Success Stories
Julian Solis – Turning Adversity into Ambition
Julian Solis was born and raised in Albuquerque and is a proud member of the city’s next generation of leaders. As the youngest in his family, Julian faced early challenges, diagnosed with ADHD at the age of seven, he had to work hard to manage it in ways that supported his emotional and mental well-being. “I’m still learning how to live with it,” he says, “but I won’t let it be an excuse to not push myself to be the best version of me.”
Julian joined the City of Albuquerque’s Economic Development Department as an intern in 2024, eager to better understand how his hometown’s economy works, and how he could be part of building its future. “I wanted to learn the fundamentals of business,” he says, “and how to build something that doesn’t just succeed, but helps the community thrive.”
His internship became more than a learning experience, it was a turning point. Under the mentorship of Business Advisor Ken Jackson, Julian learned the building blocks of entrepreneurship, attended major networking events across Albuquerque, and developed the confidence to pursue bold goals. “Ken taught me how much more I needed to learn before starting a business,” Julian explains. “He also showed me how to communicate effectively and how to build relationships that matter.”
Julian’s journey hasn’t been easy. The loss of two beloved uncles in a short span of time left him deeply shaken. “It was a dark time,” he says. “But therapy helped me heal, and I decided to turn my life around.” That decision paid off: Julian graduated high school in 2025 with four academic achievement cords, and he’s already preparing for his future as a business owner. He’s currently studying to earn his life insurance license and dreams of launching his own company someday.
For Julian, this internship was more than a job, it was a launchpad. And for future graduates, he offers this piece of advice:
“Make as many memories as you can—especially in high school. Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller