The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” highlights the significance of art in the business world. Hi Colour Graphics helps businesses attract their target audience with captivating visuals. They offer a variety of services, including logo and brand design, laser cutting and engraving, car wraps, and vinyl.
What inspired this vibrant business? Andres Rodrigues, the founder, describes: “We were inspired by the work of Ivel Paez, who has a degree in graphic design, and her work from Venezuela. We founded this company in 2021 and started with custom printing and design formats, which over time transformed into the services we offer today—because more than products, they are art and pieces that inspire and attract attention.”
Although a bright and lively business, there were times when things seemed dark. When asked what has been the biggest challenge he has faced as an entrepreneur and how he overcame it, Andres responds:
“I think, like many entrepreneurs, taking that leap into the unknown and away from economic stability was and has been the biggest challenge in starting a business, transforming, and becoming a business owner. The only formula I can say really works is persistence.” Just like a black hole lying at the center of a galaxy, taking a leap of faith into what seems like darkness and uncertainty can turn out to be rewarding. It can be the factor that shapes growth and helps you evolve. Andres emphasizes that the most rewarding part of working in the graphic design and the printing industry is seeing the excitement in clients when their vision becomes a reality and the results surpass their expectations. Showing support and gratitude to their community by working with non-profit foundations like Round Rock Service Center and Mama Sana Vibrant Women is fundamental to them. What advice would you give?
“Foundations are essential—meaning, getting training, trying not to do everything on your own, such as accounting and managing your business or business plan. I believe those are the most important factors.” Through experience, Andres learned not to handle everything yourself; EGBI has been a tool in his hands. “EGBI has been a great ally for our business. Their support and help through workshops, talks, and coaching have been fundamental for our company. Fortunately, we found EGBI through the Economic Development Department.”
If you would like to receive help from EGBI for your business, email hello@egbi.org .
Efren Loyola Jr. owns Native Scenery Landscapes, a landscaping business, where he oversees everything from customer service, to equipment and vehicle maintenance. Taking over the business from his dad, Efren Loyola Sr. realized his company wasn’t growing as well as other businesses were, and has been working full-time with Native Scenery Landscapes LLC since 2018.
His father didn’t set out to own a landscaping business, but began out of necessity to support his family. As he found steady work at a landscaping company, it was exactly what he needed at the time according to Jr., a “consistent paycheck and reliable hours, perfect for a young man with a wife and kids on the way.” Years later Sr. took a leap of faith and began working for himself after one of his former clients offered him a chance to maintain her property, and began building a loyal clientele through word of mouth. His job was for his kids to have more options than him, and so Jr. was able to be the first college graduate student in his family, from Texas A&M in Corpus Christi.
Working at Breckenridge Hospital in Austin for 2 years, Loyola Jr. became a travel nurse, where his assignments took him to Colorado Springs, Tucson, and then eventually back to San Antonio with his last contract. After traveling, he felt lost in his career and wasn’t sure he wanted to pursue nursing, so he moved home to regroup, and began helping his dad in the field like he did growing up.
“He used to take my brother and I to job sites, so being outside and working with my hands always felt familiar,” he said. “But now as an adult I started to see things differently.” He noticed how other companies had newer equipment, and branded trucks, and wondered how they were thriving while his father was still using tools from 20 years ago, and wanted to know how these businesses were scaling so quickly while his dad’s wasn’t.
“It became clear to me that unless we modernized and adopted new technology, better branding, and more strategic business practices, my father’s business would eventually be left behind,” Loyola Jr. said. “I didn’t plan on taking over the business, but I couldn’t ignore what I saw and felt. I felt a responsibility to build on what my dad started, not just to honor his hard work, but to give it the structure and potential it always had.“
In 2018 he made the decision to establish Native Scenery Landscapes, LLC, with an initial client base made up entirely of his fathers longtime clients, which has been growing over the past years. Loyola Jr. Never had a thought in his mind that he would go into business.
“Growing up my parents always encouraged my siblings and me to focus on school so we could get good jobs and avoid the hard physical labor they had to endure,” he said. “I’m proud to say I followed that path, did well in school, and built a great career as a registered nurse. Now, I’ve taken everything I’ve learned and shifted my focus to building a successful business.”
