Meet EGBI Volunteer – Jesus Nevarez

By Bego Calderon

Jesus is a Financial Center Manager at Independent Financial, where he manages the retail side for the Austin location. He is responsible for the day-to-day operation, expanding the business of the branch and small business development.

He has been working in banking for over ten years across the state of Texas. Jesus focuses on developing deep ties in the communities he works, and helping persons reach their financial goals. He has worked on a variety of entrepreneurship programs and financial literacy classes, delivering them in person and virtual platforms.

Jesus shares his experience as a volunteer with EGBI.

Share a fun fact with us.

I occasionally write short stories, and give them out to my friends. Nothing major, but I enjoy writing literary fiction. Slices of life that give a glimpse of what we go through daily. They are cathartic.

“Volunteering at EGBI is a great way to help our community.” – Jesus nevarez

How did you first get involved with EGBI?

I had just moved to the city, and I was still struggling to get acclimated. I had reached out through email to know how I could help. I had researched EGBI, and my perception was that they are a great resource to our local entrepreneurs.
Monica Peña reached back, and invited me to an EGBI event.
Thereafter, I asked if I could assist in some of the classes that EGBI does for entrepreneurs. Since that point, I’ve been enjoying being a volunteer for EGBI at different stages and programs.

Why do you volunteer for EGBI?

Small business are the lifeblood of our communities, and entrepreneurship is a pathway to achieve financial security. I believe in what EGBI does, and the persons that run the organization truly have their hearts in it. I like to help persons get better, and some of the entrepreneurs and small business owners that attend EGBI just need a hand to reach the next level. I work at Independent Financial, where we try to build healthy communities. They have supported me in this endeavor.

-How has your involvement with EGBI helped you grow professionally and personally?

Professionally it has allowed to me see what the small business community needs in Austin. Understand their concerns and their aspirations. It has connected me with other persons across the city that are also looking to assist our entrepreneur
community.
Personally, well, just meeting new persons. Moving to a new city, with no family or professional network can be difficult. I’ve met so many persons in the classes, and accelerated my knowledge of the city and its resources.

What was the most rewarding experience you had while volunteering for EGBI?

There was a presentation in the last quarter of 2022. They were presenting the persons that had graduated from the program. Hearing all those stories of success, allowed me to see the tremendous impact that EGBI has in our city.

Why do you think others should volunteer or support EGBI?

Volunteering at EGBI is a great way to help our community. EGBI has a develop great systems to understand entrepreneurs at different levels of their business journey. They are in the business of helping people get better, that is something that we could all do.

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 support our efforts, please visit our website https://egbi.org/donate/.

Meet EGBI Volunteer – Kitty Bird

By Marisol Klauer

“Wouldn’t it be great if…” is by far the most common thing out of my mouth, which is usually followed up with some outrageous idea I’ve concocted in that moment. It’s true I was once labeled “an idea machine”. Always looking for that inspiration, that connection, that key moment that brings something to light. Photography is a passion of mine that does just that. Connecting with people can be so inspiring; and yes, I can be an enthusiast on just about any topic. Let’s talk!

Been a Texan since 2004 and the amazing landscape and tiny towns are becoming an essential part of my DNA. I’m currently hosting guests in Austin, Leakey and Concan Texas, photographing the lifestyle and heartbeat of small businesses and pushing the fair-trade movement with Ten Thousand Villages. 

Kitty shares her experience as a volunteer with EGBI and how you can get involved too.

To get started, do you mind telling us a fun fact about yourself?

I coordinated and am part of the Guinness Book Of World records for the largest singing bowl ensemble through Ten Thousand Villages.

How did you first get involved with EGBI?

I answered a volunteer ad because I wanted experience in shooting for small businesses. 

Why do you volunteer for EGBI?

To meet people and use my talents to help them. I also wanted to expand my portfolio as a photographer.

How has your involvement with EGBI helped you grow professionally and personally?

Just meeting Monica from EGBI has helped a ton! She encouraged me in areas that I didn’t realize were important. Now I have experience in working with small business’ owners and can expand my portfolio to include commercial photography. Plus, I’ve met so many wonderful people who have used EGBI’s services. It’s a community of incredibly warm, friendly, and giving people. 

Want to get involved too? Contact us to find out how you can volunteer or donate.

Meet our volunteer- Pilar sanchez

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.

Meet Our Volunteer – Mike Lancaster

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.  

Meet Our Volunteer – Mary Lou Lugo

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.