Maestro Connect, Vol. 1 Issue 1

ISSUE 1 | NOV 2020

AESTRO ONNECT WILLIE NG

RAMIRO CAVAZOS

JULISSA CARIELO

educating, entertaining, and empowering entrepreneurs

MAESTRO THE FOUNDERS OF

LESLIE GARCIA

CHRIS MARTINEZ

How Each Founder Helped Establish the Center

LETTER FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD

WELCOME TO THE MAESTRO CONNECT

T

he premiere issue of Maestro Connect features the five founding members of the Maestro Entrepreneur Center.

These individuals developed the mission, laid the groundwork, and carried out the vision to make this center a reality. It is through their dedication to the cause that the Maestro Center is able to provide programs, tools, and resources to assist in almost every facet of small business including the publication of this digital magazine.

The mission of Maestro Connect is to educate, entertain, and empower entrepreneurs through the reporting of news, feature, and editorial stories centered around entrepreneurs and small businesses. The content of this publication will feature stories related to entrepreneurship including the challenges, the triumphs, the success stories, the opportunities, and other topics associated with small and local businesses.

One year ago, the Maestro Entrepreneur Center published an issue of a digital magazine titled Maestro Magazine. Although Maestro Magazine and Maestro Connect have similar missions, Maestro Connect is a restructured publication that takes into account the ever-changing environment and needs of the modern entrepreneur.

One of those pertinent challenges is the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected virtually every aspect of small and local businesses. This pandemic has caused unprecedented challenges for businesses and the Maestro Center provides assistance through tools, resources, and opportunities all of which will be featured content of Maestro Connect.

Maestro Connect will be published monthly and shared digitally on maestrocenter.org as well as through the Maestro Entrepreneur Center’s social media platforms. The magazine will also feature the work of students from universities around San Antonio giving them the opportunity to grow and learn through publication.

Samantha Salazar is the editor for Maestro Connect. Salazar is a graduate of St. Mary’s University with years of experience as editor for a collegiate publication.

Salazar and the editorial board are proud to present this digital publication to the community and hope it sheds a light on important conversations, essential topics, and fundamental concepts related to the entrepreneurial journey.

STAFF Samantha Salazar Marisa Allen Demi Bestor Larry Rodriguez-Shea Chloe Tamez

EDITORIAL BOARD Violeta Burja Michael Mercer Antoinette Winstead Mariangela Zavala

SPECIAL THANKS Waldinei Lafiete

IN THIS ISSUE 4

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMIDST COVID-19 LARRY RODRIGUEZ-SHEA

PG. 4

08

MAESTRO CENTER OFFERS BEXAR COUNTY STRONG GRANT TO SMALL BUSINESSES NAYELI CERVANTES & EVA GARCIA

10

VANESSA GUILLEN HONORED WITH MURAL ON SOUTHSIDE SAMANTHA SALAZAR

PG. 10

14

26

THE FOUNDERS OF MAESTRO SAMANTHA SALAZAR

MAESTRO WINS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR SAMANTHA SALAZAR

PG. 26

EDUCATING

La Fonda De Jaime 2.0 encountered challenges early on due to the COVID-19 pandemic. | Photo by Larry Rodriguez-Shea

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Amidst COVID-19

BY LARRY RODRIGUEZ-SHEA REPORTER The COVID-19 pandemic has affected virtually every aspect of business, especially small business and entrepreneurship.

This unprecedented time has presented both widespread challenges as well as opportunities for the business 04 | November 2020

community.

Entrepreneurial centers like the Maestro Entrepreneur Center and LaunchSA have seen an increase in engagement. Ryan Salts, Director of LaunchSA, shared that his organization has seen a decline in walk-

ins and physical interactions, but the online numbers are considerably higher. “At the beginning of [COVID-19] we had a pretty significant uptick of existing business owners looking for support that was likely going to

be financial related,” Salts said.

“We’re actually seeing a 50/50 split between ‘[COVID-19] is a problem to my business’ and ‘I want to start a new business’.”

Salts noted that most of the businesses that began during this time are the ones that are generally easiest to get off the ground. These businesses include things like food related businesses, landscaping, or other usually accessible ideas.

Salts believes that both free time and necessity are the reasons why people feel more entrepreneurial during this time.

Dr. Sergio Palacios, Associate Professor of Management (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) and Director of the Meadows Center for Entrepreneurial Studies believes challenges associated with COVID-19 encourage entrepreneurship.

“Necessity-based entrepreneurship is likely a

Entrepreneurship is centered on solving problems for our customers by developing valuable solutions.

- DR. SERGIO PALACIOS contributing factor,” Dr. Palacios said. “As the job market presents more challenges for individuals, entrepreneurs arise which leads to creativity and innovation and opens doors to new ventures in times of economic adversity.”

According to Dr. Palacios,

problem-solving may be another factor in the rise of entrepreneurial endeavors during COVID-19.

“Entrepreneurship is centered on solving problems for our customers by developing valuable solutions,” Dr. Palacios said. “The pandemic has provided a large number of new problems to solve.”

According to the Economic Innovation Group and data provided by the U.S Census Bureau, business formation and entrepreneurship have been surpassing historic levels since late May. On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented logistical challenges for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Jamie Hernandez is the founder and chef of La Fonde De Jaime 2.0 food truck.

