From earning $12/hour working in a call centre and then consulting for a $100,000,000,000 telecommunications company when he was 25-years old to building a $15,000,000 hospitality company in Toronto in two years and then starting over again with the motivation to build a fast casual restaurant brand.
Keep reading below to learn the behind-the-scenes story of how Michel built his career.
Michel joins 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s corporate office as a call center agent earning $12/hour.
Discovers the power of company culture, customer experience and employee engagement as growth strategies.
Was promoted five times within five years while at 1-800-GOT-JUNK? His last role was within the customer experience operational team.
Falcon Consulting Group, is started from his parent’s dining room table. Michel helps companies with their customer experience and employee engagement strategies.
Verizon Wireless calls & hires Michel to help with their strategies.
Other recognizable clients like BlueCross BlueShield, Electronic Arts and, Alfa Romeo continue to contact Michel.
Michel moves to Toronto to start a hospitality business with his partners. In two short years, they grow the business to $15,000,00 with 150+ employees.
McDonald’s Canada selects Michel to be their National National Spokeperson for their Hiring Day Campaign.
Michel publishes his first book, People-First Culture: Build a Lasting Company By Shifting Your Focus From Profits to People.
Michel opens Brasa Peruvian Kitchen; a fast casual restaurant brand during the pandemic. The company opens three locations within the first 18 months.
Brasa Peruvian Kitchen opens their first USA based restaurant in New York City.
My upbringing was very humble. My father, mother, sister and I lived in a small duplex with one bathroom. I went to an elementary school where I was one of only a few people that had immigrant parents and I was definitely the only Peruvian. I’m ashamed to say that I was embarrassed to be Peruvian because I was bullied for a myriad of different reasons. Whether it was because of my different name or the food that I’d bring for lunch that looked and smelled different than the ham sandwiches others would have. Unbeknownst to me this would drive me to build a business 25 years later.
During my time with the company, I recognized that customer experience, employee engagement and company culture would grow to become my expertise. Back then, there weren’t as many people talking about these topics as they are now.
My upbringing was very humble. My father, mother, sister and I lived in a small duplex with one bathroom. I went to an elementary school where I was one of only a few people that had immigrant parents and I was definitely the only Peruvian. I’m ashamed to say that I was embarrassed to be Peruvian because I was bullied for a myriad of different reasons. Whether it was because of my different name or the food that I’d bring for lunch that looked and smelled different than the ham sandwiches others would have. Unbeknownst to me this would drive me to build a business 25 years later.
In only two years, we grew the company to $15,000,000+ in profitable revenue and 150+ employees. This was accomplished while also earning a Net Promoter Score in the 70-80’s range. We were even profiled in Food & Wine magazine because of the employee experience and company culture strategies I built. Building this business was very hard and something I’ll always remember.
This was cool because my first job when I was 13 years old was working at a McDonald’s in Vancouver.
I’ve traveled to countries like Canada, USA, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Israel, Lithuania and many others to speak at events and host book signings. Be sure to ask me what happened in Saudi Arabia; it was very embarrassing.
I’m now hired by companies to speak on this topic to share the lessons I’ve learned about growing a great career. I love speaking directly to individuals who are just starting their career and to first-time managers. I want to share a message that would have helped 21-year-old Michel so that I can pay it forward to other emerging leaders.
I’m now hired by companies to speak on this topic to share the lessons I’ve learned about growing a great career. I love speaking directly to individuals who are just starting their career and to first-time managers. I want to share a message that would have helped 21-year-old Michel so that I can pay it forward to other emerging leaders.
My career has seen many, “It’s working” and just as many “I don’t know if I’m cut out for this?” but one thing that remains consistent is that I will always be a student. I’m obsessive when it comes to my own learning and I do so by reaching out to others who are excelling in their own fields.
