The Valatam Journey: Bridging the Gap Between Talent and Opportunity

In a world where opportunities often lie just beyond reach, Dan Baker, originally from the UK, had a vision to connect untapped Latin American talent with growing businesses in the US. With 8 years of corporate experience spanning the UK, the US, and Latin America, Dan identified a crucial gap in the market.

His journey began in 2014, during which he outsourced call centers and back-office operations for Latin America's largest independent financial consultancy. This experience allowed him to understand the nuances of talent acquisition and management across diverse regions.

The Start

In 2016, inspired by the disconnect between Latin American professionals eager for stable, well-paying jobs and US businesses struggling to find reliable talent, Dan founded Valatam. The mission was clear: provide businesses with remote teams that would enable them to delegate parts of their operations. This, in turn, would save time, reduce costs, and enhance productivity.

Valatam's journey was fueled by the belief that many business challenges ultimately revolve around people and processes. While we couldn't address all the issues, the Valatam team could certainly tackle the people part. We recognized that finding the right talent was often a time-consuming and inefficient process for many clients: it could take weeks to start seeing resumes, and even then, the recruitment process was fraught with challenges like identifying the right soft skills or assessing an applicant's genuine interest.

The Process

This was the catalyst for Valatam's approach. Rather than leaving clients to navigate the intricate world of recruitment, we offered a streamlined solution. Valatam's rigorous nine-step screening and recruitment process and a one-month training and evaluation course for candidates ensured that only pre-screened, highly qualified talent reached the clients.

When a client interviews a candidate, all the screening, recruitment, training, testing, and evaluation are already completed, allowing the hiring process to wrap up in under a week. The thoroughness of these screening steps also significantly reduced the occurrence of "bad" hires.

The Growth

Dan's journey wasn't just about business; it was about cultural immersion, connecting with incredible people in Latin America, and building a sense of belonging. His experiences, from hiking mountains in Roraima to remote working in hot desks in Caracas, were the building blocks of Valatam. It started with a backpack, $500, and some broken Spanish, and today, it's a thriving company bridging continents and connecting businesses with exceptional talent.

As Valatam celebrates 7 remarkable years, it's not just about looking back; it's about appreciating the extraordinary individuals who have contributed to this journey. Valatam's team has grown stronger year by year. They embody qualities of intelligence, humor, effective communication, and a hard-working mentality.

Over the past 7 years, we've journeyed from a humble beginning to a thriving force of two hundred strong. This period has been a whirlwind of challenges and triumphs, each molding us into who we are today. Brimming with gratitude and excitement, the Valatam team eagerly anticipates the next chapter – a seven-year stretch filled with growth, innovation, and the continuation of our mission: forging impactful connections between exceptional talent and boundless opportunity.?

We remain unwavering in our commitment to excellence, knowing that half-hearted efforts have no place in our journey.