Discover the inspiring story of the young man from Puebla who, at 21, has turned adversity into opportunity by founding Boosted Kings Lawncare Services LLC, setting the tone for Latino entrepreneurship in Wisconsin.
Madison.- Alan Gutierrez, a 21-year-old native of Puebla, arrived in the United States with his parents in pursuit of the American Dream. Like many who cross the “other side of the pond,” he had to struggle alongside his parents. He began making ends meet working long and exhausting shifts in restaurants.
Perhaps the experiences he had to go through demanded him to think in a mature and coherent manner, a quality that has led him to establish himself as one of the youngest entrepreneurs in Wisconsin. “I used to work in restaurants, but I noticed they were offering me a job and seeking employees. So, I asked myself, why can’t I be my own boss?” he asserts.
“I didn’t enjoy working in restaurants; it was too hot, and I didn’t like being indoors for so long. I said to myself, ‘I can create something for myself that benefits me and allows me to provide a social service.’ That filled me with excitement,” explained the Mexican entrepreneur.
And so began this beautiful dream called Boosted Kings Lawncare Services, a company that was born when Gutierrez was 18, thanks to his tenacity, effort, and the trust his parents placed in him.
Boosted Kings Lawncare Services is a company dedicated to the maintenance and cleaning of home exteriors according to specific needs. For instance, it offers lawn mowing options, rock installation, weed removal, autumn cleaning, tree and snow removal, plant care, among other essential property care services.
The work of Latinos in the United States has seen evident growth. According to the annual report on the State of Latino Entrepreneurship (SOLE) by the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative (SLEI) at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), Latino-owned businesses surpassed revenue and growth rates of other businesses in 2022.
Alan’s journey has been short, much like his age, yet he has already faced ups and downs that have tested his strength and perseverance to keep moving forward. “Many people don’t trust such a young person, but my work speaks for itself. A client knows me, refers me to another, and it’s all a process,” he explains.
Likewise, Alan sends a message to the entire Latino community, especially young people like him: don’t give up. The process is slow, and there are moments when it’s normal to feel frustrated, but the fruits will be seen later. He also assures that he didn’t have a specific advisor or mentor to start his business; instead, support in technology and platforms helped him broaden his perspective and ground it in reality.
“Social media is a bit addictive, but I believe it’s better to be addicted to something that benefits us and use it to create something. This can help our generation and the ones to come,” he states.
Times have changed, and the new generations have been examples of progress through the use of new digital tools that aid in learning and creating innovative ideas that drive development. Alan has embraced all the riches of technology to train, inspire, and embark on this adventure of being a Latino entrepreneur in the United States.
It’s a challenge that isn’t easy, especially for a 21-year-old who has had to juggle academic responsibilities while dedicating physical and mental hours to his work, which has become his life itself.
Alan admits that he was very afraid. “I started the business with $15,000. I had to do the physical work but also the administrative work. I couldn’t sleep. The beginning is the most difficult time, but when you finally manage to balance your life, everything starts flowing,” he points out.
Moreover, amidst all the hurdles a person faces when starting a business, there are permits and
licenses to deal with. However, this young man indicates that everyone, without exception, receives support from the Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce.
“They explained it to me, helped me, and told me what I had to do. You need to register first and comply with a series of requirements. This was also one of the challenges I had to overcome, but the Chamber helped me overcome this challenge,” he stresses.
At 21, Alan has sacrificed parties, love affairs, and the folklore that characterizes Latin Americans to pursue his dream of consolidating this great company, doubling his employees, and achieving recognition in the state as one of the companies that provide this assistance with higher quality.
The popular saying goes well that those who don’t make mistakes are those who don’t do anything, and this curious young man works from sunrise to sunset to achieve it. Despite his effort and dedication, he has made mistakes that have marked him significantly.
“One of the experiences that taught me the most was when I started installing rocks. I thought I had priced it well, but when I calculated it, I charged too cheaply. The material cost more than I thought, and the profits weren’t visible. I ended up losing, but I learned from it,” the young Alan recounts.
Through trial and error, he has learned what to do and what not to do when facing a business. He shares that his biggest mistake was not doing the calculations beforehand and charging a cheaper price for a job that would demand time and resources. Thus, he had to take measures, perform the work of several employees to optimize resources, not earning enough, but also not losing everything.
All this journey has taught this Latin American to be more perseverant, not to give up, and to keep dreaming. It’s worth noting that he has had the support of his parents, but undoubtedly, his effort, discipline, and dedication are leading him towards success.
Likewise, Madison Vibra invites young people like Alan to take risks and execute the idea they have in mind. There are programs like Ceos of Tomorrow that provide support through courses and workshops that allow entrepreneurial proposals to be grounded.
“The workshops are also designed to strengthen critical thinking, leadership skills, self-responsibility, confidence, and problem-solving skills, all traits that can be transferred to success both in school and beyond. Their mission is to help young people harness their ideas and passions within businesses that benefit their communities,” they explain on their website http://ceosoftomorrow.com/
Holding onto God’s hand, with the effort of his family, and faithfully attending mass on Sundays, Alan says he will continue to fight to position his company and provide employment. Additionally, he plans to offer a discount package next year, “in 2024 when people sign up with us, we will offer two free lawn cuts, and for each referral, a free lawn cut as well. This also applies during snow removal times.”
The Hispanic community is characterized by its resilience and endurance, and Alan is one of them, with an additional trait, his youthful yet mature soul. If you want to contact this successful Latino and hire one of his services, please call 608-609-3188 or visit the website https://boostedkings.com/. There, you will receive personalized attention and give a young person who thinks about the community an opportunity to provide employment in the future.