Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaias J Rivera.

It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?

Thanks for having me. I was born in Ecuador and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey. I learned early on that the most meaningful way to live your life is not so much on me being the focus but rather you being the focus. When you begin to live life adding value to others, you begin to have a sense of joy that brings new meaning to your life and purpose. After College, I have dedicated (and still do) myself to public service because I feel it is one of the most effective way to serve others. I went back to hometown to empower my community. As a devoted member of my church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I’ve come to make my decision based on Christian values. I volunteer my time with nonprofits, engage in community boards and committees, and provide service to my church. During the day I work at Union County College overseeing a Workforce Development by Union County. This has given me the opportunity to work one on one with many residents who are unemployed and trying to get back into the workforce. As I work with residents, I’ve been able to partner with over 500+ local businesses with staffing solutions. I am happy to say that my team and I have been able to place over 5,000+ residents during my tenure in this program. It has given us the mission to really combat against Unemployment. This now leads me to a new chapter in my career.

I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?

Coming from an immigrant family with English as my second language, I can never forget how I started and the many barriers I’ve had to overcome from culture & language to economic and educational difference. I do not wish to indulge in the negative, but rather in the positive. My family moved here to the land of opportunity so that we can have a better future. I am the first in my family generation to have a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Working with local small businesses, I’ve come to understand that they are the main employers hiring and perhaps the backbone of this country when it comes to workforce labor. As a business owner myself, I know the difficulty and challenges it is to run your own business. However, it is also rich and rewarding and provides the most influence for people at the grassroot level. As a father, husband, full time employee, running two side businesses, launching a new startup company, volunteering in my community, and engaged in my church ministering/calling, I’ve learned anything is possible in the strength of the Lord. As I reflect in my experiences coupled with the need to take more action, this is why I’m here now with you in this interview to build my platform as an inspirational keynote speaker and share my message to combat against unemployment, to make turnover in companies obsolete, retain good employees, created a positive corporate culture and more importantly to add value to people.

Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?

I share with business how they can retain their employees, eliminate their turnover, and change their workplace culture to a positive environment conducive to growth. I have the advantage and keen perspective to hear firsthand from current unemployed residents on why they left their company. Have you ever wondered what is the number one reason an employee leaves a company? I’ll give you a hint, it’s not the pay, believe it or not. I hear firsthand from residents on what they wish their former employer would have done to change things around. It’s sad to hear many residents tell me that they would rather be unemployed than ever work for that company again. I know the current trends of voluntary turnover, in spite of Covid-19, and know what it takes for companies to have their employees shift from workforce compliance to workforce commitment. What separates me from other speakers is not just my background and experience in both business and government, but also my approach as an interactive speaker. Audience members want to learn, improve, and not want to sit down over a boring lecture. Audience members want to be taken into a journey, see live visuals or examples, and more importantly be “inspired” to take action for a long time and not merely “motivated” for a brief moment. Currently, the work I do is most virtual due to the pandemic. However, I am open to live presentation if it’s done locally in NJ and with safe guidelines/protocols in place.

What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?

Your personal success is determined by your daily habits. Are you looking for ways to grow, learn, and improve or are you coasting through life and taking the path of least resistance? The reality is most people want change; however, no one really likes to change. In fact, it’s hard to change when you have a sense of security. This leads to people being comfortable. A good friend of mine once told me, “Isaias the comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows from there.” For those readers looking to find success in their life, it is important to understand that the only time you are ever growing and pursuing your goal is when you are uncomfortable. Life is about overcoming challenges and not just simply avoiding them. Get uncomfortable, try new things, continue to evolve, surround yourself with likeminded people, and have that whatever it takes attitude to pursue your goals and dreams. What I would like people to know is that you are valuable. That you are important. And that you can accomplish great things.

Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?

I believe success is something you attract by the person you become. The more you put value to yourself the more valuable you become. This personal development is intentional and takes daily small consistent action over a long period of time. Let me ask you, have you ever heard of an “overnight success”? Of course, you have, “overnight success” takes over a course of many months and years. There is this Picasso story where a woman sees Picasso and goes up to him and asks him to draw him a sketch. He said sure, give me a portrait. He did a sketching of her in 30 seconds, he then says that would be $30,000. She said, but Picasso how could you charge $30,000 for something you drew in 30 seconds? He says, it took me 30 years to learn to do that sketch in 30 seconds. Put value in yourself, and you become valuable.

What’s next for you?

I’m only just getting started. Outside of my work in the Community and through my speaking/training business engagements, I also wish to open a Soccer recreational Center here in Union County. As founder of the Urban Futbol Matrix, this has actually been a goal my business partners and I for a while now. Furthermore, as a fan, coach, player for this wonderful sport we call “futbol” (soccer), we look forward to opening an all year-round soccer center now that we have a vaccine and Covid-19 cases are dropping in New Jersey. We plan to open a family friendly Sports Complex designed to promote fun and recreational activities primarily through soccer. It will offer recreational and competitive soccer leagues, tournaments, instructional courses, and youth camps. After we open a center, I will then continue to find ways to grow, improve, and evolve because that is what life is about. In fact, a mentor of mine once told me ” Isaias, if you’re not learning, you are not growing, and if you are not growing, then sadly your dying.” That is why I do my best to constantly put myself in an environment that is challenging me but more importantly continue to add value to others.

Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more.

People can find and learn more about me on my website www.isaiasjrivera.com also through my social networks on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Thank you very much for the interview.