The Metal Wizard turns talent into a growing business.
Celebrating Success is our annual event, we applaud our clients’ achievements and their impact to the local economy. This year will be extra special as we celebrate our 15 year anniversary as we continue in our vision that all businesses should be profitable, sustainable, and an asset to the community. Leading to our big commemoration we will be interviewing a client each week to share their success story, with a total of 15 clients. Previously we featured Christina Paz and Raymond Walker.
Silvia Solorzano and Jason McClain are owners of McClain Metal Works, a Sheet Metal Fabrication Shop that makes all types of metal objects from architectural products for interior designers and home builders to art objects for collectors.
Below is a Question & Answer we recently had with Silvia and Jason.
Q: How has your
career added value to your life? To the community around you?
A: Silvia studied Hotel and Tourism Management in the Food Industry, as well as in the Hostelry Business. Companies work hard to maximize space. We provide these companies functionality, durability, and beauty with the products we fabricate for them.
Q: How long have you
been working with EGBI and how have they helped you?
A: We have worked with EGBI since 2012. EGBI provided me the information I needed to start our business. We thank EGBI for the coaching and help to connect us with professional experts specialized in helping small business.
Q: What would you
like everyone to know about you or your business?
A: Our business is a husband and wife team. I (Silvia) became a mother, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend, and an entrepreneur all at the same time.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: When I am not at the shop, I devote my self to my family. When I am not with my family and friends, I try to go hiking and at night I like to see the sky through my telescope.
Silvia Solorzano and Jason McClain are the third of the 15 clients we will share stories about each week leading up to our 15 year celebration. Please continue to follow us to read more about the businesses we serve. If you would like to further help these businesses, consider using the products and services of our alumni. To do so, visit our CLIENT BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
SAVE THE DATE! Celebrating Success Luncheon will be on September 6th, 2019. If you are interested in attending, reserving a table, or sponsoring our annual event, please contact Monica Peña at monica@egbi.org and 512-928-2594 . More information about the event HERE.
Every year, we honor the achievements of our clients and their contributions to the local economy at our annual Celebrating Success event. This year we will be celebrating our 15 year anniversary from when we were initially created to improve the technology digital divide in our community to now evolved to help business owners better understand how to run a successful business. Leading to our big commemoration we will be interviewing a client to highlight their success story each week, 15 in total .
Christina Paz is owner of Siller Preferred Services, an employment agency that specializes in the hospitality and warehouse industry. Her company works closely with their clients to help them secure and maintain jobs that will allow their workers to grow their financial freedom.
Below is a Question & Answer we recently had with Christina.
Q: How has your
career added value to your life? To the community around you?
A: I have more freedom, independence, and can support my
family. Also, I take pride knowing my business helps workers support their
family.
Q: What are struggles
you have overcome?
A: Originally I had a partner. Now I have my business alone without my old business partner. It was hard to start, but now running my business is better.
Q: How long have you
been working with EGBI and how have they helped you?
A: I have been working with EGBI for 5 years. I took a class in which Barbra Boeta was an instructor, as a Program Coordinator (now Executive Director). EGBI helped me successfully establish my business. They gave me a huge help and much support as far as business coaching and we office out of their incubation space. EGBI is always available when I need them. I highly recommend EGBI to others.
Q: What would you
like everyone to know about you or your business?
A: I approach every client with customized advice to fit their situation and I pride myself on treating each client individually. Additionally, I greatly value my employees and create a family environment for the business.
Christina Paz is the first of the 15 clients we will share stories about each week leading up to our 15 year celebration. Please continue to follow us to read more about the businesses we serve. If you would like to further support these businesses, consider using the products and services of our alumni. To do so, visit our CLIENT BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
SAVE THE DATE! Celebrating Success Luncheon will be on September 6th, 2019. If you are interested in attending, reserving a table, or sponsoring our annual event, please contact Monica Peña at monica@egbi.org and 512-928-2594 . More information about the event HERE.
Alicia’s Tacorriendo de Austin agrega algo extra a su
comida; ¡Amor!
Max Varela, dueño de Alicia’s Tacoriendo. Cocina todas
las comidas con pasión y amor por el gusto de una comida deliciosa. Alicia,
quien es famosa en Mustang Ridge por sus tamales, es su madre. Así que él
utiliza las recetas de ella. Su negocio local, de propiedad familiar se
especializa en auténtica comida mexicana de Monterrey, México a un precio
accesible. Él ofrece servicio de alimentos para cualquier tipo de ocasión o
lugar, junto con tamales disponibles para tu deleite.
“Yo he trabajado al lado de mi madre en muchos
festivales y eventos de venta de alimentos. Mi madre tiene más de 30 años en la
industria del servicio de alimentos y es propietaria de su propio carrito de comida.
Quiero ofrecerle oportunidades a mi familia a medida que vamos creciendo “, el comentó. La comunidad que visita su carrito de comida
recibe el amor que él le pone a cada platillo.
A pesar de que él tenía la experiencia, le fue muy
difícil establecer y promover su negocio. Para resolver su problema, Economic Growth
Business Incubator (EGBI), le ayudó a refinar su plan de negocio y le brindó
ideas de mercadeo. Pero más importante aún, es que continúan ofreciéndole
consejos y asesoramiento empresarial. Al completar la serie de talleres para
pequeños negocios de EGBI. Él fue elegible para una
membresía de un año en la Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC).
