Meet Ariel Vicente, the joy of supporting teams

I’ve loved my role, and I've recently accepted a promotion to Latin America Solutions Manager. This means I’m now also responsible for Colombia and Argentina, managing a fantastic team and supporting Kin, Latin America-wide. But I truly never feel limited. In my team, and really across every role at Kin + Carta, you’re never bound to your physical location. We’re a global firm, and in CDS, specifically, we are set up to provide support to any individual across Latin America, the United States, and even Europe.

The duality of working as a part of a global environment is unique, because even when we share the same culture within Kin + Carta, we end up experiencing a completely different culture outside of work. I love this, as it helps me grow as a human being. I get the chance to learn about everyone’s unique experiences just by having conversations about what my coworker did over the weekend or how something specific works in their country. Sharing a little about ourselves is a great way to connect and create bonds with the team, and you can see the positive impact in the dynamics of the group.

For me, the best part of working on CDS has to be the innovation. There's always an opportunity to surface new ideas, like creative ways of working or even new technologies that’ll better support our Kin. This work ties into my passions — learning new things and offering better solutions and services. It’s our goal to make it easier for our Kin to do their work.

One of the most amazing parts of my job is working with new hires, especially just embracing that first moment of being introduced to them every week. They’re excited and happy to be where they are, and I'm the guy who always likes to have a joke ready to make them laugh. I intentionally create the space for all new hires to feel like it's okay to be yourself and have fun.

And it’s kind of funny to admit, but during the onboarding process one of the most common questions I receive is: “How do I copy and paste on a Mac?” I answer these types of questions and always try to provide advice. And, it’s the same message I would share with anyone in the company: If you want to try something, do it. Go for it, and don't be afraid to show who you really are. Be yourself and let us know what you can do for the company.

I'll say it over and over again, but I'm supported by a fantastic team. I repeat this constantly because it's true. We show up for and care about one another, and I truly believe that our success is determined by this. If someone on the team is sick, we have at least three people raising their hands to offer help. This ensures that they are able to take the time off they need to get better. It’s these every day actions which make me feel so proud to be part of this group.

I often reflect on the research process I did before my first interview with Kin + Carta. I remember reading about our B Corp certification and digging into comments and reviews from current employees. It was overwhelmingly positive and after all of this research I remember thinking: “Yeah, I want to be there.” And now that I’m here, I want to stay here. What you read on the internet is real — we love to work here.

My secret to life is simple - stay humble and flash a smile to everyone. Accept people for who they are. I try to do this everyday, all while attempting to help them realize their goals at work. And, believe in the possibility of being happy going to work. It's Monday? Hey, let's go to see the team in the office. You’ve got a day full of meetings? Make sure that at least a few minutes of each is used for connecting with your coworkers personally. I feel good going to work and am passionate about caring for those around me. When you combine an incredible team with excitement and purpose, there's no limit to what you can achieve.