Hernandez started his business early this fall and experienced challenges early on.

“The pandemic has made it harder to get things done and there were a few more delays then normal,” Hernandez said.

“It has thrown a lot of obstacles in our way, but we know there’s a need for our type of service, as many people are still not comfortable with the idea of being in a restaurant or staying somewhere to eat.”

Since then, Hernandez has enjoyed a healthy growth after securing a spot at “The Block” at University of Texas at San Antonio and found a high demand for their food.

Despite the perceived risk of the pandemic and having financial commitments, the team behind La Fonde pushed ahead.

“There never is a perfect time for anything in life, you just have to go all in, even if you’re scared,” Hernandez said.

“If you have an idea and have the passion to make it happen go for it. There’s no time like the present.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented both challenges and opportunities for small businesses as well as entrepreneurs. According to Ryan Salts, risk is associated with virtually everything and innovation during this time may help in the entrepreneurial journey.

There never is a perfect time for anything in life, you just have to go all in, even if you’re scared.

- JAMIE HERNANDEZ “There’s risk in everything, risk in crossing the street, and risk in being employed,” Salts said. “Would you rather help someone make money for them or make money for yourself?

You can chase someone else’s dream, or you can chase your own.”

maestrocenter.org | 05

EDUCATING

Ramiro Gonzales named CEO of the Westside Development Corporation

BY SAMANTHA SALAZAR EDITOR

The Westside Development Corporation (WDC) has named Ramiro Gonzales as CEO and President of the nonprofit.

Gonzales assumed the role in early September after serving as interim CEO of the organization since February.

“It’s an amazing honor for me to step into this role,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales has an accomplished background that mostly involves public policy and real estate, something he’s been investing in privately since 2005. In addition, Gonzales worked for the City of San Antonio for over a decade including with the Center City Development and Operations Department which was focused on the revitalization of downtown San Antonio.

06 | November 2020

“It’s kind of interesting because my role here at WDC as CEO now really feels like a culmination of everything I’ve been involved with to this point,” Gonzales said.

In 2017, Gonzales left his position with the City of San

What does excite me is the passion the community has for the westside.

- RAMIRO GONZALES Antonio to pursue an opportunity to launch a real estate investment fund, however with plans to go back into nonprofit initiatives.

“I left to kind of get that going and get that started with the intention of going back into community service in some way,” he said.

One of those initiatives was called Rising Tide Casitas which was focused on preventing displacement for vulnerable families which is something that Gonzalez sees as a possibility for WDC. “One of the things I’m excited about being with WDC is this could very well be something that tucks under WDC as a program,” he said.

Gonzales was working with various initiatives when the opportunity to step into the interim CEO position for WDC arose.

Subsequently, the WDC board of directors then

appointed him President and CEO in September.

“I’m very excited to just kind of bring everything that I experienced over my entire career, particularly in the last few years and just kind of bring it all together to address challenges on the westside,” he said.

Gonzales began his interim role with WDC only a few weeks before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was in the position for about a month when the festival South by Southwest was cancelled which was an indication for Gonzales that things were getting serious.

“That was kind of like the canary in the coal mine,” he

said.

The team at WDC then began working remotely and moved to focus on addressing the challenges of the westside that existed both pre-COVID and post-COVID. “The westside has always had its’ economic challenges,” Gonzales said. “I was really just stepping into WDC and trying to understand what was going to be our strategy dealing with pre-COVID challenges and then this happening forced us to really put everything on the back burner for a little bit while we asses exactly what was going on.”

Moving forward, Gonzales

wants to raise the visibility of WDC and the work that the nonprofit is doing in the westside. In addition, he wants the WDC to focus on making intentional, incremental progress that addresses the entire ecosystem of the westside. Most importantly, however, Gonzales hopes to utilize the passion on the westside to help address the challenges.

“What does excite me is the passion the community has for the westside,” he said. “Our plan is to harness that passion from community to help us solve those problems.”

Photo by Samantha Salazar

maestrocenter.org | 07

HIGHLIGHTING

Photo by Samantha Salazar

Maestro Center offers Bexar County Strong Grant to Small Businesses

BY NAYELI CERVANTES & EVA GARCIA CONTRIBUTORS The Maestro Entrepreneur Center received a nearly $1 million grant from Bexar County to assist 56 local small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Recipients of the Building Resilient Small Businesses Grant 08 | November 2020

will receive up to $15,000, with assistance from a business advisor to assess their needs and provide vital resources to reinforce and strengthen their business resilience.

Due to the COVID-19

pandemic, many small businesses were forced to close their doors and this grant is a direct response to the needs of the small business community. “Especially during this time of COVID, small business really

needs our support, and this grant we’re receiving is going to help us do that for so many people,” Willie Ng, Vice President of the Maestro Entrepreneur Center’s board of directors, said at a press conference.

The program received funding from Bexar County and had fiduciary support from Woodforest National Bank.

“Woodforest National Bank is proud to continue to support the spirit of entrepreneurship in San Antonio with our friends at Maestro Entrepreneur Center through this important initiative.

Providing additional support to our small business community is critical during these times”, said Doug Schaeffer, Executive Vice President, CRA Executive Director, Woodforest National Bank.

