Rogers’ banking journey began at age 18 at NationsBank (now known as Bank of America), where his sister had gotten him an interview. Initially, he hadn’t wanted to go into banking, but took the interview and got the job. He got the job as a teller and continued working from there.
Today, Rogers works at Cadence Bank as the commercial relationship manager and owns two businesses: a photo booth business and a commercial cleaning move-out business. He said his primary goal for starting these businesses was to maximize his income for his family in the long term, and his freedom, so he no longer will have to work a 9-5 in the future.
In 2006, Rogers acquired a trucking company and 18-wheelers to haul agriculture, mainly in Corpus Christi. Most businesses are cyclical, meaning they are seasonal, and in agriculture, there is planting to harvest.
“This operates about 7 months out of any 12-month calendar year, to which you have to offset your business by finding other loads to carry,” Rogers said.
What he would do in those cases was have things called reefer vans and dry vans. So they had refrigerator trucks, and haul general freight interstate throughout the US.
With plans of not remaining in banking for the rest of his life, Rogers said his mom and pop businesses he owns will generate enough income to step down from the 9-to-5.
“I will leverage a portion of that income into developing either rentals or ADU’s primarily in South Texas,” he said. “I am also currently researching to open up a string of laundromats as well.”
Rogers used to work with the CDFI People Fund, where he had come across EGBI, because they would service with technical assistance to some of the clients that they could not in instances of overflow.
“When there were classes like this based on marketing and business, cash flow management, taxes, even if our classes were full, then we would send our individuals and clientele over to EGBI, and they did a great job,” he said.
Rogers said he loves the fact that EGBI helps minorities.
“I love the passion of everyone that works for the organization, and I look forward to their growth and success in the future.”
Who is Dulce Garcia? Dulce has her own cleaning company, Dulce Cleaning. She wanted to start her own company to take care of her family and at the same time offer a service that truly makes a difference. With this purpose in mind, she realized that the cleaning business was what she wanted to do. Not only because it met the requirements she was looking for, but because she could apply her work ethic, her love for tidy organization, and her desire to help others reclaim their clean and healthy space.
Dulce’s business is not just about cleaning, she is proud to see how far she has come, and to know that by leaving a clean home, she is helping to create a more pleasant home environment for her clients. This business not only leaves her clients satisfied, it also brings Dulce satisfaction to see how she has been able to build her own business.
Another quality that sets Dulce’s business apart from any other cleaning company is that her team treats each client with respect and dedication. They focus on understanding the specific needs of each client, seeking to exceed their expectations, and with every job completed, she strengthens the trust her clients place in her business.
She considers EGBI as a fundamental pillar for the development of her business. They provided her with advice, workshops, and tools to help her better understand how to manage her own business, from finances to marketing to promote her services. What she values most has been the constant energetic support she has received from EGBI in the process of growing her business.
Dulce advises people who want to start their own business to be determined and open-minded.
“You don’t need to have everything figured out from the beginning, but you do need determination and a willingness to learn,” she said. “And yes, I would definitely recommend EGBI. They give you the knowledge, support, and confidence to keep going, even when challenges arise.”
What is Dulce’s vision for her company in the next five years?
In five years, she would like to see her company more established, with a larger team, and providing services in more areas of the city. She wants to continue training to improve her processes and perhaps be able to offer new services. Most importantly, she wishes to keep operating while maintaining her values: Quality, Responsibility and Empathy.
Thank you Dulce for letting EGBI be part of your story.
If you would like to start or grow your business, feel free to contact us by email at hello@egbi.org. Learn more.
Alina Tapia Romero, founder of Eazy Start Insurance, turned childhood dreams and real-life challenges into a thriving Austin-based business. Born in Guanajuato, Mexico, and brought to the U.S. at age 7 after losing her mother, Alina found her calling in the insurance industry by chance but built her agency with purpose.
In 2021, with a vision to educate and empower her community through accessible, honest insurance guidance, Alina launched Eazy Start Insurance. The name was inspired by a client who told her, “It’s so easy to get insurance with you because your character makes it easy.” That simple compliment became the brand’s identity and what sets it apart.
Alina was introduced to EGBI while preparing to open her business. She credits the organization with helping her understand the foundational steps of launching and running a business. From business planning to marketing strategies, EGBI’s support gave her the confidence to move forward.
As her agency grew, Alina chose to give back, volunteering with EGBI to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs. Her goal is to help others the same way she was helped: through guidance, encouragement, and shared experience. She remains an active supporter of EGBI’s mission and continues to uplift others in her community.
Today, Alina dreams of expanding Eazy Start Insurance across Texas, and sees EGBI as a continuing partner, ready to help at any step in that journey.
If you would like to find out more about EGBI’s business coaching, please visit this link https://egbi.org/coach/.
In both 2024 and 2025 the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) was recognized by the working parents organization for being the best place for working parents® in both years.
The working parents organization is a national initiative that recognizes and celebrates businesses that support working parents and their families. They provide resources and information to businesses on how to help and accommodate working parents and their families.
EGBI got this award by demonstrating excellence in offering policies such as flexible work hours, parental leave, and wellness benefits. All of their clients are satisfied with how EGBI has worked hard to provide resources and help for all families or any color and background.
“The award reflects our belief that taking care of our team is essential to serving our community—when our clients thrive, so does our mission, and we like to take it the extra mile, when our clients come to our business coaching sessions, they can bring their kids. We have coloring books, legos, and toys for them to play. When our clients need to bring their kids, as long as they are well behaved, they can stay in the classroom. Sometimes the kids are more invested in the workshops than the parents. This is a reflection of who we are as an organization,” asserted Larissa Davila, Executive Director of the organization.
In May of 2023, the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) won an award for being the #1 Business Accelerator through dedication to their clients and the hard work their team put into it. They got this reward through the Austin Business Journal (ABJ) by having the most companies going through their program in 2022.
The Austin Business Journal provides local news, data, and networking around businesses in the city of Austin. They cover various industries like real estate, retail, commercial, restaurants, and more! Other things they do include the publishing of a book called “Book of lists”, which rank various businesses in specific categories, and hosting events for business professionals.
“This recognition from ABJ was a testament to the hard work of our team and the incredible entrepreneurs we had the privilege to work with. We were excited to have built momentum and to continue driving success for businesses here in Austin and beyond,” said Monica Peña, community relations director at the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI).
In March of 2025 the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) was awarded the Promising practice award by the Central Texas Learning Festival (SXSW EDU). The Central Texas Learning Festival is a regional showcase held during SXSW EDU, part of the larger SXSW festival. They bring together a wide variety of educators to share new ideas and highlight programs that are community driven and that value inclusivity and equality.
“This award affirmed the real-world impact of our nontraditional teaching methods and our role in shaping inclusive, community-centered learning opportunities. We are extremely honored to receive this award and to be a partner of the Central Texas Learning Festival since its inception,” Monica Peña, Community Relations Director of EGBI stated.
EGBI got awarded the Promising practice award by working to educate business owners with limited access to resources and help them strive for excellence. EGBI meets people where they are and help them grow as confident entrepreneurs
In 2024 and 2025 the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) received the Platinum Seal of Transparency, which acknowledges organizations that are not only transparent about their operations, but also demonstrate a deep commitment to accountability, effectiveness, and the trust of their stakeholders. EGBI had to get the bronze, gold, and silver seal before qualifying for the platinum seal of transparency. They received this reward from Candid in both years.
Candid is a non-profit that provides data about the social sector. They help other non-profits find funding, access resources, and to support the right organizations. Essentially they help connect people to the resources they need to succeed in life.
“We are deeply grateful to Candid for this recognition and to all of our supporters who make this work possible. Together, we can continue to drive meaningful change, one transparent step at a time.” concluded Jose Lopez, the Programs Director of the Economic Growth Business Accelerator (EGBI).
Austin, TX – 2024 – Patricia Bedford, owner of Suga’s Cakery, has been honored as one of the 2024 Top 40 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs of Central Texas by the Austin Black Business Journal. This recognition highlights her entrepreneurial excellence, community impact, and leadership in supporting Black-owned businesses. A client of the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) since 2019, Bedford is a trailblazer whose journey from engineering to cake artistry is both inspiring and deeply rooted in family tradition.
From Engineer to Cake Artist – A Legacy of Sweet Success
A native Austinite, Bedford holds a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Baylor University and spent over a decade in engineering, specializing in testing, product development, and client support. However, after the passing of her beloved grandmother, affectionately known as “Suga”, Bedford felt compelled to continue her grandmother’s culinary legacy.
