Meet Cristina Valdés, an amazing EGBI supporter. Since 2001, Cristina Valdés has helped clients buy, sell, and invest in real estate in Austin, Texas. As a top-rated REALTOR® in Austin, she has directed her efforts towards exceeding clients’ expectations before, during, and after each transaction. Clients trust in her quality service, and as a result, they develop long-term relationships and friendships. These relationships have enabled her to work exclusively by referral and helped her become a top REALTOR® in Austin.
Cristina talks about her experience in supporting EGBI and how you can too.
Hi Cristina! To get started would you mind telling us a fun fact about yourself?
I love coordinating new experiences for people. Wine tastings and pub crawls are my favorite!
What does giving back to the community mean to you?
Supporting the community means being an example of leadership with special regard to our youth. Providing a space of inspiration, continued education, and being a resource to help our community in their goals to accomplish generational wealth.
“EGBI is successful in helping minority business owners build generational wealth.” – Cristina Valdés
How did you first hear about EGBI and why did you decide to support EGBI?
Pilar Sanchez and Barbra Boeta introduced me to EGBI and I immediately loved the concept because I understand how hard it is to start a business. During the uncertainty of COVID, Barbra shared such helpful information with me about available funding and support. Thankfully, my industry actually did really well throughout it all, but I also appreciated having a resource who was willing to help me. After that, I decided to start supporting EGBI with larger donations. EGBI helps bridge that knowledge gap when it comes to starting a business and is a wonderful resource to all small business owners in the area.
What do you wish everyone knew about EGBI?
EGBI is one of the best resources around for small businesses. I have spent so much money on coaching over the years and know that if I had started out with the knowledge that EGBI offers, life would have been loads easier for me.
What would you say to someone thinking of supporting and donating to EGBI?
Donate as much as you can because this organization improves the lives of minority business owners, their families and employees.
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Donate today to help EGBI train, coach, and support aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.
Meet Josue, a Texan native: born in Dallas, but has called Austin home since 2011. Josue was the first of his family to graduate from college- a major accomplishment he and his family are very proud of. He has been a lender for the past 8+ years spending the last 2 1/2 years with BancorpSouth Bank. Here he uses his skills to help consumers and business owners meet their finance needs. A fun fact about Josue is that he and his wife had a destination wedding and got married in New York City! It was around the Christmas Holidays, which made the day even more special.
Josue shares his experience as a volunteer with EGBI and how you can get involved too.
Hi Josue! To get started, would you mind telling us another fun fact about yourself?
I am a “foodie” so I love to try out different restaurants. 🙂
How have you volunteered at EGBI?
This past year, I have taught financial classes via Zoom for EGBI. I got to know many business owners and share my experience in the financial industry. By being involved, it made me feel part of the EGBI family and helped me get a better understanding of what EGBI does to help the community.
Why do you think it is important to volunteer?
I think it’s important to volunteer because it allows you to meet new people and build a community. We all love to make new friends.
“EGBI is a strong resource to help dreams become a reality in the small business world. Supporting EGBI helps accomplish that mission!”– Josue Limon
Why is it important to volunteer at EGBI?
Volunteering at EGBI helps aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners meet and accomplish their purpose for Austin’s small business community.
Do you have a favorite experience about volunteering with EGBI?
There are so many, but overall my favorite experience was meeting so many diverse small businesses and owners. I’ve made so many friends along the way and I am very proud to provide my service where it is needed.
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In 2020, EGBI volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Volunteers like Josue make this possible and continue to help EGBI pursue their mission of training ,coaching, and supporting aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.
Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how you can get involved.
Meet Larissa, a Texan native, born and raised in a small town near the Mexico/US border called Laredo. Larissa graduated from Texas A&M International University with a bachelor degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. She has worked for big corporations such as FedEx, Sony and IBM, but she really loves working with small business owners. For her, small businesses are like little miracles that grow against all odds: very strong and resilient. Larissa loves her heritage and blends in very well with her community– embracing her roots and trying to pass them along to her son. One thing about her is that she loves helping and connecting with people; Larissa sees it like an art that is perfected with time.
Larissa shares her experience as a volunteer with EGBI and how you can get involved too.
Hi Larissa! To get started, would you mind telling us a fun fact about yourself?
I love hiking and going to HEB. While it sounds funny, I really can’t picture myself living in any other state than Texas, the hot weather is also a big plus, although we have been getting colder in the last couple of years, living in the hot weather is my prerogative. I like to travel, but I always love to come back to home in Central Texas.
How have you volunteered for EGBI?
I have volunteered doing logos for small business owners and sharing my knowledge in classes for EGBI clients in business and marketing. I am also part of the marketing committee.
Why do you think it is important to volunteer?
It is important to volunteer because we are a community and we grow together. Besides, I have been the recipient of a lot of knowledge and help, so it is only fair that I give back. We need to keep the knowledge and the good energy flowing, it is good for the spirit.
“’Cuando ayudamos a un emprendedor a ser más estratégico para capitalizar sus talentos, ayudamos a toda su familia a tener una mejor calidad de vida, el apoyo que damos como voluntarios en EGBI es exponencial. Los conocimientos no se agotan, se multiplican.’
[Meaning: When we help small business owners to be more strategic to capitalize their talents, we help their whole family to have a better quality of life, the volunteer service we do in EGBI is exponential. Knowledge is never depleted, it is multiplied.]” – Larissa Davila
Do you have a favorite experience about volunteering with EGBI?
Yes! I have made a few logos for clients, and it is amazing to see them excited about the new company image. It is a really nice feeling to know I have helped someone professionalize their brand.
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In 2020, EGBI volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Volunteers like Larissa make this possible and continue to help EGBI pursue their mission of training ,coaching, and supporting aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.
Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how you can get involved.
Centrally located in the vibrant Saltillo Lofts, Method.Hair has assembled a team of some of Austin’s most eclectic, seasoned stylists in an effort to offer every client a fashion-forward and high quality experience. Known for its award-winning team of cut and color specialists, Method.Hair has become one of the most sought-after salons since its inception in July of 2006.
We were proud to have a conversation with Sarah Statham of Method.Hair about their entrepreneur journey, challenges during COVID-19, how EGBI has assisted them through coaching, and how she has beenfited from EGBI’s bookkeeping services. We were joined by Christopher Rios of Texas Capital Bank. With the help of Texas Capital Bank, we were able to start our bookkeeping services.
Interview with Sarah Statham of Method.Hair below.
Royal Arms Cleaning services specializes in cleaning commercial spaces for various industries, including, but not limited to offices, schools, retail, medical, industrial/manufacturing, restaurants, dealerships, religious facilities, event venues, etc. The company offers full cleaning services in the general night clean: vacuum, sweep and mop, garbage/recycling removal, kitchen/breakroom, restroom, etc. Additional services provided: day porter, deep clean; make-ready (move in/move out) service, post-construction clean up, window cleaning, carpet cleaning, water extraction, floor maintenance (strip and wax, machine scrub and recoat, and spray buff), power washing, and disinfecting (fogger). They use hospital grade disinfectant products that help to eliminate viruses, germs, and more.
We were proud to have a conversation with Anne Hardin, coowner of Royal Arms Cleaning, LLC about their entrepreneur journey, challenges during COVID-19, how EGBI has assisted them through coaching, and much more. We were also joined with our supporter Cristina Valdés, local realtor with Realty Austin.
Lucero was born and raise in North Mexico and now happily living and raising my little family in Austin, Texas. She created Lucero Photography due to her passion of digital photography. She does professional headshots, family photos, and product photography.
We were proud to have a conversation with Lucero Valle-Archuleta about her entrepreneur journey, challenges during COVID-19, how she has pivoted her business, how EGBI has assisted her through coaching, and more. We were joined by Allison Lujan with Moody Bank as moderator. Thank you ladies for the great conversation.
Interview with Lucero Valle-Archuleta of Lucero Photography below.
