Live & Life in Palmas New October Edition 2021
our Young Professionals are back... to contribute to Puerto Rico By Alejandra Chamorro The number one question I received when I graduated college was, “What are you going to do now?” I always answered, “ I’m going back to Puerto Rico.” Unlike some of my classmates who stayed in the United States, I decided to come back home. The biggest reason was to be closer to my family. Although I don’t regret my decision, many people still ask me why. Why did I come back when I was “living the movie” in Miami? Statistically, there is higher number of people living the island than returning. According to an article in The Weekly Journal, 300,000 Puerto Ricans are projected to leave the island in the next two years. But what about the other side of the spectrum? Is there Puerto Ricans who came back? Will others return after COVID-19? I talked to five Palmeños, young professionals who say it’s worth it. ROGELIO FER- NANDEZ, a real estate agent at Reality Realty, believes there are many untapped opportunities in Puerto Rico. Rogelio was raised here in Palmas del Mar. He went to Palmas Academy until 10th grade and graduated from American Academy. When he turned 18, Roger decided to move to Miami. He ended up working for six years at Luxe Mode as a concierge for A-list clients. But everything changed, after spending a weekend in Puerto Rico. He took a drive and was shocked by all the abandoned properties. Roger felt the run-down houses had potential that was being wasted. “I had a new mission, to rehabilitate Puerto Rico,” said Fernandez. “I was always interested in real estate, so it felt like the right time.” He got his real estate license and got to work. During his first four months, Roger broke the record for the fastest deal closed at his company by selling a house in two days. Roger has also expanded his work all over the island: Palmas del Mar, Fajardo, San Juan, Isabela and Mayagüez. “My goal is to invest, rehabilitate the island, improve tourism and help the locals,” said Fernandez. Roger believes if you work hard, stay focused and bet on the wellness of Puerto Rico, anyone can create a successful life here. Another Palmas Academy student who found her way back to Puerto Rico is CRISTINA AN- GELIQUE COLÓN. You might know her from the restaurant Cafe de la Plaza. Cristina graduated from The Palmas Academy in 2005. She then studied at American University in Washington DC where she got a bachelors in communications and a minor in art studio. In 2009, she decided to move back to Puerto Rico. “ I love Puerto Rico,” said Colón. “ It doesn’t matter where I traveled to, Palmas del Mar is like home to me.” After moving back, she opened Cafe de la Plaza with her friend Jay. Cristina became the youngest restaurant owner in Palmas at age 21. But
her successful endeavors don’t stop there. In 2012, Cristina went to law school. She attended St. Thomas School of Law in Miami. Cristina ended up graduating Cum Laude and passed the Florida and Washington DC bar. She then returned a second time WILLIAM BURN FER- NANDEZ is another restaurant entrepreneur who gained success in Puerto Rico. William has a different story than Rogelio and Cristina. He lived in Guatemala, Mexico and Venezuela during his childhood. At around 14-years-old, his family returned to Puerto Rico. William graduated high school from Colegio Marista in Guaynabo. He went to college at the University of Puerto Rico and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. William then proceeded his studies with a Master in Finance from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico. He got into the industry at age 19, while still working on his degrees. William started at Señor Frogs where he eventually become general manager at age 22. William attributes his speedy success to Carlos Gonzalez, the owner of Señor Frogs. “I was blessed to have such a great mentor,” said Burn. By age 25, William was supervising various operations for the restaurant group in the Caribbean. The next step for William was to have his own restaurant. He ended up contacting to her home of Puerto Rico. Now she has her own consulting firm, Cinmarc & Associates, L.L.C. and runs Cafe de la Plaza. “Puerto Rico is a place for innovators,” said Colón. “ If you have a vision and you have imagination, the island is your oyster.” the now popular Distrito T-Mobile, and took on the role of creating a burger concept restaurant. Their initial vision for the restaurant is what made it a popular spot for locals and tourists “We’ve all seen the negative documentaries on burger fast food joints, on processed meats and such, said Burn. “ We wanted to design a burger concept that focuses in being transparent and detailed.” And at last, La Burgesia was made! But they had a few set backs before they could open the doors to the public. The pandemic pushed their opening date over a year. Although challenging, William and his team persevered and were able to make it possible. William agrees that even though it’s difficult, working in Puerto Rico can be the right decision. “There’s much to re-invent and innovate on the island,” said Burn. “There’s also the home court advantage concept. You know and understand the market, the competition and the areas of opportunity.” A member of William’s team who also sees Puerto Rico as a place of innovation is RAÚL COSCUL- LUELA. He was in charge of the branding and marketing of La Burguesia. For people who don’t know, Raúl went to high school here at The Palmas Academy. He then attended Marquette University. Raúl realized his passion for the creative side of business and transferred to The School of Visual Arts in New York City. After gaining work experience in the marketing field, he decided to move back to Puerto Rico during the pandemic. “Though the island can sometimes be a challenge, knowing you’re building something with roots is much more gratifying,” said Cosculluela. Raúl is co-founder of Culture Create, a creative studio where he designs experiences for brands, artists and musicians. Some of his recent visual collaboration include: Cangrejos de Santurce Basketball team, Arena Medalla, and Sunsets Hard Selterz. Raúl, like the others who came back, believe Puerto Rico has great opportunities if you look for them. “I see Puerto Rico in many ways, like a blank canvas with a lot of space for innovation that has a generation of young entrepreneurs hungry to achieve big things with the talent to back it up,” said Cosculluela. ➤
