J&C CRAFTS - INTERVIEW WITH JUAN CARLOS SANCHEZ

J&C CRAFTS - INTERVIEW WITH JUAN CARLOS SANCHEZ

It's never too late to embark on an entrepreneurial journey, regardless of age, experience, or immigration status. Juan Carlos Sanchez once managed a restaurant in Mexico City, where he led a comfortable life. He shouldered the responsibility of providing for his family from a young age, stepping into the role of head of the household at just nine years old. Working alongside adults significantly older than him, Juan matured faster than his peers, often finding himself the youngest member in both professional and social circles he joined. 

“He shouldered the responsibility of providing for his family from a young age, stepping into the role of head of the household at just nine years old.”

"I was only 20-21 years old when I took on my first role as a restaurant manager. The working culture in Mexico is deeply hierarchical; my responsibilities often confined me to the office, where I handled calculations and managed the business operations rather than being on the restaurant floor."

Despite facing numerous challenges and encountering unsavory groups in Mexico, Juan Carlos made the difficult decision to leave his home in Mexico City, seeking to rebuild his life to improve his well-being.

"I ended up in San José because my sister lived here. Upon arrival, I quickly realized that the biggest challenge I would face was the language barrier. It's hard to describe the frustration of wanting to buy something in a store but being unable to communicate with the seller."

Reflecting on those early years of immigration, Juan Carlos softly recalled the various paths he took to assimilate into the culture. Due to having to work full-time during his childhood, he couldn't complete his secondary education. However, he dedicated himself to improving his English comprehension and communication skills. Eventually, Juan Carlos successfully obtained his GED and enrolled in a local community college to pursue a degree in Hospitality.

While Juan Carlos had spent most of his life working in the restaurant business, he noticed a promising opportunity emerge. It all began with his curiosity about the ceramic sellers on the street corners near his home. Accompanied by his sister, they explored a variety of artisanal pottery sourced from Guanajuato. As their curiosity was satisfied, another idea sparked in Juan Carlos' mind—one that involved partnering with the sellers and maintaining a steady, mutually beneficial relationship for his vision to flourish.

“However, he dedicated himself to improving his English comprehension and communication skills. Eventually, Juan Carlos successfully obtained his GED and enrolled in a local community college to pursue a degree in Hospitality.”

Juan Carlos presented his proposal to the vendors. They agreed to supply him with artisanal goods whenever they could venture into the United States, and Juan Carlos would purchase enough to make their trips worthwhile. However, the plan had its challenges, especially in the first year. Building trust with the vendor's family, establishing a workable routine, and eventually meeting the vendors halfway in San Antonio, Texas, were just some of the hurdles. Juan Carlos even had to endure a drive of over 25 hours to secure the goods needed for his shop.

"They'll cover any tears or breaks that occur during the journey to San Antonio, but any damage that happens after I receive the goods comes straight out of my pocket," Juan Carlos explained. His shop, J&C Handcrafted Planters & More, occupied a separate room within a shared business space on Alum Rock Avenue. Customers could quickly grab a famous Burnt Almond Cake from Peter's Bakery and then stroll to J&C to purchase artisanal planters or authentic cafecito cups for a beautiful gift bundle.

"It's challenging to uncover potential opportunities here without English proficiency. My initial goal was to improve my English," Juan Carlos chuckled, acknowledging that his English wasn't perfect but had significantly improved over the past decade of living in San José. "The Alum Rock Village Action Committee has been instrumental in keeping local businesses engaged and informed about available support. We face numerous challenges, including vandalism and homelessness. Some businesses here experience frequent window breakages, but many hesitate to report the damage to their insurance due to fears of premium hikes."

Despite efforts by the city to clear the homeless population from the lot behind Dulceria Chispita and Carnitas El Rincón, many individuals returned within less than a day, leaving local business owners unsettled. During meetings of the Alum Rock Village Action Committee and Alum Rock Business Association, these business owners often express their discomfort with the presence of the homeless population and collaborate on finding solutions. In the meantime, businesses along Alum Rock Avenue gather periodically to clean up the street, striving to maintain a more appealing appearance; it's a temporary measure until permanent solutions are implemented.

"We have James Lick High School adjacent to our street, and I worry about what the students are exposed to on their way to school. Their focus should be on education, not their safety."

J&C recently celebrated its third anniversary in business with an expanding inventory and increasing demand for authentic, ethically sourced artisanal planters. Supporting small, local businesses like ours contributes to the vibrancy of areas like Alum Rock. Visit J&C Handcrafted Planters & More today to bring a touch of Mexico into your home.

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