I was born in an ejido in Coahuila Mexico, and when I came to the United States at a very young age, I went to public schools here in Austin. I have 4 adult children and 5 grandchildren which I am raising 3 of them aged 4, 3 and 7 months. So I started creating again. From a very young age, I saw the need for our people to understand another language or have someone translate for them. I say this because my own experience since I was a child was doing it for the people I knew. I translated conferences, documents, legal documents, and also made them, whether it was filling out immigration documents, appeals, income applications, and even lawsuits that people had and did not understand. After high school I took a paralegal course, and was working in different branches of law, family law, workers compensation, immigration and international oil companies in administration. The moment my older children entered college I decided to return to college and obtained my bachelor’s degree in business. I did this for almost 25 years. I am now a graduate of Concordia University. Throughout this journey my favorite job was being a Mary Kay consultant.Now that I am at home and raising my grandchildren (children) as they know me, I decided to open the doors to what I have always done, people administration and from there (ALVAREZ ALCANTAR CONSULTING FIRM), LLC has been born.
Tell me what inspired you to start your business?
What inspired me to initiate my business was the injustice many of the minorities face due to the lack of understanding policies, and procedures, or when the community is taken advantage of because of services they need, i.e. in translation, notary, or simply reading a document in their native language.
Why did you decide to join EGBI?
I decided to join EGBI because I believe in their cause of helping the community and having many networking outlets to get your business off the ground and be successful.
Did you encounter any obstacles along the way? If so, how did you overcome them?
Yes, I was my own obstacle, I do not know how to ask for help, despite the fact that I know I need it, I only know how to lend a hand. I overcame that by remembering what one of the directors of EGBI (also a friend), stated to me, “it’s great for you to help out others, however you’re going to drive a bus through your heart if you don’t do it for yourself” Larrisa Davila.
How does your business differ from others?
My business differs from others because I try to understand the clients needs and make certain I can deliver the service they are needing without adding more stress to their situation. I’m blunt and transparent, if I can help I will if I cannot I let them know.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself
A fun fact about myself is that I like to collect souvenir spoons from everyplace I visit, and also prefer actual photos other than digital. (those 2 fun facts)
Are you happy with what you have achieved?
Absolutely, I am very happy with what I have achieved.
How has EGBI helped you?
EGBI has helped me in my confidence and has opened many doors and windows to more opportunities in gaining more clients.
Translated by Berenice Osorio Alvarez
EGBI provides training, coaching, and support to aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business. If you would like to know more about EGBI’s business coaching, visit https://egbi.org/coach/ Spanish-(https://egbi.org/es/coach-2/).