By Diana Garcia

Meet Pilar Sanchez. In 2000, she was responsible for starting another Housing Authority City of Austin (HACA) subsidiary, SHCC, from the ground up. SHCC now generates the revenue to fund the social services provided by Austin Pathways, the non-profit she currently leads at HACA. 

Sanchez’s entrepreneurial spirit was instrumental in co-founding a business incubator in East Austin in 2008. Sanchez brokered a three-tiered partnership between her employer, the Housing Authority (HACA), the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC), and the Hispanic Technology Institute of Austin (HTIA) to start an incubator that would help small to medium business thrive and create new jobs during the recession. This became the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI), which spun off as its own independent non-profit in 2010. HACA still supports EGBI in many ways; they provide the space at Eastland Plaza, and have provided over $1 Million in funding for operations since 2010.

 

As a co-founder and lifelong EGBI volunteer, Pilar hopes that EGBI can encourage others to not only support themselves but to also support their families, friends, and community through the value of philanthropy. 

Pilar shares a quick fun fact about herself. “While my mother taught me to be a strong, independent, and caring person, she never taught me to bake. My daughter asked me to make her a castle made of cupcakes for her 4th birthday. John, my husband, knew we were in trouble when I could not find a box of cupcake mix in the cake-mix aisle.  Don’t ask me to bake for you; you might regret it. ” Although we may not ask her to bake for EGBI, her unwaivering commitment to EGBI and the local community is evident through all the areas she has volunteered for the organization. She has served on the board, various committees, and different projects throughout the years.

In 2020, EGBI volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Volunteers like Pilar 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.

By Diana Garcia

Meet Mike Lancaster. Mike was born and raised in San Antonio, TX, but later moved to Round Rock with his wife and kids. He attended the University of Texas at San Antonio and earned a degree in Business Management.  Mike is a 25-years veteran in the banking industry. He is currently a Middle Market Business Banker at Wells Fargo Bank.  Mike has held many leadership positions in the consumer and business lending division of Wells Fargo across Texas, New Mexico, and Louisiana.  Mike also is a mentor to many junior bankers.  

He is on the board of EGBI and a Board Member of the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce.

Mike shares his experience as a volunteer with EGBI and how you can get involved too. 

Hi Mike! To get started tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I am a graduate of Leadership Round Rock class of 2014. In my free time I Coach YMCA Soccer, and love to travel around trying out new restaurants. 

How have you volunteered for EGBI?

I have taught classes, attended events and have been an active board member for the past 7 years. I just love to hear the stories from our clients of what inspired them to start a small business and how they went about accomplishing their goals. 

Why do you think it is important to support and volunteer with EGBI?

EGBI helps individuals fulfill their dream of starting and running a small business. EGBI provides clients the coaching and support they need to accomplish their goals. 

“You should support EGBI because they provide the coaching and support to small businesses to help them succeed financially.” Mike Lancaster

Why is it important for EGBI to help small businesses in Central Texas? 

EGBI helps build the foundation and provide ongoing coaching support for business owners to help them be successful. So many businesses fail because they don’t have the support or knowledge about how to run a small business.   EGBI helps bridge those gaps and provide a support network to help clients to be more successful. 

In 2020, volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Volunteers like Mike 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 to get involved.  

By Diana Garcia

Meet Mary Lou Lugo, an Austinite unicorn (someone born and raised in Austin, Texas). For the last 10 years Mary Lou has dedicated her life to the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, graduated in their Hispanic Leadership class of 2020, and has volunteered at EGBI.

Mary Lou shares her experience as a volunteer at EGBI, and how you can get involved too. 

Hi Mary Lou! To get started tell us a fun fact about yourself that many people may not know. 

I was a HUB certified business owner; the name of my company was 4D Printing. My biggest customer was the Texas Lottery where I printed for them for 20 years. 

How have you volunteered for EGBI?

I have volunteered as a committee member for Celebrating Success.

Why do you think it is important to support and volunteer with EGBI?

EGBI is a tremendous advocate of helping people become entrepreneurs. Supporting EGBI in turn supports new small businesses.

“EGBI is a strong advocate of helping small businesses which helps stimulate the local economy and create and sustain jobs.” Mary Lou, Volunteer

Why is it important for EGBI to help small businesses in Central Texas? 

Small businesses are the heart of Central Texas and need our support. 