The Maestro Center’s goal is to serve small businesses located in all precincts and to allocate money to those businesses in a manner that is representative of the Bexar County community.

“We know that there are businesses all over Bexar County and San Antonio that are going to need this help and we’re proud to be a partner with Maestro to make this happen,” Commissioner Justin Rodriguez said at a press conference.

Ultimately, this grant will provide financial support for many small businesses throughout Bexar County.

“It’s a dream come true to have these funds available to help us support small businesses,” Mariangela Zavala, Executive Director for the Maestro Entrepreneur, said at a press conference.

Mariangela Zavala speaks at the press conference. | Photo by Samantha Salazar

Commissioner Justin Rodriguez speaks about the grant. | Photo by Samantha Salazar

Willie Ng speaks about the grant at the press conference. | Photo by Samantha Salazar

maestrocenter.org | 09

HIGHLIGHTING

Vanessa Guillen Honored with Mural on Southside

BY SAMANTHA SALAZAR EDITOR

Photo by Samantha Salazar

10 | November 2020

Photo by Samantha Salazar

Over the Labor Day weekend, a Vanessa Guillen memorial mural on the walls of Chicho Boys Fruit Market was virtually unveiled to the community. The mural, entitled “Entre Todas Las Mujeres,” was created entirely through volunteer and community support efforts.

The project originated over the Independence Day weekend as anger and sadness over the murder of Vanessa Guillen overwhelmed much of the community. A shrine dedicated to Guillen was erected on the Southside so that San Antonians could mourn and pay their respects. Community members then moved to work together in order to create a more permanent space in Guillen’s honor.

Community advocates and members of the Latina Leadership Institute, Stephanie Melchor and Tracy Talavera were both heavily involved in the organization of both the shrine and the mural.

“We wanted to get the shrine done and give the community the opportunity to mourn and have the space to honor Vanessa,” Talavera said.

“Once we saw so many people stop by [the shrine] and appreciate it, tweet about, post on Facebook about it, we just knew that the community needed it and wanted it,” Melchor said. “So, we said,

‘what can we do next,’ and that’s kind of how the idea of the mural was derived.”

During the virtual unveiling, Melchor illuminated more closely the purpose of the memorial.

“Our goal for this mural is to create and maintain an ongoing conversation around gender violence about how it doesn’t just infiltrate institutions, but it also infiltrates culture as well,” Melchor said. “Vanessa Guillen was a sister, a daughter, and a friend. Honor her memory by listening and uplifting the women in your life.”

The virtual unveiling also featured the artists, Adriana Garcia, Ana Laura Hernandez, and Rudy Herrera who shed light on the process of creating the mural in dedication to Vanessa Guillen and her family.

“I humbly offer our mural, ‘Entre Todas Las Mujeres,’ made with love, sweat, tears to you la madre Gloria Guillen and to your family to let you know while you may carry an unbearable burden that you do not carry it alone,” Garcia said.

Artist, Adriana Garcia first got involved with the mural when someone from the Latina Leadership Institute approached a friend of Garcia’s. Garcia’s friend then approached her as well as Ana Laura Garcia to see if they were interested in painting the mural. For Garcia, it was an easy answer.

“It was an automatic yes,” she said.

Garcia accepted the invitation not only because of her friend, but because she felt very strongly about Vanessa Guillen and her story.

“I wanted to contribute my talents in any possible to help bring her story more to the forefront,” Garcia said.

After meeting with the group to brainstorm ideas and to figure out what they wanted to mural to convey, Garcia and Hernandez created a composition, grided the wall, and began painting.

One of the elements of the mural that Garcia pointed out has to do with family and the power of the Guillen family.

“When she didn’t’ have a voice anymore, her voice carried on through her family,” Garcia said.

The mural was completed in about two and a half weeks which, according to Garcia, is fast for a mural of that size and due to the commitment of the group.

“We were able to get it done so quickly because of everybody’s dedication,” she said.

Ultimately, Garcia hopes that the mural is a reminder to everyone about what happened to Vanessa Guillen.

“We won’t forget,” Garcia said. “We won’t forget what has happened.”

maestrocenter.org | 11

FEATURING

Modern Managed IT: IT for Small Businesses

BY SAMANTHA SALAZAR EDITOR Former CEO for the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has returned to San Antonio to launch an IT company focused on making it more accessible and more affordable for small businesses in the Alamo city.

Luis Rodriguez, formerly with both the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SAHCC) as well as the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC), is the CEO and President of Modern Managed IT. The recently launched company is centered 12 | November 2020

around addressing the needs of the small business when it comes to IT. “We’re a small business being led by a Hispanic who’s very proud to be doing what I’m doing,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez began his professional career working in the for-profit world at companies like Conn’s HomePlus and United Van Lines. During this time, Rodriguez became involved heavily with the SAHCC as a volunteer which would eventually lead to a full-time position.

Photo courtesy of Luis Rodriguez

“[My wife] said, ‘you might as well go work for them, they might as well pay you because you’re always there volunteering,’” Rodriguez said.

After seven years with the chamber, Rodriguez was recruited again, this time to act as CEO and President for the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC). Him and his family relocated to Austin in 2017.

“I took best practices [to Austin] that I learned in San Antonio,” Rodriguez said.

“Those best practices were to

focus on your members.”

