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About The Event

Join us at the Norris Conference Center for an

engaging and inspiring event.

2525 West Anderson Lane #365, Austin, TX 78757

Wednesday, August 26th

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Doors Open: 10:30 AM
Showcase: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Program: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

At EGBI, we help turn dreams into businesses and businesses into lasting impact.

Our clients come to us ready to build something powerful, but too often, barriers stand in the way. They may not know how to register their business, lack access to resources in their language, or face growth opportunities without the structure to sustain them.

We start where they are. And when those barriers are removed, the impact is life-changing. Businesses are launched. Families gain stability. Dreams like college and homeownership become reality. Jobs are created, and communities grow stronger.
The ripple effect is powerful.

That’s what we’re celebrating.

And we want you to be part of it.

Why Celebrating Success Matters

This event is a celebration of resilience.

In a time when Austin’s small business owners are navigating high rents, inflation, and economic uncertainty, they continue to show up, push forward, and create. They juggle families, late nights, and rising costs to open storefronts, launch services, and build something lasting.

Celebrating Success is our moment to pause and honor that grit. It’s a space where stories of growth and determination take center stage, where our business owners are no longer behind the counter, but in the spotlight.

You’ll get the chance to meet the people who are building the future of Austin’s economy, up close and personal. Walk the vendor fair, hear directly from the Business Owner of the Year, and feel the impact of our mission through stories, smiles, and shared joy. If you’ve ever donated to EGBI, sponsored our work, or cheered us on, this is where you’ll see your investment in action. And if you’re new to us, it’s the perfect way to get connected.

The Impact You’re Part Of

In 2025, EGBI provided over 1,260 hours of individual coaching, offered 391 hours of classroom instruction, and graduated 160 participants from our workshop series.

Since our founding, we’ve supported over 1,500 new business launches, contributed to the creation of more than 3,000 jobs, and provided more than 6,000 hours of one-on-one coaching.

And here’s the part we’re most proud of:
For every $1 invested in EGBI, the local business owners we serve report generating more than $56 in revenue in Central Texas.

Every $20 donated helps produce more than $1,000 in local economic impact.

This isn’t just business growth, it’s families thriving, communities reinvesting, and local economies becoming more equitable.

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Event MC, Claudia Talamantez

Claudia Talamantez is a dynamic community influencer, bilingual on-air personality with Televisa Univision Austin, midday talent on Amor 107.7, and trusted Austin-area Realtor®. With over 23 years in media, Claudia has built strong community connections through television, radio, and public engagement. She is also a real estate investor passionate about wellness, entrepreneurship, self-development, and empowering others through meaningful conversations and community impact.

Join us for an evening of celebration, meaningful conversations, and community impact as Claudia helps guide us through the stories, successes, and resilience behind Austin’s incredible business community.

Hear from Austin Economic Development Department, Xavier Zarate

Xavier serves as the Division Manager for the Austin Economic Development Department Small Business Division. He leads a team of seasoned small business professionals that develop and deliver supportive programming and services to strengthen Austin’s Small business ecosystem, catalyze the creation of new businesses and existing businesses to grow and thrive.

Mr. Zarate offers expertise in financial and operations management with over 24 years of private and public sector experience. He has designed, and executed several high impact City of Austin- Economic Development initiatives and advised on the development of successful public-private partnerships. A few of these projects include launching new access to capital programming, negotiating service agreements with local chambers of commerce, and new partnerships with federal small business agencies for greater local support.

He holds a BBA in finance and an MBA in finance from St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas; is certified both as an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) and an Accredited Small Business Consultant (ASBC), and a member of The Texas Economic Development Council

Lifetime Achievement Award

Yolanda Davila is senior vice president and Southwest territory executive of PNC’s Community Development Banking encompassing Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. In this role, she leads community development lending, investment, and community outreach strategies, Community Reinvestment Act performance, and led the regional implementation of PNC’s $88 billion 2022-25 commitment to bolster economic opportunities in low-and moderate-income communities.

