this missing knowledge was threatening the survival of his business. He states, “Because my product is custom-made, it’s considered a luxury item, and these were the first things consumers cut from their budgets.”

Juan turned to AnewAmerica for the educated he needed to enable his business to survive this tricky market.  Juan states, “AnewAmerica taught me how to write a professional business plan. They have taught me about marketing and advertising, and how to use social media to market my business through classes at their computer lab.”

Recently, Juan was the recipient of a NOVA Microenterprise Assistance Program grant, which enabled him to establish a storefront in Sunnyvale.  Juan also received an AnewAmerica Business Grant, made possible by the support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Job Opportunities for Individuals, program designed to expand businesses and create jobs. Juan used these resources to help him to renovate his storefront, obtain inventory and produce marketing materials.

Juan’s business supports himself, his mother in Colombia and his business employs two people. He states, “My business has given me the opportunity to pay for my children’s education. They are all college graduates and hold important positions in Colombia and the US.”  Juan’s business is also an AnewAmerica Certified Green. Juan is selective about the materials he uses in his designs: he only uses leather that is processed with plant-based materials (vegetable-tanned) and that is recycled from the meat industry.  He also uses the success of his business to give back to the community.  As part of his social responsibility, Juan offered free ESL classes to clients in AnewAmerica in San Jose. He states, “I know from experience that learning English is the biggest challenge for immigrants to integrate themselves within American society.”

Juan’s suits were awarded “five stars” by Cycle World Magazine, and he has the strong support of elite professional motorcycle racers.  To see Juan’s remarkable designs, visit Zooni Leathers at 905 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA, 94087. Or, visit her website at  www.zoonileathers.com.

 

Entrepreneur Profile: Fernando Alvarado

Entrepreneur Profile

Building Green

Fernando Alvarado: AnewAmerica Class of 2010


A Colombia native, Fernando Alvarado immigrated to California in 2000 with his family in search of a new home and a more prosperous livelihood. In his home country, Fernando received a degree in Civil Engineering and worked for the government, but felt unsafe in the politically unstable situation of Colombia. When Fernando arrived in U.S., he knew he wanted to put his education and experience to use in the field of construction.

Fernando started his career in the U.S. by getting contract work with other construction companies, which provided him with great experience with U.S. construction businesses, but was not always reliable and did not give him with the flexibility and independence he desired. In 2006, Fernando began thinking about starting his own business in order to achieve his personal and professional goals, but was unsure of where to start. “Starting a new business is difficult; especially when you are unsure of the state and federal laws you need to follow. It also takes a lot of start up money, which I did not have,” Fernando explains. Two and a half years after his initial thoughts of creating his own business, Fernando excitedly found AnewAmerica and knew this was his opportunity to get started. In 2009, he enrolled in AnewAmerica’s Assets for New Americans: Virtual Business Incubator program and completed the twenty-five week certificate in Business Planning. Fernando describes his experience, “AnewAmerica offered me everything I needed to start my own business. They helped me to understand the laws for starting a new business and provided me with the initial financial support I needed. This has really helped my business to grow and will continue to support it into the future. I would not have been able to do this without AnewAmerica.”

Fernando has now operated his construction business, Alvarado Constructions, for almost three years. His business is an AnewAmerica Certified Green Business, as he is taking steps to ensure his construction operations are environmentally-friendly. When discussing some of the challenges around creating a new business, Fernando states, “It is difficult to get started, as you need people to know about you, to help build a positive reputation in the community. This takes time, and has to be done step by step to make sure your business grows sustainably. AnewAmerica has helped me with these challenges by setting up several events each year that my company participates in. This helps new customers learn about my work and allows my business’ name to grow. AnewAmerica has also hired me for projects. I have put in hardwood floors and have built cabinets and tables for them. In this way, others can see the quality of my work.”

Fernando still has many hopes and dreams for the future, and AnewAmerica continues to support him in this process. AnewAmerica’s Business Planning program helped Fernando to outline his future goals in a ten year business plan and to create new marketing strategies to expand his clientele. Fernando hopes for his business to continue to grow, to become a model for green construction, and to someday construct a home for his family. Fernando’s vision for the future of Alvarado Constructions is to help revitalize communities by renovating old and dilapidated buildings so they can be made livable and a source of pride in the community.

With the financial support and training Fernando received from AnewAmerica, he is now in the position to support other immigrants in his community who want to start new construction businesses. At his church, Fernando is now leading a Sunday school class to help others study for the construction certification exam. Fernando feels this is an important part of owning a local business and explains, “These people are in the same position I was three years ago, and I am now in the position to help them. I want to help provide them with the same opportunities I had to start my own business and to achieve my dreams.”

Alvarado Constructions works throughout the Bay Area on a variety of construction and renovation projects. Click here to visit their website. You can contact Fernando Alvarado by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone: (510) 467-3634 to learn more about his green construction projects.

*Story by Alison Fischman

*Photo courtesy of Anne Hamersky

 

 

 

Entrepreneur Profile: Penny Baldado

Entrepreneur Profile

Penny Baldado: Opening Her Dream Green Café

AnewAmerica Class of 2009

Penny Baldado

Penny Baldado moved to the U.S. from the Philippines in 1999, to reunite with her father who had been living in the states for many years.  She viewed the move as a way to expand her opportunities.  However, Penny found the transition to life in America difficult, and she felt powerless after leaving her support system in the Philippines.  Eventually, she found a job bussing and waiting tables at a Filipino restaurant.  Then, she took the opportunity to work in the kitchen as a sous-chef.  Gradually, she gained a grasp of cooking and working in the kitchen.  Before long, she was promoted to Head Chef.

Read more: Entrepreneur Profile: Penny Baldado