From Spanish Rap to Hispanic Staffing Industry CEO
How Sebastian Paredes an Ecuadorian Immigrant is Redefining the U.S. Staffing Industry
Like many immigrants, my family left Ecuador for the United States in search of a better future and the American Dream. At seven, I moved with them to New York City, where we settled in Washington Heights, a lively neighborhood with rich Latino culture but also its own set of challenges. Growing up, my family’s financial situation meant that we struggled to make ends meet, and I quickly learned the meaning of hard work and resilience.
Amidst these challenges, I found an unexpected passion that defined much of my youth: Spanish rap battles. Rap became my escape, a way to stay out of trouble in an area filled with gang influence and economic struggle. It wasn’t just a hobby; it was a source of protection and brotherhood. I threw myself into the art, performing in subway stations, competing in rap battles across the country, and even helped my rap crew gain sponsorship from Red Bull. It was a powerful experience, one that taught me discipline, self-expression, and how to connect with others, qualities that would later shape my entrepreneurial journey.
When it was time to apply to college, I made sure to share my story, from my roots in Ecuador to my time as a Spanish rap battler, with every college admissions team. I was fortunate enough to receive a near-full-ride scholarship to Babson College, the #1 entrepreneurship school in the world. Babson transformed my life, giving me resources, mentors, and a community that fueled my dreams of creating change. As a first-generation student, balancing academics with economic challenges wasn’t easy, but each obstacle became fuel for my drive to succeed.
During my senior year, I founded Interlix Staffing. My vision was clear: to create a bridge between Latin America and the U.S. by offering companies access to top-tier, cost-effective remote talent from my home region. This was my way of giving back to a community I love while helping U.S. companies thrive.
At Interlix Staffing, we specialize in placing remote professionals, like software developers, marketers, project managers, and more, in remote roles within U.S. based companies. Many of whom have worked for multinationals such as PwC, Ernst & Young, and Google. Through our recruitment model, U.S. businesses can save up to 40% on labor costs by hiring skilled Latin American talent remotely.
Starting Interlix from the ground up was no small feat. Unlike many startups that seek outside funding, I bootstrapped the business from the ground up, investing long hours, sleepless nights, and my own resources. Today, Interlix is more than a business; it’s a mission to bridge two worlds. We’ve helped over 35 companies secure high-quality talent from Latin America, and we’re still growing. Now, companies can hire two to three remote employees for the cost of one U.S based employee, with the equal or even higher qualifications. This is a game changer for scaling businesses looking to maximize their resources.
But Interlix Staffing is about more than just cost savings; it’s about the profound social impact we create. Every day, we witness the transformative effects of our work on the lives of the remote professionals in Latin America. By earning in dollars and receiving higher wages than typical in their countries, they can achieve financial stability and pursue their dream
For instance, one of our team members, Winder Sereno, based in Venezuela, recently shared how, after two years with us, he was able to pay for his mother’s surgery. A victory for him, and a testament to the life-changing power of remote work with U.S. companies. Stories like Winder’s fuel our mission, inspiring us to expand our efforts and help more professionals elevate their lives and support their families.
To my fellow Latin American entrepreneurs reading this: our paths are not easy, but the rewards are worth every hurdle. The obstacles we face only make our success stories richer. Let’s keep striving, one step at a time, toward a better future for ourselves and our communities.
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