I am Juan Carlos Medellín
Diamond / Colombia
My life before entering the world of b:hip
Before entering the world of b:hip, my life was very normal. I had focused on studying Industrial Design in the beautiful city of Puebla, Mexico. The truth? I chose that career more out of social pressure than out of true passion.
From a very young age I had the dream of traveling the world and discovering every corner possible. So, upon graduating, I was searching for the magic formula to achieve the long-awaited economic freedom that would allow me to take off.
I asked people close to me, looking for the key to achieving economic freedom, and the recurring response was a familiar refrain: “Juan Carlos, if you want to achieve your goals and dreams, you need money. To have money, you need a good job and, for that, a professional degree. So, for now, forget about traveling and focus on studying.” Following that advice, I embarked on college.
However, my relationship with mathematics was a personal challenge. My solution? Open Google and type: “What is the career with the least mathematics?” And so, I discovered Industrial Design. I signed up, attended classes for 12 days – and then dropped out!
The reason? It turns out that not only am I bad at math, but I’m also terrible at drawing! The first class I took was “Drawing 1”, and there I realized the monumental mistake I made by choosing a career based on what I didn’t know how to do.
I felt out of place in college, judged for skills I simply didn’t have. It reminded me of a quote from Albert Einstein that resonated strongly with me: “If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its entire life thinking that it´s an idiot.” In those 12 days, I felt exactly like that.
The feeling of failure was overwhelming, leading me to abandon this degree. But after I left it, I discovered the inspiring world of b:hip. In that moment of uncertainty and self-discovery, my life took an unexpected turn towards a project that filled me with purpose and enthusiasm.
Although I felt like a “failure” for the decision I had made, the opportunity with b:hip showed me a different path, and I already felt ready to embrace the future with renewed energy. Failure became the gateway to a new and exciting stage of my life!
My decision to start at b:hip
My search for purpose took me down unexpected and emotional paths. In an attempt to find my way, I partnered with a friend to open a clothing store. Although we tried to make it work for about 8 or 9 months, I still dreamed of something else. That’s when my parents invited my sister and me on a transformative trip to Denmark.
My parents were already immersed in the world of b:hip, although in a different way than it is now. Their team was mostly older people, and I honestly didn’t see myself in that scenario. However, everything changed when we arrived in Denmark to attend a convention, where the inspiring presence of Michael Sarfelt and his family awaited us.
At that event, we discovered young people exploring the world, making money, and living life in a whole new way. That’s when I fully identified with the project and said: “This is what I’m going to do!”
The first year was a whirlwind of emotions, everything was new and exciting. The vision we gained at the convention in Denmark became our illuminating beacon. Upon returning to Puebla, we began implementing the new methodology and work system. The big advantage was that we were pioneers in our city – no one else was doing it.
We worked tirelessly, following the guidelines of the new methodology. At the end of the first month, the results exceeded my expectations. My sister approached me, intrigued: “Juanca, what rank did you qualify for?” Initially I was uncertain – until I learned that I made it to Platinum! The surprise and joy filled me with motivation.
In retrospect, I know that qualifying to Platinum in the first month is extraordinary, a process that typically takes 6 months to 2 years. However, initially we had no one to compare ourselves to, which helped us break those barriers without self-imposed limits.
After two months of being immersed in the business in Puebla, getting paid and obtaining results, we made a bold decision. With a group of friends we decided to embark on a new adventure and move to Medellín, Colombia. And this is how our story of successes and challenges took an international turn!
Opening the b:hip international market
After two months of leading the project in Mexico, we thought we had everything under control. We ventured and moved to Medellín, Colombia, with the mission of expanding our system and starting our first year in foreign lands.
Although the excitement of the first two months faded in the new environment, we were faced with a harsh reality: we didn’t know as much as we thought.
When we arrived in Medellín, we already had results, but they were only half of the equation. We were only executing part of the process – events, for example, were carried out by experienced leaders with the necessary knowledge. However, we soon had to host the events ourselves, and that’s when we realized we were pretty bad at it. In Mexico we stayed at the top, but once in Colombia, reality caught up with us.
Why? Because the market reflected our shortcomings. We had no skills, no experience, no talent, we only had the results of the first two months. From the third month onwards, the atmosphere changed. We weren’t getting paid the same or hitting the same numbers anymore, because now it was up to us and, honestly, we didn’t have much.
This first year became a constant confrontation with reality. We realized that we needed to develop skills and discover talents that we didn’t even know we had. The process was challenging, as we had to continue working even if the results were not immediately visible – as the results were proportional to our skills, which we were still developing.
Changing countries meant immersing ourselves in a new culture. My advice to anyone looking to open a new market is simple: know the culture first. Culture determines people’s identity and behavior. We were lucky because Colombia and Mexico share cultural similarities, but the challenge was still real, as we found ourselves in a new environment without knowing exactly where we were going.
Without offices, our meetings took place in rented rooms, cafés or parks. Convincing people about a business in a park was not an easy task. It took us eight months to rent our first offices – but when we finally did, we really started believing this would be a reality. Plus, having offices gave us the credibility we needed for those who questioned our business while we were in a park.
It was a challenging eight months, but in the end, every step was worth it!
Is b:hip a pyramid scheme?
In this game there are always skeptics and comparisons – and let me tell you that Colombia has the reputation of being the pyramid capital of the world. Yes, I know, in Egypt they may have invented them, but here is where all pyramids really begin!
If someone wants to start a pyramid scheme, well, of course, they come to Colombia because this is where it works. Despite the fact that people know its risks, it works. Why? Because people know there’s a risk, but also the opportunity to win.
