Today we’d like to introduce you to Karl Enriquez.
Hi Karl, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from Houston, TX. I moved to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in July 2007 to attend University of North Texas. At UNT, I studied Business Administration, where I received my BBA of Entrepreneurship. During my time at UNT, I started a beverage distribution business focused on Direct Store Delivery (DSD) to independent Convenience & Gas (C&G) stations across the DFW metroplex. As a part of this business, I was focused on the distribution, placement, and incremental sales of brands such as Drank—the Extreme Relaxation Beverage, Jolly Rancher Soda, Lean—the Slow-Motion Potion, Calypso Lemonades, and Dublin Dr. Pepper in various package sizes. This business thrived for a year and a half before the economic recession in 2008 – 2009 had an adverse impact on the retail C&G/Small Format retail channel, as a result of the diminishing sales volume in this channel, I was forced to reduce the scale of the business due to the loss of sales, ultimately closing the business and completing the coursework for my BBA at North Texas.
Upon graduation in 2011, I began my career with PepsiCo as a Business Associate Analyst focus on Metrics Analytics in their IT function (Business Information Solutions). During my time in their IT department, I learned to read, organize, quantify and relay findings in the data/databases. I also worked with the technology innovation team to research and identify upcoming consumer trends that would change the CPG business between 2012 and 2020.
In early 2013, I accepted a new role in a campus development program within the beverage sales division of PepsiCo, Pepsi Beverages Company. This program was geared toward individuals within 2 years of undergraduate studies and was designed train and breed leaders within the sales organization. Upon accepting the role, I relocated to Waterloo, IA where I took role as a Large Format Pre-Sales Representative focused on retail sales at Grocery Stores and Mass Retailers such as Target and Walmart. For the next 5 years, I accepted various assignments, relocating to Chicago and later back to Dallas to work in various capacities as a Sales District Leader. During my different roles as a Sales District Leader, I led frontline retail sales teams focused on activating sales in Independent Grocery, Drug/Dollar, and C&G retail stores.
Shortly after my relocation back to Dallas in 2016, I was accepted into the Executive MBA program at Texas Christian University and began my coursework while still working full-time at PepsiCo as a Sales District Leader in their Mesquite location. Upon completing my EMBA coursework, I was sought out for a new opportunity at Spindrift Beverage Company. In April 2018, I joined their team as a Regional Sales Manager over the South-Central US and was focused on brand activation in Large Format Grocery retail. In January 2021, I accepted a new role at Spindrift as a Field Sales Director – Central US. My team and I currently span across 19 states and focus on creating promotional strategy and sales activation at store level across various grocery chains.
Outside of my career in the Beverage Industry, I also consult small businesses, contractors, entrepreneurs, and solopreneurs to align business strategy and operation with their vision for their business. In January of this year, I founded Sol Consulting to further this endeavor. At Sol Consulting, we provide business strategy development, process analysis, change-management assistance, operational improvement services, technology implementation and techniques to help further develop coaching capabilities.
My wife and I have recently relocated back to the Dallas/Ft, Worth metroplex as of October of 2021. We reside in Northwest Dallas.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey has been everything short of a smooth one, however, I wouldn’t trade any of the experiences I’ve had. There have been various times in my career where I have been challenged beyond expectation. Whether it was starting a business during my undergraduate studies, relocating to an area of the Midwest where I knew no one, making pivotal career decisions involving relocation, deciding to undertake an MBA while still working full time, or even deciding to leave a large corporation to join a startup company, each choice presented new growth opportunities along with its own new set of challenges.
Regardless, I’ve always done my best to trust my instincts, and make the best decisions I felt were the best fit for my family and me. Knowing this, it’s important to reiterate that every choice has come with its own set of challenging experiences and triumphs. Along my journey, I’ve been reminded constantly that the accolades aren’t what make the professional, but the lessons along the journey. Our ability to absorb those lessons, and improve our decision-making capability is what continuously fuels success.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Sol Consulting’s mission is to aid Entrepreneurs, Solo-preneurs, Contractors, and Small Businesses in aligning business strategy and operation with their vision for their endeavors. We do so by providing business strategy development, process analysis, change-management assistance, operational improvement advisory, financial analysis and techniques to help further develop coaching capabilities. Additionally, we provide recommendations with a view to more effective/efficient ways of performing work tasks.
Our values are rooted in Learning, Innovation, Networking, and Collaboration (LINC).
What was your favorite childhood memory?
When I was young, we would take family vacations twice a year. My father is the oldest of 12, with a large family in Mexico. We would travel to Mexico in the summer and Christmas seasons to a place called San Luis Potosí, Mexico. My uncle (my father’s brother) was an entrepreneur himself. He started a tools supply business 35-plus years ago. When we would travel to see our family, I spent a great deal of time with my uncle, visiting his businesses and understanding the value of how strong leadership enables you to create a successful business. He was proud of the ability to create opportunities for various family members and took even more pride in being the best business person he could be. He inspired me to seek a career in business, and put focus on becoming the best professional I could be.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @solconsulting
