Meet Juan Miguel Rivera-Pecunia

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Juan Miguel Rivera-Pecunia a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Juan Miguel, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I trace my work ethic back to a combination of early influences and lived experiences. Growing up, I watched my family work hard not just out of necessity, but with pride and consistency, and that left a deep impression on me. My first jobs and experiences in school reinforced the idea that showing up prepared, following through, and doing things well matter just as much as the result. Over time, I’ve also been shaped by great mentors and colleagues who set high standards and held me accountable in ways that pushed me to grow. At its core, though, my work ethic stems from a belief that the effort you put in reveals something about who you are. Challenges and setbacks have tested that belief, but they’ve also strengthened it. For me, working hard isn’t just about productivity — it’s about integrity, responsibility to others, and the satisfaction of knowing I gave my best.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

What I do is help people feel at home when they’re away from home. Through Otium, we manage short-term rentals and boutique hotels in Puerto Rico, creating seamless and memorable guest experiences. To me, what’s most exciting about this work is the mix of hospitality and innovation — we get to blend local culture, thoughtful design, and genuine service with the systems and technology that make everything run smoothly behind the scenes.

What I feel is truly special about Otium is that we prioritize people first — our team, our guests, and our property owners. I believe that when you care for your team, they in turn provide better care to guests, and that creates real value for everyone involved. It’s not just about managing properties; it’s about creating moments of connection and ensuring both guests and owners feel well taken care of.

We are currently in an exciting stage of growth. We’ve expanded beyond rentals into boutique hotel management, and we’re continuing to develop new ways to elevate the hospitality experience on the island. Our vision is to establish the standard for modern, guest-focused hospitality in Puerto Rico and beyond.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three things stand out as the most impactful in my journey. The first is resilience. Entrepreneurship and hospitality are full of challenges, and the ability to adapt, recover quickly, and keep perspective has been essential. The second is people leadership. Learning how to support, motivate, and truly listen to a team has made all the difference, because no vision can be built alone. And the third is strategic thinking-the discipline of stepping back, analyzing options, and making decisions not just for today but with the long-term in mind.

For those early in their journey, my advice is this: resilience grows by putting yourself in uncomfortable situations and learning from failure, rather than fearing it. Leadership comes from practice — whether you’re leading one person or a whole team, start by focusing on empathy and accountability. Strategic thinking can be developed by reading widely, seeking mentors, and always asking “why” before asking “how.”

At the end of the day, these qualities are muscles. You don’t need to have them fully developed at the start; you need to commit to working on them consistently.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

One book that has played a significant role in my development is “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown. What struck me most is the idea that courage and vulnerability aren’t opposites — they actually go hand in hand. As a leader, I used to think I had to have all the answers, but the book showed me that creating trust often means being open, asking questions, and admitting when you don’t know something.

Another powerful takeaway was the importance of creating a culture where people feel safe speaking up. In hospitality, where so much depends on teamwork and quick problem-solving, that principle has been invaluable. Finally, the book reminded me that clarity is kindness — setting clear expectations and giving honest feedback, even when it’s uncomfortable, is one of the best ways to support a team.

Those lessons have shaped not just how I work, but how I show up for others.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Credits: Otium Property Management LLC

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Are you walking a path—or wandering?

The answer to whether you are walking or wandering often changes from season to season

Highlighter Series
What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?

With so many high-achievers in our community it was super interesting to learn about the

Highlighter Series
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?

We asked some of the wisest people we know what they would tell their younger