Jose Aponte

Bilingual business development leader with 20+ years building, scaling, and operating ventures across franchise retail, hospitality, healthcare, and creative services. Proven record growing a pharmacy franchise network from zero to 12 units representing $48M in annual sales, leading multi-unit restaurant operations exceeding 50 employees, and delivering brand and visual communication strategies for clients across virtually every major industry in Puerto Rico. Combines executive-level business acumen and corporate governance experience with hands-on creative direction — eliminating the gap between strategy and execution.

Available for remote and on-site engagements.

Graphic Designer & Content Editor - MCS Puerto Rico (Medicare)

(2025-01)

• Produce CMS-compliant member communications and marketing assets for one of Puerto Rico's largest Medicare health plans, navigating a highly regulated federal environment.
• Partner with marketing leadership to translate complex healthcare and benefits information into clear, on-brand digital and print materials supporting member engagement and retention.

Founder & Principal - CreativoPR — Creative & Brand Consultancy

(2008-01)

• Built and scaled an independent consultancy over 16+ years, serving clients across nearly every major industry in Puerto Rico — including healthcare, hospitality, retail, legal, automotive, veterinary, electrical and industrial services, food & beverage, agriculture, professional services, and consumer products.
• Lead full client lifecycle: business needs assessment, brand strategy, proposal development, pricing, contract negotiation, and end-to-end delivery of branding, web, e-commerce, signage, and content systems.
• Build long-term client relationships through consultative selling — repeatedly converting one-time projects into multi-year retainers by aligning creative deliverables to measurable business outcomes.

General Manager - Augustos Cuisine Corp. / Nechodoma

(2023-06 - 2024-06)

• Directed full operations of a 3-location hospitality group including a flagship restaurant, a second concept, and a special-events division — overseeing 50+ employees in regular operations and scaling to 100+ during major events under an outsourcing model.
• Led the F&B operation for the Puerto Rico Open, the island's most prominent PGA-sanctioned golf event, managing logistics, staffing, vendor coordination, and on-site execution for thousands of attendees.
• Owned P&L, vendor negotiation, staffing, and brand experience across all units — balancing high-volume event execution with day-to-day restaurant operations.

Co-Founder & Operating Partner - 1936 Eatery & Tap Beer Room

(2020-01 - 2022-01)

• Co-founded and launched a craft beer bar and eatery in August 2020, navigating the operational and financial challenges of opening during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Led brand development, concept design, menu strategy, marketing, and day-to-day operations from pre-launch through ongoing service.

Franchise Developer • Board Secretary (Elected) - Farmacias One Stop Prescription

(2006-01 - 2012-01)

• Built the franchise organization from the ground up — establishing departmental structure, operational systems, and franchisee onboarding processes from a zero-unit baseline.
• Developed and launched 12 pharmacy franchise units in the chain-pharmacy segment, generating approximately $4M in annual sales per unit — representing a combined network of $48M in annual revenue.
• Successfully defended 4 of those units through Certificate of Need and Convenience (CON) proceedings before the Puerto Rico Department of Health — a complex regulatory process requiring market analysis, legal coordination, and executive presentation.
• Elected Secretary of the Board of Directors — managed governance documentation, board agendas, and franchisee-to-board communications, contributing to policy development and network-wide strategic decisions.

Co-Founder & Partner - PV Computer Services

(2002-01 - 2006-01)

• Co-founded and operated an IT consulting firm serving corporate clients — leading needs assessment, project implementation, technical support, and end-user training programs.

Professional Certificate - Administración de Empresas Creativas - Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Carolina (2011-01 - 2011-01)

Coursework - Business Administration - Universidad del Sagrado Corazón