Close Ad

He Started As An Illiterate Janitor - Now, He's One Of The World's Most Successful Latino Execs
Richard Montanez Inventor Of Faming Hot Cheetos
Motivation

He Started As An Illiterate Janitor - Now, He's One Of The World's Most Successful Latino Execs

In an incredible story about self-belief and seizing opportunity, Richard Montañez went from being an illiterate janitor to one of the most successful Latino executives in the world.


Working the fields

For a young Richard Montañez, family gatherings consisted of picking grapes under the California sun, then sleeping every night sardined in a one-room shack.

"There was no dream where I came from."

Hot Stories

Richard Montañez

As an immigrant knowing little English, going to class wasn't any easier. "I remember my mom getting me ready for school and I was crying," he told Lowrider magazine.

Then, at age 18, with no education or real future, opportunity knocked.

A life-changing janitor role

Montañez heard that snack giant Frito Lay was looking for a janitor just down the road from his house. Since he was illiterate, his wife filled out the application for him. After speaking with the manager, he landed the job.

When he broke the news, his grandfather shared some advice. “Make sure that floor shines,” he told his grandson. “And let them know that a Montañez mopped it.”

"I realized there’s no such thing as ‘just a janitor’ when you believe you’re going to be the best."

- Richard Montañez

Act like an owner

Then, one day at work, Montañez saw a corporate video by then-CEO Roger Enrico containing a challenge for all employees to 'act like an owner' and devise ways to improve the company.

The message resonated with Montañez. A lightbulb went off when he noticed a lack of products catering to Latin tastebuds, especially within the company's flagship Cheetos brand.

“Nobody had given any thought to the Latino market,” recalls Montañez. “But everywhere I looked, I saw it ready to explode.”

And so Montañez acted like an owner. Taking home some unprocessed Cheetos, he whipped up his own Latin recipe with chili and other spices.

The phone call that changed everything

"I didn’t know you weren’t supposed to call the CEO… I didn’t know the rules."

Richard Montañez

Oblivious to implicit rules, Montañez called Roger Enrico to discuss his spicy idea. He got past his assistant, and moments later he was pitching the company chief.

It went well, and a business presentation in front of the company's top execs was arranged.

Dragon's den

Two weeks later, Montañez was in Frito-Lay's boardroom, "a janitor presenting to some of the most highly qualified executives in America.”

"I was shaking, and I damn near wanted to pass out," Montañez recalls. Despite that, he pushed through his presentation.

The outcome was uncertain until CEO Enrico turned to him.

"Put that mop away, you’re coming with us."

Frito-Lay's CEO Richard Enrico to Richard Montañez

That meeting eventually birthed 'Flamin' Hot Cheetos', a billion-dollar brand.

Montañez is now the vice president of multicultural sales for PepsiCo America, and has developed products for KFC and Taco Bell. His story has been featured in magazines and a biopic on his life is in the works.

He is involved with many community youth programs that promote education and self-confidence.

Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.

Montañez didn't have the same education or privileges as others.

His edge was knowing his value and never letting anyone or anything diminish it. If he would have second-guessed that for a moment, he never would have been the success he is today.

When you believe in yourself, others will believe in you. Positive thinking and manifesting is a great way to bring yourself there.

"I believe that we all have the capability of being a genius when we are born, but somewhere along the line the world starts to tell you that you’re not, or you can’t be. I don’t think you should ever let someone else dictate how great you can be."

Richard Montañez

More uplifting news:

Why Jennifer Hudson Forgave Her Mother's Killer -- Life Stories By Goalcast

At the peak of her career, Jennifer Hudson faced a horrific family tragedy. Hudson's mother and brother were brutally attacked in their family home, and her seven-year-old nephew was kidnapped. What followed was a heart-wrenching manhunt to rescue her nephew and seek justice against the man who took her family. Hudson speaks from the heart in this video on what happened to her family and how she was able to move forward.

Celebrities
People smiling in unison united
Racism Quotes

Racism is considered the marginalization and/or oppression of people of color based on a socially constructed racial hierarchy that privileges another race. The term is applied in many areas of a society that perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race or strengthen racial inequalities in education, health care, income, and civil rights.

Ever since the 20th century, the concept of biological race is considered a cultural invention that has no scientific basis. The progress over the past half-century has been impressive, but the nation still has a long way to go to reach true racial equality.

Keep ReadingShow less
Everyday Heroes
hands are put together as part of community volunteer efforts
Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

A community is so much more than people sharing a space. It's a living, breathing network of connections and shared experiences. While it's usually defined as “a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common,” true community runs much deeper than that.

Diversity

Keep ReadingShow less
Quotes