The following article was originally published in El Sol de Yakima and written by América Barceló-Feldman. El Sol de Yakima is a weekly Spanish Language Newspaper.
Meet Yani Cisneros, the bilingual Business Development Manager at the Yakima County Development Association, and discover her vision for contributing to local economic progress by supporting local small business owners.
Where are you and your family originally from?
I am originally from Colima, Mexico.
When and how did you come to Yakima?
I arrived in Yakima when I was 5 years old. My parents are farmworkers, and they came in search of opportunities in the Yakima fields.
Where did you grow up and study?
I grew up in the city of Yakima, where I began my education in kindergarten. However, when I was in fourth grade, my family moved to East Valley—which is within Yakima’s limits—and I studied there until I graduated from high school.
What career did you study and at which university?
When I graduated from high school, I had no one to guide me or tell me where to find resources, so I never even thought about continuing my studies—I believed I couldn’t go to college. I was an exemplary student and the first in my family to graduate, but neither my parents nor anyone in my family had any experience with what to do after high school, so I started working in sales immediately.
But living in that community, in the east side of the valley, is exactly what drove me to do what I do now. There was no one to advise the community on how to obtain assistance and resources, and that pushed me to start working to help others secure the help or resources they needed, which is what I do today. And although I didn’t attend college, I have taken courses to obtain the certifications required for my current job.
Where and how did your professional life begin?
After graduation, I went to work in sales for a cell phone company. I really enjoyed it and quickly learned everything. I have always liked math and am good at it, so it wasn’t difficult for me—and I sold more than everyone else. After two years, I became the manager of the company’s two branches; I was in charge of five employees, the finances, and all the details of running the stores.
But one day I met someone who invited me to work at his marketing company, and that’s when I changed jobs. There, I became part of a promotions team in the media, planning the production of advertisements for television, radio, and newspapers. That’s how I began to truly get to know the world of business.
How did you get to your current job?
Someone I know told me that there was a position available at the County Economic Development Association and that it was perfect for me. This was during the pandemic, so I filled out the application and was hired to manage the government monetary grant program designed to help businesses during the COVID closures. I was responsible for processing applications and delivering the resources. I held that position for almost two years—it was a very challenging job, as we had to answer calls non-stop from 6 in the morning until 9 at night. It was exhausting and hectic, but extremely rewarding because I was able to help many business owners who received those grants and managed to survive those difficult times.
What has been your work experience in your current job?
After two years with the association, the executive director changed my role, and I was assigned to manage the bilingual program aimed at boosting the county’s small businesses. We help them find assistance or information resources, and if necessary, refer them to other agencies that can provide additional support.
What has been your contribution to the community?
My new goal in this position is to serve as a genuine bridge of support. Additionally, we assist them in planning how to successfully open, manage, and maintain their businesses. This work is very rewarding because I love helping business owners and managers, and at the same time, we contribute to the local economic development of our community.
Finally, what is your message to young people?
If my experience can serve as an example, I am very happy to tell you that you must fight to achieve your goals in order to attain success—both now and for a promising future. Keep creating so that you feel proud of everything you do. Set your goals, never abandon your dreams or ideas, and do everything you love to do.
How to Contact YCDA? For information about the Yakima County Development Association, please visit www.ycda.com.
You can also call 509-575-1140.
This article has been translated into English. To view the original article click here.