I’m Juan, executive creative director and founder of JMport Design House in Toronto.

I grew up in Medellín, Colombia, during the chaotic Escobar wars of the 80s. I moved to Canada at 12 with my mother and nothing else. Facing both financial and personal challenges, I knew life had something special to offer.

I enrolled in the OSAP program for funding and put myself through college, graduating from the International Academy of Design and Technology with a diploma in art direction.

In the second month of school, I became a young father at the age of 18. I balanced school by day and work by night. I landed my first real design job 1.5 years after graduating. I specialized in technical design work for top brands like Nike, McGregor, Calvin Klein and Jockey, gaining hands-on experience in product design and development. The 2008 financial crisis presented a significant setback when I was laid off. This challenge became an opportunity to transition into art directing and consulting.

As a freelance consultant, I worked with some of the best advertising agencies in the world, becoming an accomplished art director and collaborating with brands like Ford Motors, Mondelez, Nickelodeon, The Home Depot, Nissan and many more. Seeking stability and growth, I ventured into the startup world, further expanding my skill set and gaining a diverse range of experiences.

With a wealth of experience under my belt, I founded JMport Design House, believing we could offer quality design work at a fair market rate. Building my own support team, I hand-picked talented individuals and learned to deliver quality work on budget and on time. It’s a point of pride to have my partner and son as supporting parts of JMport.

Despite facing numerous challenges, JMport Design House is prospering. We have built something special. If we can make it through this new bust cycle, we will persevere and grow.