Hi, I'm Rafael.
 your Career Transition Coach

My mission is to help unhappy professionals Smoothly & Successfully Transition to a more enjoyable, meaningful, & fulfilling new career without sacrificing income.

And what gives me the authority and confidence to help you achieve that?

Because I know how you feel, what challenges you face and what it will take to succeed.

I’ve been there myself many times and have made drastic career changes successfully, not once, not twice but seven times in my 25+ work history after college. 

And lucky for you, I’ve been on BOTH sides; the job seeker AND the hiring manager.  I’ve personally reviewed thousands of resumes, have conducted hundreds of interviews and have hired over 500 men and woman many of them career changers. 

As an accomplished senior level executive with experience providing leadership, vision and strategic direction to companies and building & managing business operations, tech projects, sales teams, leading start-ups and executing strategic planning initiatives, I know what it takes to succeed. This experience & knowledge combined with more than ten years of coaching, mentoring and consulting experience enables me to guide my clients through a successful career advancement or transition process.

I don’t want you to read a novel, so here is my Career Change story in a nutshell:

Arrived in the US at age 17 as a legal immigrant, no English, no money, no connections but lots of hope and big dreams…

  • Janitor & Cashier - at a local Liquor Store (During high school)
  • Cashier and Warehouse worker - at a local theme park (During college}
  • Warehouse Worker / Stocking - at local retail store (During college)
  • Sales Rep - at a local electronic parts store (During college)
    After college …
  • Digital Design Engineer - at a large Fortune 500 Space and Defense Corporation
  • Account Manager - for a mid-size Digital Communication Company
  • VP of Operations & Managing Partner - of a successful Ecommerce start up, sold company
  • Education, Training & Development for youth leadership - Operator of own business,
  • VP of Business Development & Marketing - for a manufacturing and recycling company
  • Chief Operating Officer - for a manufacturing and Ecommerce company
  • Business & Management Consultant - Operator of own business
  • Career Transition Coach - Operator of own business

I know how to make successful career transitions. And I can show you how to do so as well.

Try a Risk Free Career Coaching Session

More about me...

My family ran away from a war torn country when I was thirteen. After years of being refugees and emigrating from one country to the next, we arrived in the United States. I was seventeen, had little to no money in my pockets and barely spoke a word of English. I put myself through school while working as a cashier and janitor to not only support myself, but my parents and my brother.

I graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering with a specialty in digital communication.  I worked for a top aerospace company for five years and was involved with two satellite programs while working on my Masters Degree at USC.  I had a great income but was not happy with my career path in engineering.

After doing a lot of soul searching I became inspired by a new found love for human potential, self-improvement and management sciences. I discovered an inner calling to move toward management and leadership opportunities. My passion was to work more with people rather than 'machines'. In hopes of making a more positive impact on humanity I left my graduate program at USC, gave notice to my boss, and left my comfortable and secure life (& a great pension) for an unknown, unpredictable and challenging new career path.

Starting from the bottom again, as a sales rep for an internet infrastructure company, I moved my way up to a high paying and secure management position in that field in less than two years. But my work was still not fully aligned with who I dreamed of becoming.

So. I took another huge risk and made another career change. I joined a small new start-up with fifteen employees in a totally different field. It turned out to be another great move. I eventually became the COO and a Managing Partner of this successful & growing 220 employee e-commerce corporation. Five years later our company was acquired by a large internet marketing company.

For the following fifteen years, I continued to follow my evolving interests and passions by making multiple strategic career shifts. In some shape or form I have been a Senior Executive leading the sales, business development and operation teams for a variety of manufacturing and e-commerce companies, in multiple fields. I have even created and ran my own businesses several times.

Each career transition has been fueled by my evolving interests, following my inner calling, drive for learning & growth and a need for more positive contribution to the world. Pursuing work that I love has not only brought more financial success but more importantly a deep sense of happiness and fulfillment.

Currently, I still consult to multiple executives & companies in Los Angeles area part time but I mainly coach / train my private clients at BeGreat.com with their career & life challenges; which is my passion.

Even more ...

I have also enjoyed giving back and serving my local community. For more than a decade now. I have been involved with multiple local charities/non-profits and have served as the director of individual development for one of them. I love to share my knowledge and strategies with other people. I have taught classes and set up training sessions for the Los Angeles community since 2006 and was honored to be recognized for this work by the leaders of the city of Los Angeles.

I have been studying self-improvement techniques, motivation theory, human potential sciences and career development for more than 20 years. I have completed 12 certified training programs, attended close to 100 classes / seminars, and read more than 250 books on these subjects.

I am an avid reader, love to run/hike, practice meditation daily, enjoy spending time with friends and family and travel as much as I can.

My life’s mission is simple and can be expressed in just seven words:    “Experience mindfully, grow consciously, and contribute positively.”

Those last two words are the main motivation behind BeGreat.com.

My favorite quote (especially in tough times) is by Dr. Victor Frankl  “What is to give light must endure burning”

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