“One of his biggest challenges so far has been taking on too much responsibility and never delegating tasks. Over the years, I kept adding to my plate but didn’t take the time to delegate, train, or empower my team properly. This led to a culture of micromanagement where nothing moved forward unless I gave the green light,” he said. “About two years ago, I realized how unsustainable that was, not just for the business, but for me personally.”
He also notes that his entire life had revolved around the business, and despite the years of sacrifice it wasn’t paying off financially in the way he thought it would. Since then, Loyola Jr. has been focused on letting go of control and shifting responsibilities to his team, to build a team that feels capable and empowered.
“I’ve come to understand that my fear of letting go was holding the business back and eroding the life I wanted to build,” he said. “That shift in mindset has been huge for both my personal growth and the company’s.” Since recently attending EGBI events, Loyola Jr. is now at a point in his business where he can step away to attend classes in public speaking and business strategy. He has learned and worked on removing his limiting beliefs. Currently he is a part of EGBI’s 60 day to business success with Nina Choi, noting it has been the catalyst he needed to take him to the next level of business.
Miguel Velez first came across Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the Fall of 2000 at 19 years old by accident in college. He needed an elective course that year and although he really wanted to do Hapkido, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was the only option that fit the schedule. He begrudgingly signed up for the class. On day 1, his instructor showed clips of “ Gracie in Action 2” on an old dvd copy. When he watched the video he said, “ It displayed the effectiveness of Jiu-Jitsu against other martial arts and how it focused on the most important yet neglected part of fighting…that 90% of altercations end up on the ground. Every match showed the same thing, the BJJ practitioner would close the distance, clinch, take their opponent down, and then tap them out.”
Before he entered Jiu-Jitsu his assumption of how it was, was wrong and he became instantly hooked. After he had passed the course, He enrolled in the Academy and made it part of his life ever since. Miguel knew he wanted to make this passion into a business. His wife had just passed the State Bar of Texas, which soon after they got pregnant. After their daughter was born they had decided it would be best for Miguel to stay home. At the same time, his instructor needed a few more part time coaches to help build the program, so began to be a stay at home dad during the day and BJJ coach at night which he said was a pretty cool routine.
As he became more confident in his abilities, he told himself “When the time is right…I could probably do this but I have no idea where to start. His wife and him both knew Scarlett would grow up and not need him at home one day so they began discussing future plans for him to return back to work. September of 2023 is when he started the process of finding answers to make his dream a reality. Jiu-Jitsu had always been a part of his life. He would constantly joke with his wife, Aimee, saying, “I’m finally gonna use my business degree from Texas Tech.” She would remind him that he has been using it this entire time.
When he first started his business there were some challenges he had to overcome which tend to cross over with each other. One of the struggles was students. He needed to find a healthy balance between training life, work life and family life. He kept pushing himself to train with other black belts out there that can make you question why anyone would subject themselves to this.
The second challenge was coaching. To him as a coach and a leader he wanted to share his knowledge to the students to make sense to everyone in different levels of experience while keeping the students engaged.
The last challenge was being a business owner. Taking his experiences as a student and coach then asking himself, “Am I really capable of taking my passion for the last 25 years and turning it into a successful operation? Do I have the tools to understand Administration? Bookkeeping? Taxes? Marketing? Conflict Resolution?”
The imposter syndrome and self doubt would kick in. He says, “They used to show their ugly faces from time to time but not anymore. I know I can do this.” When he decided it was time to pursue this endeavor, their financial advisor gave him a list of checkpoints to reach. He said that part took a few years to get done. Afterwards, he scheduled an appt. with his local bank, Bank of America, an SMB officer and from there they were introduced to the amazing resources from the City of Austin Economic Development Department. He scheduled his live BizAid orientation and discovered CDFIs PeopleFund and organizations like Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI).
“EGBI helped provide the knowledge and confidence I needed to make this passion a reality. “I’ve taken 4 courses: Manage Your Business, Bookkeeping Series, Marketing Workshop, Minority Certification from them over the last year and I cannot stress enough how their guidance filled in the missing gaps. Their friendly and welcoming approach has been crucial in preparing us. I plan to take the 60 Days to Success course and connect with other small business owners at future Lunch and Learns. “
What Miguel wants to teach people in Jiu-Jitsu is to believe in themselves and build them up. He wants to show people there are so many awesome results from consistent BJJ training. Self discipline, self defense, flexibility, core development, self confidence, and weight loss. There’s also a social aspect to their Academy. They want to build a community. A place where families come together for a common goal. They will start with Gi Jiu-Jitsu for children, teens, and adults. He says that a big part of this training incorporates both Judo and Wrestling takedowns. When they’ve grown a large enough student base, NoGi Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Yoga programs will be implemented.