Y al ser parte de (GAHCC) le daría mayor exposición a su negocio a posibles clientes.
Puedes visitar su carrito de comida el cual está ubicado en 8503 Hilmoore Drive,
Austin, Texas 78719. Para más información sobre Alicia’s Tacoriendo
visita: www.facebook.com/aliciastacoriendo.
El número de empresas de propiedad negra en Austin está creciendo. Febrero es el Mes de la Historia Negra, una celebración anual de los logros de los afroamericanos y un momento para reconocer el papel central de los negros en la historia de los Estados Unidos. Para celebrar el Mes de la Historia Negra, Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) reconoce a dos clientes que operan un mercado de comida africano y una organización sin fines de lucro que destaca la historia negra. Uno lleva la comida etíope a la comunidad de Austin, mientras que el otro ayuda a los jóvenes a moldear su identidad y aprender de su pasado.
Sitotaw Degefaw, uno de los propietarios de Selam International Mart & Café en North Lamar, vende alimentos y especias importados de Etiopía y África Oriental en su tienda de comestibles. Los visitantes pueden explorar la cultura de África oriental mientras disfrutan de la comida tradicional etíope sin la necesidad de viajar a Etiopía. Selam International Mart & Café es un lugar donde la comunidad de África Oriental en Austin puede venir y disfrutar de su cultura nativa de Etiopía, así como un lugar para que los no africanos prueben algo nuevo en un ambiente muy amigable. La parte favorita de Degefaw de ser dueño de su negocio es conocer gente nueva y tener un lugar donde su comunidad pueda reunirse.
Comenzó su negocio con sólo una idea. Llegó a EGBI para obtener el apoyo que necesitaba para su pequeña empresa, con la idea de comenzar un matadero para un tipo particular de carne de res importante para la comida etíope. EGBI lo ayudó a comprender las regulaciones gubernamentales sobre el procesamiento de carne y, a medida que su idea se definía mejor, tuvo la oportunidad de comprar una tienda de comestibles que tenía espacio para agregar una carnicería para su carne especial.
Trabajó con Joni Foster, Director de Programas de EGBI, a través de sesiones de entrenamiento uno a uno. “Ella me conectó con el proveedor que sacrifica la carne especial según la costumbre de mi país”, ofreció Degefaw. “Trabajó conmigo para hacer realidad mi sueño”. Sigue visitando a Joni una vez al mes para hablar sobre este negocio. Para obtener más información sobre Selam International Mart & Café, visite selamcafe.com
The Living History Foundation se fundó en febrero de 2018 cuando el primer grupo de personas se sentó alrededor de la mesa y ordenó la reunión. El año pasado, la organización recibió su estado 501 (C) (3) del IRS y presentó tres programas de historia de vida en el centro de Texas. Edgar B. Garza, presidente de la Junta de Living History Foundation, dijo: “La misión de la Fundación es inspirar a los niños y jóvenes de corazón a conocer las contribuciones de la gente de color en la construcción de esta gran nación del mundo. Tiempo antes de los primeros europeos hasta nuestros días.
“La historia es una parte importante de nuestra vida personal”, continuó Garza. “Es la clave para entender quiénes somos como humanos. Los jóvenes finalmente desarrollarán su propia perspectiva sobre la vida humana y la sociedad. Una que se basa en historias sobre personas comunes, como los jóvenes que están en el programa. También aprenderán de la gente común lecciones de coraje, liderazgo y protesta constructiva.
Es la primera vez que muchos de los miembros de la junta directiva forman parte de una organización sin fines de lucro, pero EGBI se reúne con los directores un par de veces al mes para ayudarles a poner todo junto. La junta se reunió en diciembre de 2018 para hacer planes para 2019, y Joni Foster, Directora de Programas de EGBI, facilitó la conversación. Manténgase atento a uno de los 12 programas de historia viva que la organización ofrecerá en los próximos meses. Para obtener más información sobre The Living History Foundation, visite facebook.com/livinghistoryfoundation.
Board members of Living History FoundationSalem Mart
Join us in San Antonio on November 7 for PeopleTalk with Elijah May of The Experience Firm.
Elijah May is co-founder and managing partner of The Experience Firm, a customer experience consultancy focused on building brands and driving word of mouth. Elijah’s career as a brand strategist spans over two decades and began at his alma mater, the University of Southern California, where he managed the University’s appearance in commercials, TV shows and movies. Since moving to Austin in 2006, he has launched numerous startups, lectured at every college and University in town, and designed customer experiences for some of the world’s most famous brands. His personal mission is to help companies realize the ROI of investing in people.
Certification 101: Overview and Application Forms Review
Thursday, November 15, 2018
The City of Austin’s Small & Minority Business Resources Department (SMBR) invites for-profit business owners interested in working with government contracts are invited to learn more about small and minority business enterprise certifications and how they can be used as a marketing tool for businesses that are qualified.
Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) for City of Austin funded contracts and projects
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) for federally-funded aviation, transportation, and highway projects such as Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Cap Metro), Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
Small Business Enterprise (SBE) which is a race and gender neutral certification for single scoped construction projects.
The City also has an agreement with the State of Texas to review applications for Historically Underutilized Business Enterprise (HUB) certification when application is submitted with MBE/WBE or DBE application. If approved, qualified HUB candidates will receive their certificate from the State of Texas.