After three years in Austin, Rodriguez was having a conversation with Brett Piatt, CEO of Jungle Disk, a cybersecurity company based out of San Antonio.

They met at the Magnolia Pancake Haus where Piatt explained the concept behind Modern Managed IT and the overwhelming need of the small business community regarding IT. Piatt also asked Rodriguez if he wanted to be at the helm of the company and take the position as CEO. “When this was presented to me it was two things, one, it was still a way to help small businesses by helping implement a solution for small businesses’ necessity for technology.”

Rodriguez said. “Second, the simplicity of this company, Modern Managed IT is different than what other managed IT [companies] provide.”

Rodriguez consulted with his family and the chairman at GAHCC and accepted the position.

The vision behind Modern Managed IT is focused directly on small businesses and making IT services accessible and affordable.

Therefore, the company doesn’t utilize contracts, prices are simple and fixed, and customer service is personalized and accessible.

“Our prices are on our website and they don’t change,” Rodriguez said. “What you see is what they are.”

These company policies are in stark contrast to what Rodriguez and Piatt observed in other IT companies that may have

been more geared towards larger businesses.

“It’s super simple for small businesses and that’s what I appreciated,” Rodriguez said.

Additionally, the Modern Managed IT team looked to revise the typical IT business model because it was mostly outdated and took into account tools and resources no longer necessary with the advancement of modern technology.

“We’re hoping to revolutionize that part of the technology sector,” Rodriguez said. “We want to keep it simple by being honest, transparent, and letting our customers choose for themselves. That’s us.”

With over 10 years of chamber experience under his belt, Rodriguez understands how critical IT is for small businesses.

He also acknowledges that it shouldn’t be something a small business has to be preoccupied about.

“Having a good, reliable IT partner is important to help small businesses,” he said.

For both Rodriguez and Modern Managed IT, this is true now more than ever with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the pandemic, technological needs have shifted drastically, and Rodriguez believes that IT support is pivotal.

“Now more than ever it’s important to have a trusted technology partner on your side,” he said.

According to Rodriguez, the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed many small businesses and entrepreneurs to change their mind set about utilizing technology.

“COVID-19 has actually, maybe helped small businesses think more about technology more quickly than they would have wanted to, but in a good way so they can grow and learn and be prepared if this were to ever happen again,” he said.

Overall, the pandemic has forced virtually all businesses to adapt including Rodriguez who is used to face-to-face interactions and in-person meetings.

“It’s been challenging, but a good challenge because it’s helped grow our knowledge base of technology.”

Ultimately, Modern Managed IT wants to create more opportunities to stimulate technology jobs in San Antonio.

“Hopefully I’m just one of many new, future tech start-ups in San Antonio,” he said.

Additionally, Rodriguez foresees widespread growth for the future of the company.

“We’re kind of revolutionizing the whole managed IT choice for small business owners,” he said. “At the end of the day we’re hoping that what we do in San Antonio sticks so we can replicate it Austin, Dallas, Houston, through Texas, Arizona, and Oklahoma.”

In the end, Rodriguez believes that small businesses are the economic engine of the community and with Modern Managed IT he wants to create a definitive answer when it comes to IT. “If we can someway, somehow create the ultimate solution for small business IT I think we’ll have hit a home run.”

maestrocenter.org | 13

FEATURING

WILLIE NG

RAMIRO CAVAZOS

Photos by Waldinei Lafaiete

JULISSA CARIELO

LESLIE GARCIA

14 | November 2020

CHRIS MARTINEZ

THE FOUNDERS OF MAESTRO

BY SAMANTHA SALAZAR EDITOR

The five founding members of the Maestro Entrepreneur Center each played a pivotal role in the establishment of the robust organization. Julissa Carielo, Willie Ng, Ramiro Cavazos, Chris Martinez, and Leslie Garcia each contributed their talents and skills to the conception of the center. As Maestro approaches its five year anniversary, it’s critical to acknowledge how these individuals created the framework and carried out a vision to make the Maestro Entrepreneur Center a reality. Their dedication to the mission has allowed the nonprofit to thrive many years later and have the ability to provide resources and tools for so many small and local businesses.

maestrocenter.org | 15

FEATURING

THE FOUNDERS OF MAESTRO:

JULISSA CARIELO Julissa Carielo is a founding member of the Maestro Entrepreneur Center. Currently, Carielo is the President of Tejas Premiere Building Contractor and Co-founder of Dream On Group Development Company.

Carielo’s journey with the Maestro Entrepreneur Center began when she noticed the elementary school next to her business was vacant. Her company was looking to expand and after a tour of the building she was interested in utilizing it for an entrepreneurship center.

“I just love old buildings and this one in particular had a lot of character,” Carielo said. “I just envisioned that we could do something with it.”

Carielo wrote a letter to the school board about the possibility of utilizing the building as an entrepreneurship center and was met with immediate interest. A year and a half later, she acquired the property and began renovations on the building that had lay vacant for many years.

“It had not been touched in over a decade, so it needed a 16 | November 2020

lot of love,” she said.

During the negotiation process, Carielo began reaching out to find support from community leaders in launching the center. She found immediate support from Ramiro Cavazos, who at the time was leading the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, as well as from the other founding members.

“We each contributed to be able to launch the nonprofit,” Carielo said. “We created a board to start establishing what we were going to be doing.”

