RICHARD SANCHEZ; 2023 Top Lideres Awards: SW Florida

What is your Hispanic Heritage? CUBAN /PR

What area of Florida do you live in? FORT MYERS

What is your profession?
BUSINESS OWNER/OPERATOR

Latin Times Magazine: Tell us about what you do for a living and how you got into it
I OWN AND OPERATE A FAMILY RUN, INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY SUPERMARKET. I’VE BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY MY WHOLE WORKING LIFE AND I LED THE GROWTH OF THE BRAVO GROUP I FLORIDA BEFORE GOING INTO MY OWN VENTURES.

Latin Times Magazine: In your industry, what would you say separates you from your competition
SERVICE AND QUALITY. OUR STAFF CARES AND IS PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE TREAT OUR STAFF AS WE WANT THEM TO TREAT OUR CUSTOMERS.

Latin Times Magazine:  Why do you feel you were nominated
SUPPORTING LOCAL EVENTS, GIVEAWAYS, CHURCHES, AND SCHOOLS. WE STRIVE TO BE THE HEARTBEAT OF THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY IN FORT MYERS.

Latin Times Magazine:  During Covid-19, tell us about your Biggest Challenge/obstacle and how you overcame it/or are overcoming it
WE ARE VERY PROUD OF OUR RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC. WE HAD PROTECTIVE MEASURES, IN PLACE, TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR CUSTOMERS AND STAFF BEFORE MOST OTHER RETAILERS. WE STAYED OPEN AND OFFERED A SAFER FOOD OPERATION. WE SOURCED PRODUCTS FROM ALTERNATIVE SOURCES TO KEEP OUR SHELVES FULL. WE ALSO MAINTAINED AN INTENSE SANITITATION PROGRAM.

Latin Times Magazine: Tell us about your biggest achievement, and how you achieved it
WHEN WE SET OUT IN THIS VENTURE WE WANTED TO BRING BACK THE OLD NEIGHBORHOOD STORE CONCEPT AND BECOME PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A LOVE FOR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY. WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THIS GOAL. I PERSONALLY HAVE ACHIEVED MY DREAM AS A BUSINESS OWNER.

Latin Times Magazine:  What is next for you? What can people expect to see from you?
WE BELIEVE IN CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT. WE WILL ALWAYS STRIVE TO IMPROVE OUR OPERATIONS AND PRODUCT VARIETY. THE BRAVO EXPERIENCE IS ALIVE AND WELL, AND WE WILL CONTINUOUSLY INTRODUCE NEW IDEAS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE WILL ALSO LOOK INTO BRINGING THE EXPERIENCE TO OTHER COMMUNITIES, BUT WE WILL NEVER LOSE FOCUS IN OUR EXISTING STORES.

Latin Times Magazine:  What does being a U.S. Citizen mean to you?
AS THE FIRST FAMILY MEMBER BORN IN THIS COUNTRY, I WAS TAUGHT TO TAKE PRIDE IN BEING A HISPANIC AMERICAN, AND TEACH PEOPLE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE SUCCESSFUL. TO RESPECT THE OPPORTUNITIES THIS COUNTRY CAN AFFORD US AND TO WORK HARD TO CAPTURE THESE OPPORTUNITIES.

Latin Times Magazine:  What is your opinion of the state of affairs in our nation? And what role do you see Hispanics/Latinos playing in the future of our nation.
AY YA YAY! AS A NATURALIZED HISPANIC AMERICAN, I AM QUITE SAD OF THE STATE OF OUR NATION. WE ARE GOING IN REVERSE, AND WE HAVE TO FIGHT TO GET BACK TO “NORMALCY.” WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS BY INFORMING OURSELVES AND VOTING FOR WHOEVER HAS SIMILAR VALUES AS OURSELVES. AS OUR YOUNGER GENERATIONS BECOME MORE AMERICANIZED, WE HAVE TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION AND EDUCATION. THIS WILL MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES STRONGER.

Latin Times Magazine: What is the best lesson that you have learned in leadership and how has it helped your career?
AS A FORMER ATHLETE, COACH, AND INSTRUCTOR, THERE IS NOTHING MORE SATISFYING THAN USING YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCES, IN DEVELOPING A TEAM. GUIDING THE TEAM IN THEIR PROGRESSION AND HELPING THEM BECOME SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR CAREERS AND PERSONAL LIVES. WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF BEING ABLE TO OFFER A BETTER LIFE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

Latin Times Magazine:  Is there anything I didn’t ask that you would like to share?
IN THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY WE ARE FACING SOME NEW CHALLENGES. WE HAVE TO INFORM OURSELVES, USE COMMON SENSE, AND MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS. WE HAVE TO UNITE TO BE STRONGER. GET INVOLVED LOCALLY AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Latin Times Magazine:  What is YOUR comida Latina favorita?
SO MANY FAVES. ROPA VIEJA & RABO ENCENDIDO, RICE & BEANS, AND YUCA WITH LOTS OF GARLIC MOJITO. CALDO GALLEGO TOO! PREPARED IN OUR CAFETERIAS AT OUR STORES, OF COURSE. LITTLE BIASED LOL!!!