It's time to include two experienced additions to the alumni of great business owners in San Antonio. Jake Starr and John Zambrano, Texas–raised co–business owners of JCS Branding who operate and live by a mantra that stresses the importance of communication and relationships.

In the business of promotion, JCS Branding offers alternative and unique tangible ways to help local businesses reach out to consumers, to aid in increased business. Starr and Zambrano like the challenge of finding innovative and effective marketing material, which ranges from that standard fare of pens, mugs, T–shirts, even blankets, to the exotic and unexpected items, tailor–made to make their clients top–of mind, with their customers.

Upon meeting Starr and Zambrano one won't experience the pretence of polished corporate personas, or see the material trappings of success, but rather genuine guys with an obvious ability to relate to people.

Loyal client Eunice Arrambide of PCI Education can assent to the services JCS provides, “We utilize JCS Branding to help with all of our branding needs in the market place as well as employee incentives and recognition. And PCI can always count on excellence from JCS Branding … [They] never impose anything on PCI and always look out for the best interest of our company. We are courted by many branding companies but are very committed to utilizing the group that will provide the best service to us.”

Starting JCS Branding was a dream roughly a decade in the making, but sleep wasn't the process in which Starr and Zambrano brought it to life. It required two experienced guys, a desire to own a business, and the support of their families to achieve the success they have today. One could even add a simple statement from a past co–worker to the successful recipe the day Zambrano was told, “John you work too hard. You need to be in sales.”

Zambrano took to heart that comment and for 15 years in the sales industry he has combined his serious work ethic with his people skills and passion for helping others to reach success he now enjoys.

It was in 2000 when Zambrano and Starr would finally meet and be one–step closer to owning the successful business they have today. The two met at a networking function at a time when Starr was relatively new to the sales industry. Unlike Zambrano to withhold advice, he counseled Starr on what's important in the art of selling. His advice was simple, “Just be yourself, put the interest of your client first and you will not just make a sale but gain a loyal customer."

Family is an integral part of their business and was one of the factors that directly pushed JCS Branding into creation. Ethics instilled by the business owner's fathers; Charles Zambrano, a 30–year veteran of the San Antonio Police Department and John Starr, a former small business owner, have helped form the mission of JCS Branding.

JCS Branding personifies the definition of family business as members of the JCS team not only include both of their fathers, but also Zambrano's wife, Lisa, as the graphics / Web designer and his brother, Russell, as warehouse operator.

“Jake and John and their entire staff are true professionals in their trade,” says client Mike Munos of FLSA America. “They work with you from setting up what your company needs and what will work best, to following through to make sure you receive top–quality products. They continuously provide top–rated customer service for me professionally and personally.”

Zambrano and Starr have accumulated years of wisdom and success. But, what do they consider their greatest accomplishment? Both can agree it’s

hearing, “I love it” from customers, which is the result of listening and operating while the goal of catering to the specific needs of their valued clients.

“JCS Branding has always come through for our company,” says Holly Zapata, director of Aveda Institute San Antonio. “We have very specific needs to keep in line with the Aveda mission of Green product partners, and JCS had continually worked with us and given us the best pricing to meet our needs. We have used JCS for five years and are very pleased.”

What's important to Zambrano and Starr is to teach the positive values that they learned from their fathers, to their children and to one day leave a legacy of success both professionally and personally, from knowing what's important.