By the end of 2018, renovations were complete, and the Maestro Entrepreneur Center opened up with abilities to incubate 50 companies, host events, classes, and provide a place for entrepreneurs to learn from each other.

“I knew that the need was so much bigger than I could have imagined because I knew that there really wasn’t a place that entrepreneurs and business owners could go to have a safe place to speak, to learn from each other,” Carielo said.

“I wanted to make sure that we

were creating that.”

For Carielo, launching the Maestro Center was inspired, in part, by the important role entrepreneurship played in her life.

“One of the reasons why I really wanted to do this center was because entrepreneurship changed my life,” she said. “It gave me an opportunity to do anything I wanted to do. If you haven’t thought of entrepreneurship, you should.”

Overall, Carielo credits the center’s success to the Maestro staff, board members, partners, as well as the community.

“It would have never happened without the collaboration and support that we were getting from our committed resource partners, board members, and the entrepreneurs that keep coming back for more help,” she said.

Ultimately, Carielo has big plans for the future of the Maestro Entrepreneur Center.

“The most important thing to remember is that entrepreneurs are innovators, so we are just getting started with what Maestro is doing.”

Photo by Waldinei Lafaiete

maestrocenter.org | 17

FEATURING

THE FOUNDERS OF MAESTRO:

WILLIE NG Willie Ng is a founding member of the Maestro Entrepreneur Center. Currently, Ng is CEO and President of Blue Armor Security Services Inc. and Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Maestro Center.

Ng has deep roots in the Alamo City. He was born and raised on the southeast side of San Antonio, earned several degrees from San Antonio universities, and even started his own business here.

“I was born and raised in San Antonio and I wanted to keep and invest all my money back to the community,” Ng said.

In 2003, Ng had the opportunity to launch his own small business which was an experience that grew his appreciation for the small business community.

“I loved being a small business owner because as everyone knows small business is the backbone and foundation of the city,” he said.

Several years ago, Julissa Carielo approached Ng about the possibility of being involved with the founding of the center 18 | November 2020

and it was an easy answer for him.

“I said it’s a no-brainer,” he said. “Anything to help small businesses, I’m for it.”

As a founding member, Ng was mainly involved in coordinating behind the scenes. The main work, he credits to Carielo.

“I have to give it all to Julissa, she’s the one with the boots on

He has seen first-hand how the center has grown since its’ inception.

“I think the growth is amazing and it went far beyond my expectations in just a short amount of time,” he said.

Ng believes the future for Maestro will entail partnership with other incubation centers as well as the outgrowing of the current location for Maestro.

“We’re excited about the progress and we look forward to what’s going to happen in the We’re excited about the future with Maestro.” progress and we look Ultimately, Ng’s involvement forward to what’s going to with the Maestro Center has helped him grow as an happen in the future with entrepreneur and has allowed Maestro. him to share and to learn what it takes to be a successful business - WILLIE NG owner.

“It’s important and it’s critical the ground,” he said. “We had that we all do our part to help an idea, but she was the one small business thrive and that made it all happen.” continue to be successful.”

Ng has continued to remain involved with Maestro through his position on the board of directors as well as occasionally in leading some of the courses.

Photo by Waldinei Lafaiete

maestrocenter.org | 19

FEATURING

THE FOUNDERS OF MAESTRO:

RAMIRO CAVAZOS Ramiro Cavazos is a founding member of the Maestro Entrepreneur Center. Currently, Cavazos is the President and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce which represents 4.7 million Hispanic owned businesses.

Prior to that, Cavazos served as President and CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SAHCC) for a little over 10 years. It was in this position that Cavazos would work closely with Julissa Carielo and where his involvement with the Maestro Entrepreneur Center began. Carielo shared her vision to transform a vacant elementary school into an entrepreneurship center and Cavazos was on board.

“She felt that it could be repurposed as a place to support the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and make it a small business focused environment,” Cavazos said. “I loved the idea and so for about a year Julissa and I talked to our board of directors and we put the package in place.”

Cavazos and Carielo were able to commit to a five-year agreement in which the SAHCC and the Maestro Center would 20 | November 2020

partner together. The two organizations would fundraise together, the SAHCC would fund and locate an employee at the Maestro Center, and also utilize the center to host meetings.

According to Cavazos, it was Carielo’s vision that acted as the catalyst.

“I was very inspired by Julissa’s commitment to small business and so I was really just a partner for her,” he said. “It really was Julissa’s vision and her service on our board that made all the sense in the world to partner together to do that.”

The San Antonio community is heavily made up of small businesses who often times need access to resources and tools in order to succeed and Cavazos envisioned that the Maestro Center would be able to provide that.

“It was important to me because we weren’t doing enough to help small businesses in San Antonio,” he said. “I believe the Maestro Center is that place.”

Cavazos believes that Maestro has continued to be flexible during unexpected challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic all while maintaining supporters

who remain committed to the mission “I think it has great potential and I feel like the Maestro Center is really poised for tremendous growth,” he said. “Its’ best days are around the corner.”

As a founder for the Maestro Center, Cavazos has come to learn many things including the existence of entrepreneurs who are focused on giving back to others, like Julissa Carielo. In addition, Cavazos acknowledges the potential to replicate the model like the Maestro Center throughout the United States.

