Juan Bustamante
/age: 32 | Manager | Mayo Manufacturing
Juan Bustamante came to the U.S.A. to pursue the American dream. Through making sacrifices, taking risks, and working hard, he has attained his own version of success with endless possibilities in his future.
The first one in his family to achieve not one, but two bachelor’s degrees, Juan has plans to pursue a master’s degree and possibly even a doctorate. After attaining his first degree in management at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, Juan became the general manager at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop. “It wasn’t just a job for me; it was a second home,” he acknowledges. “The employees, guests, and my wonderful bosses were all family to me. To this day, they still are.” With the support of his former bosses, Tommy and Jana Hicks, Juan went back to college in the spring of 2017 to pursue an accounting degree. He recently was hired as a manager for Mayo Manufacturing and is ready for the challenge. “I will learn new things. I will meet great people. And I will make new friends and hopefully, find a second home there as well,” he explains.
Juan is proud to serve as a role model for his wife, Juana Guillermina, and daughter, Maddison Grace. During 2015, the Fuzzy’s corporation recognized him with a Best Manager award. Out of 100 other managers, Juan was thrilled to be chosen for the honor. “My crew and I built one of the best small restaurants in town, and that is an awesome accomplishment to me,” he relays.
Juan’s greatest passion is cooking. Whether stressed, bored, or tired, cooking is the solution to all of his problems. He hopes to eventually open a small taco truck, and if everything goes as planned, he will eventually move the business into a building to better serve the Texarkana community.
Juan Bustamante is the perfect example of one who has defied all odds and worked hard to attain his goals. In addition to working in management, he is also the owner of a grapevine wreath business. He looks forward to the future with fervor, and encourages other immigrants and students to never give up on their dreams and to continue pursuing and accomplishing their goals.
Best piece of advice:
“Anybody can work at 100%, but what makes you different from others is that you always have to do at least 110%.” – Tommy Hicks, Juan’s former boss
Name something about you that very few people know:
“Everyone knows that I love cooking but what nobody knows is that I don’t like to do the dishes. My wife takes care of that.”