Miguel feels like balance is important when it comes to handling your business and your day to day life. So when he’ss not at the gym getting smashed or prepping for tournaments, he 100% enjoys spending time with his family and making memories. His wife, Aimee, and daughter, Scarlett, love going to the water park, watching movies, cooking, playing video games, going on trips, lazy Saturday nights on the couch together, and raising their new puppy, Cookie. Recently, Scarlett just discovered Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga on the PS5. It’s something they get to do together and now she’s a superfan of anything Star Wars. He really enjoys spending time with his family and he says, “It’s been really cool introducing my 8yr old to the lore like my dad did for me.” Lastly, something Miguel would tell people that don't know too much about Jiu-Jitsu is, “Jiu-Jitsu isn’t about hurting people. It’s about learning how not to get hurt while staying calm, thinking clearly, and using leverage over force. When trained properly, it’s one of the safest martial arts because of the tap system and constant mutual respect.”
If you would like to get in contact with miguel to learn more about his company you can call him at 512-850-7784 or you can go to his website at https://clanvelez.com/
If you would like to help start or grow your business please be sure to reach out to us at hello@egbi.org
Carlos Nazario is a business coach and tax advisor. He has quite an impressive background as both a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and a JD (Juris Doctor). He is currently the CEO of Tax Man Consulting, a tax preparation service for driven entrepreneurs. Carlos does a lot of the managing that is involved with the service. He recruits and trains clients, as well as signing them contracts. He supervised them and their work, with a flexible stance. Carlos is also involved with the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI), and supports many of the small businesses related to the organization.
In his earlier years, Carlos spent time in his father’s office where he studied and developed an interest in taxes. He met his father’s friend and counselor: a CPA and lawyer who would later mentor Carlos. This lawyer saw potential and advised Carlos to get a bachelor’s degree in accounting then law. Following this advice, Carlos got his bachelor’s in accounting and his JD from the University of Puerto Rico, setting a strong educational foundation for his dual‑discipline approach. After 9 years of study, he was ready to enter the professional world.
Carlos gained experience at both big 8 and smaller accounting firms, giving him a broad view of the industry and an appreciation for the unique challenges faced by small businesses. Carlos discovered that he appreciated the small mom and pops shops that are often overlooked. The opportunity to see these small businesses grow is what keeps him determined in his job. This led him to discover Taxman Consulting as he could apply both his accounting and legal knowledge while directly supporting the growth of small businesses
His passion for small business success is what led Carlos to get involved with EGBI. For him, giving back to the community is more than just a good deed—it’s a way to pay forward the knowledge and mentorship he received early in his career. “EGBI is full of resources and real knowledge,” he says. “It’s rewarding to see businesses go from an idea to something sustainable and profitable.”
One of Carlos’s most notable mentorship experiences was with a client who wanted to open a preschool.They were struggling at first to form the idea and execute the business plan. They weren’t sure if this was the right design and needed advice. Carlos stepped in to help them navigate everything from regulations to logistics. There was a lot of potential in this idea since the demand for preschools was very high at the time. He encouraged them to start small by converting part of their home into a childcare space. Within three months, they were up and running. The business grew quickly, and they eventually purchased a second facility. Carlos is now helping them expand into that space as well. Their first year brought it a great profit showing how success can come with the right idea, execution and guidance.
When asked what advice he’d give to aspiring entrepreneurs, Carlos is quick to emphasize the importance of being prepared. “Take advantage of organizations like EGBI,” he says. “Know what resources are out there. Build relationships with a banker, with a CPA. Know who to call and when to call them. Planning and having a good network are everything.”
Overall, Carlos Nazario’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right guidance and a willingness to give back, it’s possible to make a real difference in the lives of others. Through his work, he’s helping build stronger, more empowered small businesses, as well as giving back to the community. If you would like support in starting or running a business from EGBI, click the link below. https://egbi.org/
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