“That’s our commitment to Julissa and to the team at Maestro is that we spread the news about what’s working well,” he said. “I think it will reflect well on San Antonio and hopefully generate more resources for Maestro itself.”

Ultimately, Cavazos is proud of the impact that the Maestro Center has had on not only existing small businesses, but businesses who may not even exist yet.

“I think the foundation of Maestro is set and the beauty is that we’re going to be helping a lot of people that we haven’t even met,” he said.

Photo courtesy of Ramiro Cavazos

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FEATURING

THE FOUNDERS OF MAESTRO:

CHRIS MARTINEZ Chris Martinez is one of the founding members of the Maestro Entrepreneur Center.

Currently, Martinez is the president of Central Electric Enterprises & Co., a secondgeneration electrical company in San Antonio. Martinez first became involved with Maestro after being approached by Julissa Carielo with an idea to create a center focused on small businesses.

“My engagement came about when Julissa approached me about this idea about trying to grow and create an incubator for small businesses,” Martinez said.

He had immediate interest because he was keen on facilitating more opportunities for those who had the passion and desire to become an entrepreneur.

“Being an advocate for the inner city and the westside, I was immediately intrigued by it,” he said. “I wanted to support individuals from a more diverse economic background that had the ambition and desire to do something on their own.”

22 | November 2020

He was on board after understanding the potential that existed to assist entrepreneurs who may not have had access to guidance of any sort. Martinez had a mentor in his father, but he recognizes that a center like Maestro did not exist at the beginning of his career.

“There wasn’t a program or class like at Maestro where I could go to and ask some of the tough questions,” he said. “Let’s try to figure out how to mentor, grow, teach, and show them by example how best to develop a business plan.”

According to Martinez, the center has matured over time and has been able to adapt and modify to the everchanging needs of the modern entrepreneur which is something he takes pride in.

“It is a very proud moment to see the organization offer diverse programs based on the needs of its’ clientele,” he said. “You have to crawl before you can walk, you have to walk before you can run, and I think we’re running now.”

Martinez believes that

success for the center will be when entrepreneurs who once received support from Maestro are able to return and offer opportunities to other entrepreneurs. This scenario, along with many others, is why Martinez continues to be involved.

“I think Julissa and the founding board members believe in Maestro and invest in it,” he said. “That’s why we continue to try to help where we can and when we can.”

Ultimately, Martinez continues involvement with Maestro as a member of the advisory board as well as occasionally with the cohort classes. As an executive of his company it is sometimes difficult to find time to stay involved, but for Martinez he continues to do so because he understands the importance of the mission.

“You sacrifice your time, time from your family, time from your business, because you hope that just one person from that class takes a nugget.”

Photo by Waldinei Lafaiete

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FEATURING

THE FOUNDERS OF MAESTRO:

LESLIE GARCIA Leslie Garcia is a founding member of the Maestro Entrepreneur Center. Currently, Garcia is an audit partner with RSM. Garcia first got involved with the Maestro Center after being approached by Julissa Carielo.

I wanted to help my friend Julissa and also wanted to be involved in a cause that I believed in.

- LESLIE GARCIA She was interested in Carielo’s vision and wanted to be a part of the team.

“I was impressed with her enthusiasm and dedication,” Garcia said. “The process was a good brainstorming session 24 | November 2020

on how we could help the community.”

It was important for Garcia to become involved not only to support a friend, but because the center was focused on an objective that she cared about.

“I wanted to help my friend Julissa and also wanted to be involved in a cause I believed in,” she said.

Garcia has maintained involvement with the Maestro Center through participation in the advisory board. Since its’ inception, Garcia has seen the center grow in a number of ways.

“Maestro has grown in name recognition, recipients of its assistance and growth of the staff and the board who have transformed,” she said.

As a founding member, Garcia has been able to meet many new people through the center.

She is proud of how involved Maestro has continued to be

Maestro has grown in name recognition, recipients of its assistance and growth of the staff and the board who have transformed.

- LESLIE GARCIA with the community, the center’s new space, and the growth the center has seen throughout the years.

Ultimately, Garcia foresees more development for the future of the Maestro Entrepreneur Center. “[For the future of Maestro], I see growth and more name recognition.”

Photo courtesy of Leslie Garcia

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HIGHLIGHTING

MAESTRO WINS ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

26 | November 2020

Maestro Receives Advocate of the Year Award from H-E-B Supplier Diversity

BY SAMANTHA SALAZAR EDITOR Last month, the Maestro Entrepreneur Center received the 2020 Advocate of the Year award from H-E-B Supplier Diversity.

The award honors organizations that support the efforts of H-E-B Supplier Diversity in driving spend with Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE), and Veteran or Disabled Business Owners (MWVDBE).

“As an organization, The Maestro Entrepreneur Center demonstrates they [are] a Small Business Champion within the City of San Antonio for all small businesses,” said Crystal Royal, Supplier Diversity Manager for H-E-B, in a statement.

In the statement, Royal explains that the Maestro Center was honored with this year’s

award for a variety of reasons.

“The Maestro Entrepreneur Center’s model in Construction Outreaches, Certification Competencies and Business Practice Programming continues to be a driving force within San Antonio for the Small Minority Owned Business community,” Royal said.