Determined to honor Suga’s memory, she began baking cakes and mastering cake artistry. Encouraged by family and friends, she launched Suga’s Cakery, a custom cake shop specializing in event catering and dietary-friendly treats. Today, her business is known for high-quality, beautifully crafted cakes that bring joy to special occasions across Central Texas.
A Leader in the Black Business Community
Beyond her success as an entrepreneur, Bedford is a dedicated advocate for Black-owned businesses in Central Texas. She serves as the Vice President of the Pflugerville Black Business Builders (PBBB), where she actively supports business education and networking opportunities.
As VP, she played a pivotal role in organizing the Inaugural PBBB Business Symposium in collaboration with the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation (PCDC). The event brought together 50+ business owners for a day of learning and networking with industry leaders, including representatives from Google, Facebook, the Secretary of State’s Office, CPAs, and intellectual property attorneys.
Bedford also serves as a liaison between PBBB and key organizations, including:
Pflugerville Community Development Corporation
Pflugerville Downtown Association
Pflugerville City Council
Her advocacy efforts have been instrumental in policy changes, including supporting a city ordinance allowing food trucks within Pflugerville city limits. She currently serves on the Downtown East Community Stakeholder Committee and has been a member of the CEDS 2.0 Steering Committee with PCDC.
Passions Beyond Business
When she’s not running her business or advocating for local entrepreneurs, Bedford enjoys cooking, entertaining, and spending time with family and friends. A former clarinetist, she aspires to learn the piano in the future.
Contact & More Information
For custom cakes, event catering, and dietary-friendly treats, visit Suga’s Cakery at: 1100 Grand Ave. Pkwy Suite 112, Pflugerville, TX (512) 262-9983 Info@sugascakery.com www.sugascakery.com
In 2024 the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) earned the award Grow with Google – High impact Partner from the search engine Google. Grow with Google is an initiative that offers free digital skills and tools to individuals, nonprofits, and small businesses.
EGBI got this award by integrating Google’s resources into their work. They’ve helped hundreds of entrepreneurs gain critical digital skills, such as setting up websites, creating digital marketing campaigns, and managing their businesses using cloud-based tools.
“This recognition highlights our role in bridging the digital divide for small business owners who face challenges in accessing technology or digital resources. We are super proud of it, and we will continue to work on our partnership with Google to remain a High Impact Partner on a yearly basis. These tools are very powerful for small business owners, and we want to deliver them to them within our community,” stated Jose Lopez, director of programs at the local accelerator.
Austin, TX – 2024 – The 2024 FAVE Awards celebrate local businesses that exemplify resiliency, adaptability, and innovation, supporting their customers, employees, and the community. This year, I Am Ready Swim, founded by Miranda Collins, was honored as the FAVE Innovative Company of 2024 by the Austin Young Chamber. Miranda is a client of EGBI since 1018, and is now an ambassador of the organization.
I Am Ready Swim provides top-tier aquatic and management services for community pools and commercial facilities, prioritizing safety, high-quality service, and exceptional customer care. The company is also dedicated to giving back to the communities it serves, reinforcing its mission of promoting aquatic safety and community engagement.
About Miranda Collins & The Journey of I Am Ready Swim
Miranda Collins, formerly Miranda Melendez, discovered her passion for water safety at age 18 as a swim instructor and lifeguard. Tragedy struck during her senior year when she lost her mother, prompting her to reflect on her future and pursue work that truly fulfilled her.
Determined to create a business that aligned with her love for teaching kids water safety and preventing water accidents, she continued offering swim lessons after high school. Her big break came when she was offered the lifeguarding contract at the community pool where she had taught for years. With the support of her husband, Dajour, she took a leap of faith—investing their entire savings to launch I Am Ready Swim.
A Thriving, Minority-Owned Business Serving Central Texas
Since its inception, I Am Ready Swim has grown significantly, now employing over 100 individuals every pool season across Austin, Pflugerville, Hutto, Georgetown, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Manor, and Buda. The company offers a range of aquatic services, including Lifeguarding, Swim instruction, Pool monitoring, Pool cleaning, & Janitorial services for pools and community facilities.
Miranda and her husband, Dajour, continue to lead the company with a strong commitment to safety, community service, and innovation. Under Ready Up Aquatics, Dajour oversees the pool monitors, lifeguards, and maintenance teams, ensuring top-quality service at every location.
Contact & Learn More
For more information about I Am Ready Swim and its services, visit: 🌐 www.iamreadyswim.com 📞 Call: (512) 872-1176