- Page 29 and 30: FREIRE
- Page 32 and 33: Professional Glasscleaners • Wind
- Page 34 and 35: the PRESIDENT SAYS! greetings! I wa
- Page 36 and 37: Do you need to meet your goal of 20
- Page 38 and 39: K I T C H E N S C L O S E T S B A T
- Page 40 and 41: space. I have made so many friends
- Page 42 and 43: Por su parte el arquitecto Carlos S
- Page 44 and 45: Exterior lights by IMPEC BRIZO SHOW
- Page 46 and 47: MEMBERSHIP ME LIFE YOUR W
- Page 48 and 49: Palmas Community Church... Celebrat
- Page 50 and 51: Weddings & Events The best venue fo
- Page 54 and 55: Lynnette Ad octubre 2021.indd 1 10/
- Page 56 and 57: TINTS for... • cars • boats •
- Page 58 and 59: Understanding the pickleball These
- Page 61 and 62: Bastille Day at Chez Daniel at the
- Page 63 and 64: AT ECONO HUMACAO!! Steve Santiago,
- Page 65: Breakfast @ the Palmas del Mar Wimb
- Page 69 and 70: OPEN NOW! palma real, Humacao Just
- Page 71: golf member & 2021Member The Palmas
- Page 82 and 83: salon • Specialists in color & co
- Page 84 and 85: ARTYPARTYPARTYPARTYPARTYPARTY MEMBE
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- Page 89 and 90: the golf car raffle goes to. . . Li
- Page 91 and 92: Luz Marina Fajardo80’s Luz was bo
- Page 93 and 94: Pintando por una CAUSA... P.E.C.E.S
- Page 95: editors LETTER At the closing of th
our Young<br />
Professionals<br />
are back...<br />
to contribute<br />
to Puerto Rico<br />
By Alejandra Chamorro<br />
The number one question I received when I graduated college<br />
was, “What are you go<strong>in</strong>g to do now?” I always answered, “ I’m<br />
go<strong>in</strong>g back to Puerto Rico.”<br />
Unlike some of my classmates who stayed <strong>in</strong> the United States, I<br />
decided to come back home. The biggest reason was to be closer<br />
to my family. Although I don’t regret my decision, many people<br />
still ask me why. Why did I come back when I was “liv<strong>in</strong>g the movie”<br />
<strong>in</strong> Miami?<br />
Statistically, there is higher number of people liv<strong>in</strong>g the island<br />
than return<strong>in</strong>g. Accord<strong>in</strong>g to an article <strong>in</strong> The Weekly Journal,<br />
300,000 Puerto Ricans are projected to leave the island <strong>in</strong> the next<br />
two years.<br />
But what about the other side of the spectrum? Is there Puerto<br />
Ricans who came back? Will others return after COVID-19?<br />
I talked to five<br />
Palmeños, young professionals<br />
who say it’s<br />
worth it.<br />
ROGELIO FER-<br />
NANDEZ, a real estate<br />
agent at Reality<br />
Realty, believes there<br />
are many untapped<br />
opportunities <strong>in</strong> Puerto<br />
Rico.<br />
Rogelio was raised<br />
here <strong>in</strong> <strong>Palmas</strong> del Mar. He went to<br />
<strong>Palmas</strong> Academy until 10th grade and<br />
graduated from American<br />
Academy. When he<br />
turned 18, Roger decided<br />
to move to Miami. He<br />
ended up work<strong>in</strong>g for<br />
six years at Luxe Mode<br />
as a concierge for A-list<br />
clients.<br />
But everyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
changed, after spend<strong>in</strong>g<br />
a weekend <strong>in</strong> Puerto<br />
Rico. He took a drive and<br />
was shocked by all the abandoned<br />
properties. Roger felt the run-down<br />
houses had potential that was be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
wasted.<br />
“I had a new mission, to rehabilitate<br />
Puerto Rico,” said Fernandez. “I<br />
was always <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> real estate,<br />
so it felt like the right time.”<br />
He got his real estate license and<br />
got to work. Dur<strong>in</strong>g his first four<br />
months, Roger broke the record for<br />
the fastest deal closed at his company<br />
by sell<strong>in</strong>g a house <strong>in</strong> two days.<br />
Roger has also expanded his work<br />
all over the island: <strong>Palmas</strong> del Mar,<br />
Fajardo, San Juan, Isabela and Mayagüez.<br />
“My goal is to <strong>in</strong>vest, rehabilitate<br />
the island, improve tourism and help<br />
the locals,” said Fernandez.<br />
Roger believes if you work hard,<br />
stay focused and bet on the wellness<br />
of Puerto Rico, anyone can create a<br />
successful life here.<br />
Another <strong>Palmas</strong> Academy<br />
student who found<br />
her way back to Puerto<br />
Rico is CRISTINA AN-<br />
GELIQUE COLÓN. You<br />
might know her from<br />
the restaurant Cafe de la<br />
Plaza.<br />
Crist<strong>in</strong>a graduated<br />
from The <strong>Palmas</strong> Academy<br />
<strong>in</strong> 2005. She then<br />
studied at American<br />
University <strong>in</strong> Wash<strong>in</strong>gton DC where<br />
she got a bachelors <strong>in</strong> communications<br />
and a m<strong>in</strong>or <strong>in</strong> art studio. In<br />
2009, she decided to move back to<br />
Puerto Rico.<br />
“ I love Puerto Rico,” said Colón. “<br />
It doesn’t matter where I traveled to,<br />
<strong>Palmas</strong> del Mar is like home to me.”<br />
After mov<strong>in</strong>g back, she opened<br />
Cafe de la Plaza with her friend Jay.<br />
Crist<strong>in</strong>a became the youngest restaurant<br />
owner <strong>in</strong> <strong>Palmas</strong> at age 21. But
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