The Maestro Entrepreneur Center was honored to receive the award.

“It means the world to us,” Mariangela Zavala, Executive Director for the Maestro Center, said. “I am beyond proud of my staff and the partners behind this amazing work and recognition.

One of the programs that was specifically identified is Maestro’s weekly Webinar Wednesday. Royal explains that this program, along with others, provided important and timely information for small businesses

who may have felt uncertain amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With the tools of a Webinar and Podcast, The Maestro Center continues to partner with Top Business Leaders and Small Business Champions to ensure small businesses receive information in English and Spanish that will ensure sustainability for not only San Antonio businesses but for all of Texas and international businesses,” Royal said.

Ultimately, the award honors not only recent programming, but the mission of the Maestro Entrepreneur Center as a whole.

“Their dedication to ensure that all small businesses are armed with the tools needed to not only succeed but also excel economically is the core of The Maestro Center,” Royal said.

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FEATURING

Al’s Gourmet Nuts: ‘The best gifts in the world’

BY SAMANTHA SALAZAR EDITOR Photo courtesy of Margaret Wilson-Anaglia Al’s Gourmet Nuts is a family owned and operated business that has been serving up gourmet nuts as corporate and personal gifts for 20 years.

“Our whole core of our business is to deliver great gifts,” Margaret Wilson-Anaglia, owner of Al’s Gourmet Nuts, said. “We are the best gifts in the world.”

Established in 2000, Al’s Gourmet Nuts is centered around providing gifts that 28 | November 2020

people genuinely care for and at the same time offering a quality product.

“Our mission is to make sure we’re delivering that product that’s made with fresh and local ingredients and a gift that keeps on giving,” Wilson-Anaglia said.

Margaret Wilson-Anaglia, along with her husband are at the forefront of Al’s Gourmet Nuts.

Born and raised in the Alamo City, Wilson-Anaglia earned

degrees from both the University of Incarnate Word and Trinity University. Her professional career began in the private sector and she eventually transitioned to working for the city doing economic development.

All the meanwhile, WilsonAnaglia also had several side businesses that she operated in addition to her full-time job.

This entrepreneurial attitude, however, was not something she

was raised to have.

“As an entrepreneur, I didn’t grow up with an entrepreneur’s mindset,” Wilson-Anaglia said.

Wilson-Anaglia’s parents encouraged her to earn a college degree and to find a traditional job to ensure that she was set financially. However, after an opportunity to buy an existing nut company came up, Al’s Gourmet Nuts was born and Wilson-Anaglia was determined to find success.

“I knew I could turn this business and take it to the next level,” she said.

Although Wilson-Anaglia had no experience with a food business, she harnessed her entrepreneurial mindset and set forth on Al’s Gourmet Nuts.

“What I did as an entrepreneur, just like everyone else, I took a chance,” she said. “My philosophy was, ‘what’s the worst thing that could happen.’”

After launching in 2000, Wilson-Anaglia has worked fulltime with Al’s Gourmet Nuts for the past ten years. The business saw tremendous growth and, in fact, 2020 was going to be the businesses’ best year ever until the COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on almost everything.

“I cried and I was angry and frustrated and scared like everyone else,” she said. “But the second week I said, ‘okay, I didn’t’ cause this, I can’t control it, and I can’t change it, so what can we do?’”

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, virtually every segment of Al’s Gourmet Nuts

was shut down or paused.

Every leg of their business saw a simultaneous shutdown including fundraising through the schools, corporate gifts, and special events. WilsonAnaglia and her team were forced to adapt to the change in circumstance.

“I think pivoting is putting it mildly,” she said. “That’s the biggest thing about entrepreneurship, it’s always been about adapting. We just had to adapt a lot more now to this.”

The business was able to take a look at the financials and utilize some savings to avoid panic. Although big plans were

If we’re not taking care of our community, then who is going to take care of us?

- MARGARET WILSON-ANAGLIA disrupted for 2020, WilsonAnaglia is still positive for the future.

“Has COVID-19 affected our business?” Wilson-Anaglia asked. “Absolutely, but I’m willing to hold onto is that by surviving we are going to be stronger and better come 2021.”

Throughout the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilson-Anaglia was able to turn to the Maestro Entrepreneur Center for information, resources, and a place to ask for

help.

“You all have been a really awesome beacon of information and the information has actually been usable,” she said.

Overall, there are many things that Wilson-Anaglia is proud of when it comes to Al’s Gourmet Nuts.

“The thing I’m most proud of is that it’s practically debt free, we are family owned and operated, and I think the most important thing is that we have really helped a lot of businesses.”

Not only that, as a business Al’s Gourmet Nuts makes it a priority to buy and utilize local products and ingredients as much as possible including lavender from the Texas Hill Country and peanuts and pecans from Texasbased companies.

“It’s really important because everything starts at home,” she said. “If we’re not taking care of our community, then who is going to take care of us? If I can’t buy local, then how am I showing up for my community?”

Ultimately, Wilson-Anaglia sees a bright future for Al’s Gourmet Nuts with more consistent national accounts, more conventions and trade shows, and more opportunities to share their product with all 50 states. However, throughout all of that, Wilson-Anaglia is focused on self-care, celebrating successes, and loving what she does.

“There are some days that I may not like being an entrepreneur, but I love what I do,” she said.

