From uncertainty to opportunity: this is how we could summarize the story of Rolando Carrazco (CMBA 15), president of the Peru Chapter, who after an in-depth analysis of his personal and professional situation in Peru, along with Esade Alumni, decided to take a radical turn in his life and move to Spain. His arrival in the country was not mere chance but based on a series of connections and coincidences that led him to forge solid personal and professional ties with Luis Vázquez (PMD 07), president of the East Andalusia Club, who was in charge of offering the Landing service.
Rolando and Luis transformed an initial connection into a solid professional alliance full of accomplishments. Driven by the Esade Alumni network and the support of Iñaki Ocaña (Lic&MBA 06 / DARH 12), director of Global Relations, Rolando and his family moved to Spain in the search of a safe, prosperous environment. Rolando and Luis discovered an affinity in their values, experiences, and goals, which turned their friendship into an association through which their companies, Squad and Podium, have grown and complemented one another. Today, this story is a testament of the power of networking and how the community can open doors, generate opportunities, and create lasting connections that extend beyond borders. Let’s hear about it in their own words:
- How would you rate the importance of helping other members of the Esade Alumni community adapt to a new country via Landing service?
To me, the Esade Alumni community is essentially about shared values: empathy, solidarity, and support. Helping Rolando was natural for me; it was what I would have wanted someone to do for me and my family.
- What would you say was the key moment when your relationship went from just friendship to a professional association?
As soon as we introduced ourselves and told each other about our professional profiles and projects, it was a match. We both trusted each other, knowing that what connected us was Esade. This creates a very important reputational and trust filter to sustain a joint project.
- What were your expectations when you invited Rolando to collaborate in your Podium project?
His project in Peru (Squad Agency), which offers digital marketing services, was one of the solutions that we wanted to enhance and strategically develop in our branding consultancy (Podium Strategy&Marketing), and I let him know that. With us, they incorporated branding solutions, brand strategy, and communication that they were not offering their customers, so we clearly were able to reinforce our value proposition with this merger. Plus, Rolando is an outstanding professional, which very positively reinforces all the talent of the company. His capacity for work, vision, and sales orientation were a really pleasant surprise to me.
- How do you think that this story can inspire other members of the community to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the network?
This is a clear example of how professional and academic networks are an essential vehicle in professional, business, and human growth. The network is one of the top spaces where talent can grow professionally and discover people for your team, customers, suppliers, and partners.
- What factors were crucial when making the decision to move to Spain with your family?
Latin America, and especially Peru, are currently in a situation of instability in terms of safety and future prospects for businesses. Even though Peru is a beautiful country, my wife and I were looking for a safe environment with more opportunities for our daughters. Over time, the idea of emigrating took shape, and we decided that Spain would be the ideal destination. Spain offered a moderate culture change because we share the same language and some values, in addition to the advantage that my degree from Esade was the key to opening certain doors. We evaluated several cities, like Barcelona and Valencia, but we ultimately chose Málaga. We like the beach, and Málaga is a city that is constantly expanding, with a promising tech environment backed by Google’s recent move there. This city struck the perfect balance between quality of life and professional opportunities, which made our initial decision easier. We had always considered Granada, but we weren’t as familiar with it until we met Luis, who helped us to create a clear, steady vision of moving here.
- How did the Esade Alumni network help you make this decision?
Esade Alumni was essential in this transition. I met Luis through Iñaki Ocaña, and from the beginning Luis was warm and open and guided us in practical aspects, like schools and family adjustment. This connection was that solid support we really needed and led to an easy migration process without frictions. To me, Esade Alumni is more than a professional network; it is a community where relations extend beyond business. It keeps me connected, updated, and in contact with people from all over the world and allows me to do business, have meaningful conversations, and learn different perspectives.
- How did your personal relationship with Luis evolve until becoming a professional association?
Our relationship developed as process of “falling in love” with each other professionally. We met in late 2023, and at first our conversations focused on personal matters. We gradually began to explore our careers and connect at a deeper level. At all times the common bond was Esade: we shared similar experiences, professors, and a business vision. Personally, everything fit, too: the same values and principles and similar family environments. The key factors in this transition were transparency and mutual understanding.
- How did this experience enrich your vision of the importance of professional networks?
This experience validated the strength and value of professional networks. It has shown us the power of connections like Esade Alumni to create meaningful opportunities and make the transition a frictionless process.