So, who falls into a pyramid scheme? In my opinion, most do through laziness and the hope of making quick money. But let’s face it – when the pyramid collapses, it’s no surprise. As for b:hip’s business mode, we listen to the comments and the criticism, but the way we approach our business eliminates those doubts from the beginning.
From the beginning we tell everyone that this is not an easy job, it´s not a matter of downloading an app and starting to earn money. It’s hard work, 10 to 12 hours a day. We demand so much from the beginning that there´s no room for them to actually think that this is a pyramid, because it simply is not an option here. Revenue is directly connected to product distribution.
Without product distribution, there’s no income. Our job is to bring the company’s products to the market, and that´s where the real task lies. If you aren’t willing to learn, work, be disciplined over a long period of time, you won’t see results.
At this point others filter their doubts – or they filter themselves. Our business is different. From the beginning, we show the process step by step, we follow up and we accompany them. We give them the certainty that this business works, and they find in us what they haven´t found elsewhere.
My life changed very quickly with b:hip
My life took a 180-degree turn, and it all happened so fast that sometimes I find it hard to believe. I went from dreaming of traveling the world to literally being constantly on the move. In the last eight years, I haven´t stayed in one place for more than two or three months.
Colombia has been my point of reference, but I´ve never spent more than three consecutive months here. There’s always a new trip, an exciting convention, or a fascinating destination that catches my attention. I take advantage of every opportunity to explore amazing places.
I was recently reviewing my checklist of countries visited and confirmed that, during the last eight years, I´ve had the privilege of visiting more than 57 countries. 57! And my life has become a constant search for new markets, new places, and new teams.
This is exactly what I dreamed of when I was 19 years old. I created a list of resolutions, visualized my dreams, and designed the vision of the life I longed for. And the most incredible thing is that today I´m living that life. So, yes, my life has completely changed, but it wasn’t a coincidence; It was a clear and defined consequence from the actions I took from the beginning.
It´s a reminder of the importance of having clarity and determination in our purpose from the start. Once I knew what I wanted, I invested all my dedication and effort, and I´ve managed to turn those dreams into my daily reality. And this exciting journey continues, taking me to new horizons and opportunities I couldn’t even imagine when I was younger!
What characterizes a b:hip leader?
At b:hip, a leader is not just someone who guides, he´s an architect of his own destiny, a visionary who charts his own path when the conventional ones don’t fit. He´s like a trailblazer, a pioneer who creates a trail where there is none, always with the clear goal of reaching his destiny.
These leaders didn´t settle for the beaten paths that society offered them. No, they are the ones who challenged the mold, the ones who dared to build their own path. On this trip, we met other “crazy people” who also refused to fit into conventional restrictions and chose to create their own path.
Leaders in b:hip are not just people who lead – they’re creative rebels, path builders, visionaries who challenges the establishment to forge their own destiny. We are the living testimony that sometimes it´s necessary to be a little “crazy” to discover an extraordinary path.
Leading my team in b:hip
Leadership in my team is the engine that drives everything in this business. It’s fascinating how the team reflects my own actions and approach. If it seems out of focus, chances are I am too. The key to leading a productive team is to lead by example, focusing, and being productive. When I channel my energy into focus, I watch the team follow that path.
Currently, I have a team in Mexico City, Puebla, Guadalajara, Villa Hermosa, Tabasco, and Monterrey.
We are also present in Lima, Peru, in Colombia in the cities of Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Armenia – and also in Madrid, Spain.
We are a network connected by a common purpose. Every change I want to see in the organization starts with me. It´s a process of self-transformation that spreads organically throughout the team.
My future b:hip goals
I have achieved part of my dream of traveling the world, but there are always bigger goals on the horizon. For 2024, I look forward to staying in Medellin all year long as the Global Convention will take place in Colombia.
In 2025, I see myself with the goal of establishing in Madrid, contributing to the growth of a solid team. My ideal dream residence has always been Valencia, Spain, and I´m determined to make it a reality!
My challenges in the b:hip business
There have been many challenges, small and large. I think the size of the goal you want to achieve will be proportional to the adversity you have to overcome. I understand that the magnitude of my goals is directly related to the adversities I must overcome.
A year ago, I faced a significant test, when people close to me decided to leave the business. I reflected on why they made that decision and how I could strengthen my team to prevent it from happening again.
In every challenge, I always hold myself accountable. Although it may seem absurd to take blame in certain situations, I believe it´s the only way to grow. By holding myself accountable and understanding how I was able to foresee and address situations before they affected my business, I can turn every challenge into a learning opportunity. Growth lies in self-responsibility and proactive action!
Exploring my spiritual side
I grew up in a very spiritual family, so what I have learnt from my parents has always been to be close to God and let the rest fall into place.
So I believe that this spiritual Juanca is prior to b:hip. Although I had to get lost many times to be able to return to my base, I managed by always having God first – and everything else comes after.
But obviously, if you are 19 years old and start earning money, and suddenly you move to another country, you pop your bubble and start living life, it´s also easier to get lost.
But I recognize that before knowing b:hip, I had to walk many paths that weren´t for me. Which made me strengthen and consolidate over time.
My infinite purpose in b:hip
I believe in finite and infinite purposes, and in b:hip I discovered an infinite purpose. It’s not just about achieving ranks, earning money, or acquiring material possessions; it’s about becoming an improved version of myself. Every day when I wake up, it’s my goal, raising my standards in all areas of my life.
My purpose in b:hip and in life is to continue asking myself: How can I improve today to surpass the Juanca of yesterday? How can I be the best version of myself today and become unrecognizable in three, six, nine months or a year? At b:hip, I find the platform to challenge my limits and constantly evolve into an improved version of myself. This is the essence of my infinite purpose in the exciting journey of b:hip and beyond!
