Local StoriesMay 31, 2024

Meet Yoli Santoyo

Local Stories

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Yoli Santoyo. Yoli was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Reginald Andre.

Yoli, thank you so much for joining us today. We’d love for you to bring our readers up to speed – can you introduce yourself and share your story?
I worked for a telecommunications company for over 12 years, mostly in a management role. But then in March 2012, I vividly remember getting an email that the company was downsizing and closing call centers, including the one I was employed at.

I was just shocked. This job had been my whole world for over a decade. It was all I had really known, with just a GED to my name. I had to decide whether to transfer to another call center or take a leap of faith and start a new career doing something I was truly passionate about – technology.

At 34 years old, I decided to take that leap. I enrolled in college, which was definitely nerve-wracking after being out of school for so long. But through one of my professors, I was introduced to Andre at ARK Solvers.

And now, 10 years later, I can honestly say I love what I do. I’ve been able to incorporate all of my management experience into this technology company, and it’s just so fulfilling. When you find that enthusiasm and sense of purpose in your work, it really does make it feel less like “just a job” and more like a true career.

Please tell us more about your brand, ARK Solvers Cybersecurity & IT Services
ARK Solvers was started back in 2010 as an IT company, providing normal business IT services. But around 2021, we really started to shift our focus more towards cybersecurity. We noticed this big increase in businesses being impacted by things like ransomware and other cybercrimes. You know, everyone wants to live out that American Dream of having their own business and being an entrepreneur. And that’s what’s so important to us – protecting that dream and making sure these small businesses and families don’t have to struggle financially because of cybercriminals. This is truly what I cherish most about my work. It’s not just a service we’re providing, it’s an unwavering pledge to safeguard the entrepreneurial spirit. The whole team at ARK Solvers shares this same passion for protecting small businesses. Our shared mission is what makes each day so exciting and fulfilling. Service and community are at the core of who we are. We don’t want to be seen as just another IT vendor – we strive to be a trusted partner that these businesses can rely on. When our clients work with us, they know we’re going above and beyond to shield them from cyber threats and keep their dreams alive. It’s so rewarding to play a part in empowering these small businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive. Ensuring no family has to suffer financially because of cybercrime – that’s what really drives me and the entire ARK Solvers team every single day.

Reginald Andre and ARK Solvers Cybersecurity & IT Services have been great to us and I know you’ve got a great relationship with them as well. Maybe you can tell our audience a bit about Reginald Andre and ARK Solvers Cybersecurity & IT Services and your experience with them.
That layoff back in 2012 from my corporate job was really tough. It was all I had known for so long, so having to shift into a completely new career field was daunting.

But I took that leap in 2013 and started at Broward College. It was actually through one of my professors there that I met Reginald Andre, who had recently started his IT company ARK Solvers. Even though I didn’t have any technical background, I decided to take a chance on that opportunity. It would give me experience, if nothing else.

And I’m so glad I did. From the very start, Reginald and the whole ARK Solvers culture just embraced me. Rather than being afraid of making mistakes, Reginald always treated them as learning opportunities. That instantly put me at ease as I was getting up to speed in a totally new industry.

What I really love about working with Reginald is how he encourages everyone to enhance their strengths. We have such a diverse team, but he makes sure all voices are heard and empowers every single person to step into leadership roles. That’s so important to me.

I really think that nurturing, community-focused approach is why we’re able to provide such an attentive, reliable, and knowledgeable experience for our clients. Reginald loves protecting these small businesses, and he’s instilled that same passion in all of us.

It was definitely a big career shift at first. But the way Reginald leads and champions his employees – it just makes me love coming to work every day. Knowing he has my back and wants me to learn and grow, that’s so rewarding. I feel incredibly lucky to work with someone like him.