“I love bringing joy to people.”

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FEATURING

Photo by Marisa Allen

Local Helicopter Business Closing After Serving Community for Over 40 Years

BY MARISA ALLEN REPORTER A helicopter business, located just outside San Antonio, is closing its doors after 43 years of serving the San Antonio community.

Helicopter Specialists Inc. is a helicopter business in Adkins, Texas. The business was started

by Norris Burke and Harry Geyer Jr. in December of 1977 30 | November 2020

but wasn’t built out in Adkins until 1983. Burke and Geyer met while doing work at each other’s places of employment, Geyer at Saber Helicopters Inc. and Burke at Rocco Helicopters Inc. and decided to build the corporation from the ground up.

This process included finding a mechanic and pilot as well as

receiving small financing from the bank for special tools.

“We had three people in the corporation at the time when we incorporated it,” Geyer said.

“We had an owner which was a mechanic, a pilot that flew, and me.”

After the business was incorporated, they had contracts

with the city to do maintenance and USDA. on their helicopters for several “My customers were people flying South Texas doing game surveys, cattle work, and everything with helicopters,” Geyer said. “I did maintenance My customers were for them.” people flying South Texas Adkins Flite Center Inc. doing game surveys, cattle operated out of Helicopter work, and everything with Specialists Inc. and was run by Billy Swatzell until he passed helicopters away in 2015. The flight school would train students to become - HARRY GEYER JR. pilots.

Burke and Geyer were business partners until 1990 when Burke years until they got their own turbines and did their own passed away from cancer. His maintenance. They had several wife inherited his share of the contracts with Parks and Wildlife company, and in 1994 Geyer

bought her stock out and has owned the business ever since.

Unlike most businesses during the pandemic, Helicopter Specialists Inc. is closing simply due to the owner’s retirement. Currently, Geyer and his employees are selling their inventory to buyers from Schweizer Helicopters Inc. and MD Helicopters Inc. Geyer’s work ethic and experience has landed him plenty of jobs across the United States over the past 60 years.

The San Antonio native and Army veteran is retiring once his business and property are sold.

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- PERSON’S NAME

Photo courtesy of Marisa Allen

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30 | November 2020

Buy Local Grow SA: An Initiative to Support Buying Local

BY SAMANTHA SALAZAR EDITOR Buy Local Grow SA is an initiative to promote and encourage the community to buy from local businesses in an effort to impact the local economy. This free platform offers connection and networking opportunities for not only small businesses, but the greater community.

Established in May, Buy Local Grow SA is an initiative championed by Mayor of San Antonio, Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge, Nelson Wolff and powered by the Maestro Entrepreneur Center. The program provides businesses a place to connect with each other and access various resources and opportunities all in one location.

Through the Buy Local Grow SA program businesses have

access to networking with other businesses, workforce development training, grant opportunities, entrepreneurship training, access to capital, and much more. After registration, business owners have access to all of these resources through their business profile where they can also view, post, and save procurement opportunities.

In addition, when registering for the program businesses answer a survey which allows for Maestro to better understand the needs of the small business community. All of these features exist in one location and for the benefit of helping small businesses grow.

Through the work of the Maestro Center and through collaboration with nonprofit

partners, Buy Local Grow SA is a program that makes it easy to access an abundance of resources and opportunities all in one spot. This platform is a critical resource for all small business owners to be a part of.

During these uncertain times it’s important for local and small businesses to have access to helpful information and resources to continue their growth. The Maestro Entrepreneur Center is committed to providing those resources not only through the Buy Local Grow SA program, but through various other avenues.

Small businesses can register online through a free application process at https:// maestrocenter.org/buy-localgrow-sa-overview/.

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32 | November 2020

THE MAESTRO ENTREPRENEUR CENTER THANKS THE 2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sherrika Arch

VIA Metropolitan Transit & Advisory Board Member

Julissa Carielo

Arthur Clarke

Tejas Premier Building Contractors Founder, Board President

Finance Committee Documation

Will Fernandez

Jane Gonzalez

Roland F. Gonzales

Maurice Bridges

Straight Line Management & Programs Committee Member

Janell Davila

Woodforest National Bank & Marketing Committee

Program and Events Committee Merril Lynch

Programs Committee Medwheels Inc.

Cokinos | Young: Construction Lawyers Admin and Legal Council Advisor

Heather Crump Martin

Yadira “Liz” Medina

Shuchi Nagpal

John Dryden Nanna

Finance Committee EDD COSA

Marketing Committee Dryden Labs

RSM US LLP & Chair of Finance Committee

BBVA & Co-Chair of Fundraising Committee

Willie Ng

Donna Normandin

Dr. Elsa O’Campo

Finance Committee Frost

Programs and Events Committee Alamo Colleges

Blue Armor Security Services Inc. Vice President and Co-Chair of Fundraising

Sergio Palacios Programs Committee St. Mary’s University

Siew Pang

Sunshine Medical Uniforms & Chair of Programs Committee

Jessica Pena Programs Committee Microsoft

Robert Ortiz

Wells Fargo & Program and Events Committee

Crystal Royal Programs Committee H-E-B

Hugh Stevens

Harvey E. Najim Center for Business Innovation and Corporate Social Responsibility & Fundraising Committee Member

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