Meet Franchise Partners Ariana Rojas and Jose Revilla

Ariana Rojas is the Commercial Manager and Jose Revilla is the CEO of Dale Carnegie Peru. We spoke to them about their their decision to buy a Dale Carnegie franchise.

Could you please tell us about your professional background?

Ariana:  Of course. I started my career two decades ago at IBM. Over the years, I gained valuable experience in sales and management roles. I also worked with Alicorp, which is a prominent consumer company in Peru, and later led a sales project at Telefónica, focusing on the Small and Medium market. I eventually returned to IBM, where I held regional management positions in software and hardware. I have a degree in Industrial Engineering and an MBA.

Jose: I studied Business Administration, and I began a sales career at IBM. I moved on to General Manager of the PC Business Unit, overseeing operations in South America, including Peru, Colombia, as well as Mexico. I held leadership positions in Latin America while based in the United States. Later I moved to Telefónica, where I served as Vice President for the Enterprise segment in Peru, and subsequently became Vice President of SMEs for Latin America, based in Brazil.

What drew you to Dale Carnegie?

Jose:  My first encounter with Dale Carnegie’s teachings was through the book How to Win Friends and Influence People, which I discovered during my time at IBM in the mid-1990s. The book resonated deeply with me, and showed me how I could improve my emotional intelligence and connection with people. As I progressed in my career, I incorporated Dale Carnegie’s principles into my management style, encouraging positive interactions among my team. The impact of these teachings led me to believe that Dale Carnegie had something unique to offer. The idea of buying a franchise and spreading these transformative principles further came from that conviction.

What support did you receive during Franchise Partner Academy and from the launch team?

Ariana:  We started with the Franchise Academy, which provided us with really valuable insights, before obtaining the franchise. The Dale Carnegie team, including Jamile Dupont, Stacy Humphreys, and Julie Procter from marketing, sales, and training, has been incredibly supportive. Their guidance and the tools they provided have been instrumental in our early stages. We also formed a close alliance with the Colombia franchise, which significantly diminished our learning curve.

What advice would you give to someone opening a franchise?

Jose:  To succeed as a franchisee, it’s critical to focus on three key aspects – sales, positioning Dale Carnegie within the market, and prioritizing training. You also need a well-defined plan and effective cash flow management to support your operations. These elements combine to build a strong foundation for your franchise’s success.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Ariana:  Aside from our professional endeavors, we share a passion for sports, especially running marathons. As for our Dale Carnegie franchise, even though we’ve recently formalized it and started selling in June, we’re already had positive outcomes. Our first HIP (High Impact Presentations Program) received a 100% Net Promoter Score, and subsequent programs achieved a 96% NPS. Our aim is to continue building an exceptional company with outstanding marketing, trainers, and exceptional results in both B2B and public courses.

Jose:  Yes, we see a lot of potential in Dale Carnegie’s principles and methodologies. Attending the Owners Meeting in Barcelona was eye-opening, because it gave me a global perspective on the impact of Dale Carnegie. We are dedicated to creating a remarkable organization and achieving unprecedented success. Learning from the best practices of other countries is a cornerstone of our strategy, and we are excited about the journey ahead.