By Heidi Gomez-Garcia
Lorena Zuniga was born and raised in Austin, Texas. From a young age, she knew she wanted to become an entrepreneur. In her early twenties, that dream became reality when she opened and operated her own hair salon. Inspired by her grandfather’s entrepreneurial spirit, Lorena developed a passion for running her own business.
However, not everyone shared her enthusiasm. Her parents, both employed in government and state positions, were hesitant about her career path. They encouraged her to pursue what they considered a more stable, “real” job. Despite their concerns, Lorena’s salon was thriving at the time. One evening , while being out, she reconnected with an old friend who mentioned how well
things were going at her workplace. Half-joking, Lorena asked for help landing an interview—and to her surprise, it worked. That opportunity led her to a new career path in the title industry.
Lorena began working at AMCap Mortgage, LTD, a title agency. For those unfamiliar, title agencies are essential players in real estate and business development. As a Business Development Representative, Lorena played a key role in driving growth, building relationships, and expanding the agency’s client base. Over the years, she gained valuable experience working with several different title companies.
It was during this time that Lorena discovered her love for B2B—business-to-
business—interactions. Unlike working directly with consumers, B2B allowed her to engage with individuals who already understood the industry, eliminating the need to explain the basics of her work. This shift brought her a greater sense of fulfillment and efficiency.
When asked how she first learned about the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI), Lorena shared that it was through Monica, a friend and colleague who had been involved in supporting small businesses even before joining EGBI. Lorena admired Monica’s dedication and was excited to support her when she began working with the organization.
What resonated most with Lorena was EGBI’s mission to help entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. Having experienced the challenges of entrepreneurship herself, she understands the importance of that support. She continues to be inspired by the work EGBI does and enjoys watching Monica thrive in her role, driven by a shared passion for empowering others.
If you would like to help start or grow your business please be sure to reach out to us at hello@egbi.org