THE WHO
Hi, My Name Is
Juan Carlos
I started as a filmmaker and turned into a product leader.
I also have two kids and make picture books for them.
In Brief
Getting To Know Me?
I’m Head of Product at Sunday Goods, a cannabis startup.
I was Head of Product & Content at Onward, an anti-addiction app.
Before that, I was Director of Social Impact at Participant Media.
My foster care film, Know How, helped pass watershed legislation.
Way back, I directed the gamer documentary Second Skin.
I also produced and directed Vice documentaries for a while.
And founded a non-profit to curb climate change.
THE WHAT
Defining My Discipline
Every product leader is different and comes with a special skillset that’s additive to a greater whole. I love collaborating with smart folks on complex projects.
Vision
It’s the foundation of where all my projects begin and gives breath to the higher purpose that aligns and drives teams.
Strategy
A vision without a plan isn’t much good. A strong roadmap delivers those clear milestones that take a project from concept to creation.
Design
Thinking through UX and UI problems was where I first found a love for building products. It remains one of my favorite parts of the process.
Analytics
Good product decisions emerge from understanding what users are doing and trusting the data you have built your hypotheses on.
User Research
Understanding user behaviors, needs, and motivations by speaking and listening to customers is the path to success.
Release Management
None of it matters unless you ship it! Managing a backlog, prioritizing work, and releasing valuable features makes or breaks a product.
THE WHEN
Me in Numbers
In the past I’ve been a lot of things, some may say scattered but I like to think of myself as an eclectic generalist. I think this diversity in experience lends itself well to the field.
Feature Films
social impact campaigns
Startups
videos
Miles Run
Hours Meditated
Epiphany
ChiLDren
THE WHERE
Deep Dive Into My Past
The only way to gut check whether we’d be great collaborators is to learn more about my past. Take a look, see what you see, and if you’re feeling it, please leave me a note.
SUNDAY GOODS
Head of Product
Sunday Goods grows all-natural, top-quality cannabis that produces specific effects through high-integrity growing. Effects that shine through a respect for the whole plant.
Adhere to a user centric feature development process
Currently designing a customizable multi-store site for a regulated product
Managing a fully remote team
ONWARD
Head of Product & Content
Onward helped users overcome behavioral addictions by tracking screen time, blocking unwanted usage, and delivering real-time guidance via an AI chatbot.
Executed a product strategy and vision for the anti-addiction app
Shepherded iOS app development
Wrote scripts for a coach chatbot
Participant Media
Director of Social Impact
Participant Media is the leading media company dedicated to entertainment that brings social awareness and engages audiences to participate in positive social change.
Guided an innovative digital platform to harness millions to effect social change
Helped design a system to examine and score the social impact of entertainment
Won Cynopsis’s Social Good Award for Best Environmental Campaign
Know How
Writer & Director
Know How is a feature film musical that captures the reality of life in foster care from the point of view of those living in it — youth struggling in the system.
Released theatrically, on Netflix, and Participant Media’s channel
Won multiple best film awards including IndieWire Project of the Year
Petition helped pass watershed foster care legislation
Second Skin
Director & Editor
Second Skin is a documentary about online gamers who lead double lives in the virtual and real world. The film delves into the economy and psychology of technology and how it pertains to human identity.
Premiered opening night of SXSW
Voted the #4 Documentary of 2008
Released theatrically and on Hulu
Vice
Producer & Director
Vice is a global media channel focusing on investigative journalism and enlightening videos about everything from world news to tech.
Launched Motherboard with a documentary on legendary game designer Richard Garriott
Directed a piece on Sid Meier, creator of the Civilization game series
Honored to interview Ralph Baer, the inventor of video games and Simon
SUNDAY GOODS
Head of Product
Sunday Goods grows all-natural, top-quality cannabis that produces specific effects through high-integrity growing. Effects that shine through a respect for the whole plant.
Adhere to a user centric feature development process
Currently designing a customizable multi-store site for a regulated product
Managing a fully remote team
ONWARD
Head of Product & Content
Onward helped users overcome behavioral addictions by tracking screen time, blocking unwanted usage, and delivering real-time guidance via an AI chatbot.
Executed a product strategy and vision for the anti-addiction app
Shepherded iOS app development
Wrote scripts for a coach chatbot
participant media
Director of Social Impact
Participant Media is the leading media company dedicated to entertainment that brings social awareness and engages audiences to participate in positive social change.
Guided an innovative digital platform to harness millions to effect social change
Helped design a system to examine and score the social impact of entertainment
Won Cynopsis’s Social Good Award for Best Environmental Campaign
Know how
Writer & Director
Know How is a feature film musical that captures the reality of life in foster care from the point of view of those living in it — youth struggling in the system.
Released theatrically, on Netflix, and Participant Media’s channel
Won multiple best film awards including IndieWire Project of the Year
Petition helped pass watershed foster care legislation
Second Skin
Director & Editor
Second Skin is a documentary about online gamers who lead double lives in the virtual and real world. The film delves into the economy and psychology of technology and how it pertains to human identity.
Premiered opening night of SXSW
Voted the #4 Documentary of 2008
Released theatrically and on Hulu
Vice
Producer & Director
Vice is a global media channel focusing on investigative journalism and enlightening videos about everything from world news to tech.
Launched Motherboard with a documentary on legendary game designer Richard Garriott
Directed a piece on Sid Meier, creator of the Civilization game series
Honored to interview Ralph Baer, the inventor of video games and Simon
THE WHY
Me in a Nutshell
I’m a straightforward human that trusts implicitly and enjoys brainy repartee. I’m happy to chat about the weather, but if you want to go deep, that’s where I like to be.
- lovely to be around – 90% 90%
- fiercely compassionate – 77% 77%
- radically transparent – 85% 85%
SAY HELLO!
Let’s Dream Dreams
Looking to bounce an idea around?
Need to define a vision and strategy for an ambitious product?