Isla Talent helps 100-plus Puerto Rican job seekers find employment in mainland US

After returning from a recent recruiting trip to Puerto Rico, Clay Martin, owner of Isla Talent, says the experience marked a significant milestone for the company, which has now helped place more than 100 workers from Puerto Rico with mainland employers since its founding.

“I just got back from another recruiting trip to Puerto Rico, and honestly, my heart is full,” Martin said.

Over the course of several weeks, Martin traveled throughout Puerto Rico, meeting face-to-face with dozens of job seekers in communities across the island. From the San Juan metro area to smaller towns in the island’s mountainous interior, the trip provided an opportunity to listen to workers, learn about their experiences and strengthen relationships that have become the foundation of Isla Talent’s recruiting model. 

“This has never been just about recruiting,” Martin said. “It’s about building trust, creating connections and helping people access opportunities they may not otherwise have.” 

That approach has proven effective, according to Martin. In Isla Talent’s first year of business, the company successfully placed more than 100 workers from Puerto Rico with employers in the mainland U.S. This business model aims to be a mutually beneficial partnership, connecting job seekers from Puerto Rico with a reliable U.S. company, which can be especially helpful for landscaping businesses struggling to find labor.

“People trust people who show up,” Martin said. “Trust doesn’t come from a social media post or a job advertisement. It comes from listening, learning and demonstrating respect.”

Having worked with Puerto Rican job seekers for more than 10 years and starting two companies, Martin stated he has invested significant time learning about the island’s culture, history, traditions and regional communities. 

During the trip, Martin met with skilled workers from a variety of industries who shared stories about both opportunity and challenge. Many discussed the lingering effects of hurricanes, economic uncertainty and limited access to stable employment opportunities. Others described relying on temporary or under-the-table work, often referred to locally as “chivos,” despite possessing valuable skills and strong work ethics. 

“What I continue to see is not a lack of talent,” Martin said. “It’s often a lack of access to opportunity.”

Several workers shared experiences involving broken promises, poor housing conditions, inadequate onboarding and employers who failed to provide the support they expected after relocation, something Martin stated has been a common occurrence throughout his career. 

As a result, the company works closely with businesses throughout the United States to help create successful workforce partnerships by establishing clear expectations, improving onboarding processes, providing guidance on housing arrangements and fostering workplace environments where employees can succeed and remain long-term.

“Trust is built in the small moments,” Martin said. “It’s understanding the culture, respecting family values, learning the language, sharing a meal and having real conversations. That’s how meaningful relationships are built, and that’s what continues to make this work rewarding.”