Luis Checa has a guiding principle throughout his career: “You need to stay uncomfortable to grow as a person.” This mindset has also been the driving force behind his ability to straddle multiple roles—father, entrepreneur, and pharmaceutical professional—and is central to his success in balancing these competing demands.
A native of Peru, Checa began his professional journey 13 years ago as a trainee at AstraZeneca and his tenure at the pharmaceutical giant helped him to acquire broad business skill sets ranging from commercial analysis to strategic planning. A decade later, he moved to Panama and took on a new role at a German pharmaceutical company. There, he honed his leadership skills and learned to navigate the complexities of international health systems.
Harnessing the Competitive Spirit
In 2020, after over a decade in the pharmaceutical sector, Checa decided to further his education and pursue an executive business degree. “I’ve always wanted to do an MBA,” he said, adding that IMD’s leadership focus was the “key differentiator” in his decision to take up an executive MBA at the Swiss business school.
This leadership development component, particularly under the guidance of Professor Ben Bryant, equipped Checa with self-awareness and conflict management skills, essential for navigating both corporate and entrepreneurial roles. “We had to record ourselves during some of our sessions in the leadership stream,” he said. “And they were very insightful. When they played it back, I got to see my own behavior, especially during discussions. It seemed almost like I was trying to avoid any form of conflict.”
Checa recalled the thrill and challenge of competing with exceptionally talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. He found himself continuously challenged—and inspired. “The IMD environment is such that you’re constantly surrounded by smart and more experienced individuals. It instills an unconscious drive to better yourself,” he explained. This Darwinian dynamic to continually adapt and grow became a defining feature of his EMBA experience.
Interestingly, the same peers who spurred this competitive drive also became a crucial network of support. Today, the close-knit group of friends from his leadership stream—including Ivan Sopta from his EMBA cohort, whom he now considers his “closest friend”—not only provides professional inspiration but also serves as a vital platform for regularly sharing their triumphs and challenges. Despite his busy schedule and the long distance, Checa makes an effort to stay connected with his classmates, drawing inspiration from their shared experiences. Reflecting on his time at IMD, Checa also recounted the logistical challenges and personal sacrifices involved in his EMBA journey: “For my lessons, I had to fly from Panama to Geneva and then commute by train from Geneva to Lausanne, where the IMD campus is, and back. At that time, I asked myself: What am I doing here, making this journey to Switzerland up to five times in the year while on the program and leaving behind my newborn baby? But in the end, it was worth it,” he said.
From Dark Kitchen to Multi-Channel Food Startup
A discovery expedition to Dubai ignited his entrepreneurial spark. “One of the most impactful experiences that I had during the EMBA was our trip to Dubai, where we had the opportunity to collaborate with companies like the Emirates Group. I also got to speak with entrepreneurs and learned more about their disruptive business models which were both innovative and pragmatic,” he said.
Initially, Checa envisioned his startup as a dark kitchen. However, leveraging the Business Model Canvas allowed him to continuously iterate and improve the business model. During the implementation phase, he gathered insights that led to its evolution into a multi-channel model that includes on-site dining, delivery, and takeaway services.
Ultimately, Checa and his co-founder refined their business model, culminating in the establishment of Pollito San, a sustainable free-range chicken restaurant offering Peruvian-Japanese flavors. Pollito San has since successfully opened its flagship restaurant, partnering with ethical producers and supporting local communities through training programs, all while emphasizing sustainability and social impact. 
Since May 2022, Checa has served as Hematology Franchise Manager at Adium, a leading pharmaceutical company in Latin America. While managing his responsibilities at Adium, he is now focusing on scaling Pollito San and aims to expand the business to 10 new stores in Panama in the near future.
Reflecting on his journey, Checa credits the training during his EMBA for equipping him with the mental framework to tackle the stress of running a business while maintaining his corporate responsibilities. “One thing I’ve learned is that the mind is the most powerful tool of all,” he said. “It changes your mindset to face life and can help you to reach for anything you want–with success.”
