We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Guadalupe Clarke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa Guadalupe, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by 3 women in my life starting with my grandmother, who I saw working really hard at the town market and taught me to never give up. My mother taught me to help others and my Nana who showed me the importance of kindness. My three daughters also inspire me as I want to ensure that their lives are better than the hardships I went through growing up in war torn El Salvador.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
ATL Search Group is a 100% woman-owned, minority-certified staffing company with focus on placing bilingual talent in professional, skilled, and unskilled positions. We help folks find their next career, not just a job. We are known in the industry as a gateway to success for Hispanic professionals. I have worked hard to be a trusted resource for both employers and employees. We understand the people, market, rates, and trades in a way that others don’t, and our reach is not just sourcing but understanding markets in Latin countries as well. Brand-wise, we have serviced major corporations and sports constituents here in the region. From direct hires to temps, we can staff an office, C-Suite or light industrial factory. I am most proud that my company has survived during Covid and the work we are doing with my team to help others not only to find a job, but to help them with their resume and interview techniques that go beyond just landing the position. In addition, I am also proud of the launching of my nonprofit “Latinas Rise”, with a focus on helping Latina business owners grow their businesses. I can relate to struggling to navigate the business world as a Latina Business owner myself. We focus on mentoring, networking and business opportunities; things are not always easy when you have your own company. Through experiencing first-hand the anxiety of not only having to keep your doors open, but making sure your staff, employees, and clients are happy with the work you are doing, I want to help ease the panic through aid.
One of the lessons I have learned is that you need to surround yourself with people that believe in your vision and bring skills that you may not have. Also, it is integral to always believe in yourself and listen to your gut. I want to instill the belief that if you are unsure of your place in the world, you can change it for that is something I did myself. If something batters you that much, it’s time for a change. I am a civil war survivor from El Salvador. I put myself through High School and College. I have been living on my own since I was 15 years old. I know first-hand undoubtably that you have the power of changing your current situation for the best. I have always been a fighter for what I want in life, and I have never let anyone one stop me from making my dreams a reality. I have a saying that I have been practicing since I was very young. “I did not come this far, to stay this far.” I hope to encourage other women to dream big and to have the courage of having the life and career they always wanted. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.
I learned a long time ago to always pray. I have been able to overcome many challenges in life by always praying to God. He has always provided for me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
To have the best food, Buford Hwy is the first place I would take them to taste some of the most diverse restaurants that we are so lucky to have here. From Salvadorian, Mexican, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Japanese food to name a few. Gibbs Garden to see the beautiful Japanese Gardens. I would also take them to Amicalola Falls State Park and Helen GA for some wine tasting and to see a town that feels like you are in Germany. If they like the city life, I would take them to Martin Luther King Museum, the Botanical Garden for a beautiful tour and some great food. I would also take them to Ponce City Market for Miniature golf and Atlantic Station for some shopping and good food and desserts.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
As a young woman, I was fortunate to have one of the best high school teachers ever. He changed my life forever by doing what teachers do best: helping others and making the students believe that they can do anything. Far too often teachers never receive the credit that they deserve. Mr. Steve Lombardi, a business teacher and football coach for the great Uniondale High School, not only encouraged me to attend college, but he gave up his lunch hour on more than one occasion to contact colleges and helped me mail them my college application. He supported me, got me a scholarship despite my hesitations of even attending college with my limited English. Those actions so long ago contributed heavily to the person I am now. But for my education, I couldn’t be the founder and CEO of a company that has given thousands of people jobs. Any teacher reading this, please know that your acts of kindness today, may end up helping thousands tomorrow. During my life I have had several mentors and champions. My husband Martin Clarke, has always been my biggest supporter and my rock for 28 years. He always supports me with anything I want to accomplish in my life. He is not only my partner, but he is my best friend. My three beautiful daughters, who give me a reason to get up every day. My Mother, (Pacita) for showing me how to be kind and helpful to others. Now she is watching me from heaven with my Abuelita (Grandma) Concha and my Nana Mamanita. They always encouraged me to have big dreams and never give up.

Website: www.atlsearchgroup.com

Instagram: atlsearchgroup

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagclarke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATLSearchGroup

Other: Instagram; lisa.clarke.7315 https://www.linkedin.com/company/atlanta-search-group

Image Credits
none applicable for credits

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