Davila joined PNC through the BBVA USA acquisition and has over a decade of senior leadership experience with the bank. Her professional career also includes 10 years as a Texas Legislative Budget Board senior analyst where she worked with various stakeholders including members of the legislature, state and local agencies, and state service recipients conducting state agency performance reviews resulting in efficiencies, cost savings, and increased revenues.

Active in the community, Davila is a member of the board for LiftFund, chair of the IDEA Public Schools Texas regional board and former chair of PeopleFund, Workers Defense Project, and Foundation Communities. She is a roundtable member of the Texas Association of Community Development Corporations. Davila is a proud mother of 2, first-generation college graduate receiving a BA in Political Science from Williams College in Massachusetts, and a MPA from the LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas in Austin.

Meet our Business Highlight,

Roque Bocanegra

Roque Bocanegra is originally from Guanajuato, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States in 2009 at the age of 19. After spending eight years working in construction, he co-founded RBG Construction in 2017 alongside four partners, beginning with a small framing crew focused on residential homes.

Like many business owners, Roque faced significant challenges in the early years, including financial losses during the company’s first year. Through perseverance, strategic growth, and a strong work ethic, RBG Construction expanded into a respected company with nearly 90 employees and annual revenues reaching $3.5 million.

Following a difficult downturn in the residential market in 2023, Roque and his team successfully pivoted into commercial construction. After submitting nearly 200 bids over two years, the company secured its first commercial contract valued at $250,000, marking a major milestone and a new chapter of growth.

Today, RBG Construction is a stable and growing company generating more than $1 million in annual revenue, serving both residential and commercial clients. In 2026, the company is preparing to begin its first government contract, continuing its commitment to growth, resilience, and excellence in the construction industry.

Words from EGBI’s Board Secretary, Daniel Bennet

Daniel Bennett serves as Branch Manager at WaFd Bank, where he partners closely with small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations across Central Texas. With both undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, Daniel has built his career around helping individuals and organizations achieve long-term growth and success.

Beyond banking, Daniel is deeply committed to community leadership and nonprofit service. He currently serves as Board Secretary for EGBI, Board Chair of Little Bit of Good, and President of the Austin chapter of National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). Through these leadership roles, he actively supports entrepreneurship, financial literacy, professional development, and community outreach initiatives throughout the Austin area.

Daniel is recognized for his relationship-centered leadership style, practical business insight, and authentic dedication to empowering people, businesses, and organizations to thrive.

Meet our Volunteer of the Year,

Maria Elena Rivera

Maria Elena Rivera is the Owner of Monarca Bookkeeping & Tax Services, a Central Texas-based firm providing bookkeeping, payroll review, financial reporting support, and accounting process improvement services for businesses and organizations.

With more than 26 years of experience in bookkeeping and financial operations, Maria has worked with organizations across industries including healthcare, technology, transportation, professional services, private schools, funeral homes, and small businesses. Her expertise includes bank reconciliations, payroll review, financial reporting support, month-end close procedures, bookkeeping system evaluations, and accounting staff training.

Maria is passionate about helping organizations strengthen their financial processes and improve accuracy and efficiency. She is also committed to supporting entrepreneurs through financial education and community involvement, volunteering with the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) and serving as a guest instructor for Prairie View A&M University Extension’s BID Academy.

Maria holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Instituto Tecnológico de Nuevo Laredo and is a QuickBooks ProAdvisor.

Meet our Ambassador of the Year,

Ivan Garcia

Ivan Garcia is the Vice President of Lending and Community Manager at SouthStar Bank, bringing 15 years of expertise in mortgage lending. He is committed to expanding SouthStar Bank’s presence in Austin’s Eastern Crescent and is passionate about creating homeownership opportunities in historically underserved communities. Ivan also serves as the Government Affairs Chair for the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) Austin Chapter and was recognized as a NAHREP Top 100 Regional Loan Officer in 2021.

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