In 2020, volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Volunteers like Mary Lou 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 to get involved.

By Diana Garcia

Meet Nayeli Gallegos, the President and Co-Founder of Red Carpet Productions, a brand management agency. Nayeli has 15 plus years of experience in marketing, communication, event planning, and business development, through her previous jobs at the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC) and EGBI. Nayeli graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Business Administration and holds an MBA on Entrepreneurship from CEPADE Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. A champion of women empowerment, in 2019 Nayeli was recognized as the Hispanic Female Entrepreneur of the year by the GAHCC. 

Nayeli Gallegos shares her journey at EGBI, and how you can get involved too.

Hi Nayeli! To get started tell us a fun fact about yourself that many people may not know. 

Well, I’m originally from Mexico. In 2002, I did something crazy and married my high school sweetheart. I left my country and moved to Austin, I was only 19 years old. We have grown up together, have two beautiful girls, and co-founded a business in the liquor industry. In this journey, almost 19 years after moving to Austin, I finally became a US citizen this year.

How have you volunteered for EGBI?

I feel like I’ve always been a part of EGBI. When I was Director of Economic Development at the GAHCC, EGBI was an important component of our initiatives. Then, I went to work for EGBI for about 6 years, and when I left my job to focus on my business, I continued to stay involved with the marketing and the Celebrating Success committee.

Why do you think it is important to support and volunteer with EGBI?

I’ve always believed in the importance of giving back to the community, and aside from the financial support, one of the best ways to help is by volunteering time and talent to EGBI. 

“ Volunteers are key in helping EGBI accomplish its mission.” Nayeli Gallegos

Why is it important for EGBI to help small businesses in Central Texas? 

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, if we have healthy businesses that are producing and creating jobs, families will prosper, and our entire community will benefit from it.

In 2020, volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Volunteers like Nayeli 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 and find out how to get involved.

By Diana Garcia

Meet Amber Kani, a passionate nonprofit executive and corporate citizenship leader.  Amber serves as an advocate for financial mobility, and has held past roles with the American Red Cross, Texas Stars Foundation, and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. She works at DreamSpring, a nonprofit community development finance organization that assist underserved entrepreneurs access to their piece of the American Dream. Actively engaged in her community, Amber recently served as Board Chair of the Financial Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, and has volunteered her time with EGBI’s marketing department, Celebrating Success Committee, and as an instructor. 

Amber Kani shares her experience as an EGBI volunteer and how you can get involved too. 

Hi Amber! To get started tell us a fun fact about yourself that many people may not know. 

I am a vegan, but I absolutely adore vegan junk food. I have an instagram account dedicated to my Austin food finds and at-home creations: @vegantrashmonster

How have you volunteered for EGBI?

I’ve served on the marketing and events committees and taught small business workshops. I’ve also participated in matchmaking events where entrepreneurs ask market research questions and learn more about potential clientele. 

Why do you think it is important to support and volunteer with EGBI? 

Small businesses need help now more than ever. EGBI provides entrepreneurs with the tools and support they need to grow and thrive. Empowered with expertise, mentorship, and access to subject matter experts from EGBI, small business owners can create new jobs and offer critical products and services. Volunteering allows me to connect directly with emerging entrepreneurs and keep my skills fresh while helping create new opportunities in my own backyard. 

“EGBI makes the American Dream a reality and you can be a part of helping a neighbor in need. Support for EGBI is support for your favorite small business – the taco shop you couldn’t live without, the mechanic who always fits you in, the hair stylist who gives you the perfect bangs. These businesses make our community vibrant and by supporting EGBI, we are ensuring their success for years to come. “ Amber Kani, Volunteer

Why is it important for EGBI to help small businesses in Central Texas?

The pandemic shed light on the enormous challenges small businesses face, but even in a normal environment entrepreneurship is hard. For underserved groups like women, minorities, and low income people, the chance to own a business can seem like a distant dream. It shouldn’t be as difficult as it is, and EGBI provides the boost entrepreneurs need to take that next step. To be a small business owner, you need to be a marketing guru, operations lead, human resources manager, and financial advisor – all in one. EGBI makes it easier to deconstruct the components of a successful business.

In 2020, volunteers put in more than 130 hours to help EGBI support and serve over 400 small businesses. Volunteers like Amber 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 and become an EGBI volunteer!