Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan.
Hi Juan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Peru, in a family where entrepreneurship wasn’t a buzzword — it was survival. Watching my parents build opportunity from limited resources shaped the way I see business today: as a tool for dignity, stability, and possibility.
When I came to Minnesota, I arrived with two things: a deep desire to contribute and a belief that communication can change the trajectory of a business. For years, I worked quietly behind the scenes helping entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and small businesses improve their messaging, brand, and strategy. Over time, more people began asking for help — not just with marketing, but with clarity, direction, and confidence in their vision.
That demand is what eventually led to the creation of JLLB Media.
I started the agency with one belief: If you can communicate your message clearly, you can compete with anyone — regardless of budget, background, or size.
What began as a small creative studio has grown into a full-service marketing and business consulting agency serving entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits, and government programs across Minnesota. Today, we help organizations with branding, digital marketing, websites, PR, strategy, and workshops, as well as, business services: bookkeeping and payroll support always through a lens of clarity, creativity, and long-term sustainability.
Along the way, I also founded Vamos Impact, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting Latino entrepreneurs through education, training, and economic-development initiatives. My work in both organizations is connected by the same purpose: helping people turn their ideas into impact.
What has kept me going is not just the business growth — it’s the community. I’ve had the privilege of working with immigrants, women-owned businesses, daycares, startups, million-dollar companies, and organizations that serve underserved communities. Every project reminds me why I do this: because when a business grows, a family grows, and a community grows.
Today, JLLB Media continues to evolve, but our mission remains the same:
We help brands communicate the right message, to the right people, on the right channel — through creative strategy, marketing, and business consulting designed for sustainable, long-term success.
I’m proud of how far we’ve come, but I’m even more excited about what’s next. Minnesota’s entrepreneurial landscape is changing fast — and we’re here to help people navigate it with confidence, creativity, and heart.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — and I don’t think entrepreneurship is meant to be. Every stage has come with its own challenges, and each one has shaped how I lead JLLB Media today.
One of the biggest struggles early on was navigating entrepreneurship as an immigrant. I arrived in Minnesota without a network, without mentors, and without a roadmap. I had to learn everything the long way: how to build trust, how to communicate effectively across cultures, and how to prove myself in rooms where no one knew my story yet.
As JLLB Media grew, the next challenge was scaling while staying grounded. Like many small agencies, I wore every hat — strategist, designer, accountant, project manager, everything. Balancing creativity with operations was not easy, especially while raising a family and supporting multiple community initiatives. Learning when to say “no” and when to slow down became just as important as saying “yes” to new opportunities.
Another ongoing challenge has been earning credibility in industries that are rapidly changing. Marketing, AI, branding, and digital communication evolve faster than ever. That means constant learning, constant reinvention, and resisting the pressure to follow trends that don’t align with our values.
And, of course, as someone who works closely with minority-owned businesses and first-generation entrepreneurs, I’ve witnessed and personally experienced the difficulties of accessing capital, resources, and visibility. Those barriers are real — and they’re a big part of why I founded Vamos Impact, to create pathways I wish existed when I started.
Despite these challenges, they have all made the mission clearer:
To build an agency that not only delivers results but empowers people, honors their stories, and creates opportunities for communities that are often overlooked.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but the obstacles have been part of the transformation. They’ve strengthened my purpose, sharpened my skills, and reminded me that progress doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from resilience, learning, and being willing to grow.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
JLLB Media is a full-service marketing studio and business consulting firm, but more than anything, we are a people-first agency. We help entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits, and organizations communicate the right message, to the right people, on the right channel — through a mix of creative strategy, branding, digital marketing, website design, bookkeeping, and payroll support.
I built JLLB Media with my business partner Guisela Pinto because we saw a gap in the market: most agencies focus on marketing or operations, but very few take a holistic approach. Small businesses don’t just need a beautiful brand — they need structure, clarity, and the financial systems to support growth. That’s why our services range from visual identity and website design all the way to business planning, Bookkeeping setup, and payroll administration . We bridge creativity and operations so our clients can grow with confidence.
What truly sets us apart is our human-centered approach. We meet every client where they are — whether they’re a startup with an idea or an established business preparing to scale — and we build with them, step by step. Every interaction matters to us. We listen deeply, we learn their story, and we design solutions that fit their reality, not a one-size-fits-all formula. That’s our “secret sauce,” and it’s the reason our clients trust us long after a project is completed.
I’m most proud of the relationships we’ve built. Watching a client launch a dream, expand their brand, hire their first team member, or finally feel confident about their finances — those moments fuel our work. Our brand is grounded in clarity, creativity, and sustainable growth, and we’re intentional about helping businesses succeed in ways that honor who they are.
For readers who may not know us yet:
JLLB Media is here to support you from idea to launch to long-term growth. Whether you need strategic marketing, branding, a website, help understanding your numbers, or a combination of all the above — we’re a partner you can rely on. We care about your business as if it were our own, and we’re committed to delivering work that has real impact.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’d like readers to know that JLLB Media is more than a marketing agency — we’re a partner in your growth. We understand how overwhelming entrepreneurship can feel, especially for small businesses, first-generation entrepreneurs, and those navigating unfamiliar systems. Our mission is to make the process clear, approachable, and supportive so businesses can move with confidence.
I also want to acknowledge the incredible entrepreneurial community in Minnesota. We’ve had the honor of working with business owners from diverse backgrounds, industries, and life experiences. Each story we hear inspires us and strengthens our commitment to helping people build something they’re proud of.
If there’s one message I hope people take away, it’s this: you don’t have to grow your business alone. Whether you’re refining your brand, launching a new idea, strengthening your financial systems, or preparing to scale — we’re here to guide you with honesty, creativity, and care.
And finally, for those who value community impact: my work through JLLB Media and through our nonprofit, Vamos Impact, is connected by one purpose — to open doors, create opportunities, and support the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders. We believe that when small businesses thrive, entire communities thrive.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about our story. Minnesota is full of visionaries, dreamers, and builders, and we’re proud to be part of that ecosystem.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jllbmedia.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jllbmedia
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/jllbmedia
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/jllbmedia
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-llerena-845ba357/
