Orange Living - Small Business Spotlight2

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tertops to full bathroom remodels and kitchens.

Two years ago Escoto was chosen as one of the featured speakers at the Association’s Camino al Exito, or pathway to success — a testament to his business growth.

He offered advice to other business owners, saying “never give up.”

“There will always be someone willing to provide answers you might need,” Escoto said in a 2022 article.

“It might require for you to step out of our comfort zone, but the resources are there, from local city codes and permit department or the Better Business Bureau.”

A native of Ixtlan, Michoacan in Mexico, Escoto came to the United States in 2001 and started working alongside his father. His former boss, Jorge Castelan, taught him a lot, he said.

“He taught me and my father. I worked for him about four years every day. He was a hard guy, but I learned a lot of things from him,” Escoto said of the tile and construction business.

Escoto branched out with his own business in 2005.

Meza called Escoto a success story.

Escoto Tile & Remodeling is located in Beaumont and can be reached by calling 409-454-0019.

— Written by Mary Meaux

Courtesy photo

LEFT: A project by Escoto Tile & Remodeling is pictured.

Juan Escoto, owner of Escoto Tile and Remodeling, has been a speaker at Camino al Exito, sponsored by the Hispanic Business Council.

Courtesy photo Juan Escoto and his wife Claudett pose for a photo.

Dow Sabine Operations is celebrating five years in Orange and continuing our commitment to the future and our community. Our anniversary celebration week directly impacted Orange and involved our community partners.

Through continued partnership with our community organizations, we kicked off the anniversary week by celebrating with cake and conversation. Along with our Cove Community near neighbors, we enjoyed the recreational park and had the opportunity to share a meal, enjoy the new playground area powered by Dow and continued the conversation for future initiatives.

More than 40,000 meals were assembled for Feed the Funnel Through partnership with United Way of Orange County, The Pack Shack and local food pantries, the meals will help fight food insecurity in our area 1220 pounds of trash was collected along FM 1006 for a #PullingOurWeight cleanup event Our industry partners collaborated with us to make the event a success!

We are working to ensure a more inclusive and sustainable future. Join us as we continue to #SeekTogether

Continued commitment to our community

KT MAINTENANCE creates respect through 30 years of service

Years ago as a welder, Kenny Tims saw the importance of safety attendants in the field.

These were the workers taking on the tasks of fire watch, confined space/hole watch and fresh air/bottle watch, who are an integral part of an industrial team and a major key to safety.

But, he said, he didn’t like the way safety attendants were generally treated, as if they were a dime a dozen.

So he prayed on it and looked to God for help. He wanted to see safety attendants treated with dignity and respect — so he started his own company, KT Maintenance Inc.

Tims noted his business partner is Bill Maxey.

The Port Arthur business has now been around for 30 years and is proud to have been part of a number of expansion projects and outage responses at facilities in the area, “providing support personnel such as third-party safety attendants, flaggers, cleanup and general labor.”

“KT Maintenance Company Inc. was founded on the principle of offering highly trained and qualified third-party safety attendants,” Tims said. “We believe that specialized training ensures a higher quality of safety support for our clients’ prime contractors.”

KT Maintenance has provided services for Motiva, Total, Valero and ExxonMobil-Beaumont.

Recognized for excellence

The Small Business Development Center Port Arthur recently named KT Maintenance the Service-Small Business of the Year.

This isn’t the only accolade bestowed on the company.

It also earned the 2022 Contractor Safety Award presented by the Golden Triangle Business Roundtable of Southeast Texas, as well as an award from Motiva in 2016, among other awards.

Mary Meaux/Orange Living Magazine

KT Maintenance was awarded the 2022 Contractor Safety Award by the Golden Triangle Business Roundtable of Southeast Texas.

Mary Meaux/Orange Living Magazine A look inside one of the Texas Cool Down Trailers by KT Maintenance.

Mary Meaux/Orange Living Magazine

KT Maintenance President Kenny Tims, left, and Superintendent Brittany Richard stand near awards earned by the company. The Small Business Development Center Port Arthur recently named KT Maintenance the Service-Small Business of the Year.

The key to safety

Brittany Richard has been with KT Maintenance for eight years, having worked her way up from hole watch/fire watch to superintendent.

She has a keen understanding of the industry’s needs and currently oversees the site management for KT Maintenance at Motiva. This is for day-to-day operations and for any other project the company has, she steps in.

“We do hands-on training here, so we hire new to the industry. We don’t just hire experienced people. We love experienced people, but even with experienced people, we treat them as new to industry because of how we do things, which is totally different,” Richard said.

Once a person leaves the training portion, they have an ongoing mentorship in the field, where they are following up and doing observations in the field and weekly evaluations.

Tims calls it a process and one that’s changing.

Now, general contractors tend to have workers for more than the specialized crafts; they hire safety attendants.

Tims hopes the industry changes and safety attendants are seen as a craft and not just support.

“We support safety,” Tims said. “We make sure that everybody goes home safe. We make sure that when something happens, we try to catch it first so we can prevent it from happening. And those are our commitments to the industry.”

KT Maintenance, he said, raised the bar for safety.

The training, coupled with the management where work is done and checked, makes the program successful.

Moving forward

Known as a small safety attendant company, Tims said they do much more.

In 2013, Tims added KTMC Insulation & Scaffolding, LLC, as a di-

vision of KT Maintenance Company Inc., thus expanding the services.

The company also offers Texas Cool Down Trailers, which are all-season trailers that can be brought to an industrial site for workers to go in and either cool off in the heat of summer or get warm in the dead of winter.

Location

Tims, born and raised in Orange, opted to locate his business in downtown Port Arthur at 800 Procter St.

The building itself has been around for many decades and was

once home to Inman Chevrolet Company.

Tims noted the floor in one part of the building that still has the same decorative touches as before and a section of the garage still sports the area where the cars were driven up an incline to the showroom.

Much work was done, otherwise, to revamp the building — which had been vacant for years — to serve as the offices for KT Maintenance.

— By Mary Meaux

Mary Meaux/Orange Living Magazine

KT Maintenance employee Abdi Ordonez uses a forklift to move materials.

Sabine Pilots are serving the shipping industry and the public ports of Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange as well as the private oil terminals and the industrial complex of Southeast Texas. The Sabine Neches Waterway is the economic lifeline and the gateway to world commerce. It is the duty of the Sabine Pilots to maintain the safety and the environmental integrity of the waterway. We have done so since 1881 and pledge to continue.

Darlean’s Market and Café carries on family tradition

Arthur Thomas and sister Ledetria Beaudoin followed family footsteps when they dove into the restaurant business.

The siblings were children when their grandmother had a restaurant on 7th Street in downtown Port Arthur.

“We found a lot of her recipes, modified them and decided to pick up the trade ourselves,” Thomas said.

Thomas and Beaudoin are owners of Darlean’s Market and Café — a catering business recently named Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year by the Small Business Development Center at Lamar State College Port Arthur.

Courtesy photo Ledetria Beaudoin and Arthur Thomas, siblings, are the owners of Darlean’s Market and Café.

Thomas, a Navy veteran, spent 10 years in the military and afterwards attended Olympic College in Washington state, where he earned an associates degree in culinary arts.

After he returned home, he took over as executive chef at Holiday Inn Beaumont Plaza and was kitchen chef at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in 2001.

The catering business began in October 2021.

THE FOODS

Darlean’s offers a variety, such as barbecue, Mexican cuisine and a lot of southern-style cooking.

“The same as our grandmother,” he said.

For example, Thomas found his grandmother’s bread pudding recipe, modified it with few changes and now it’s a staple.

He also serves boudain balls, stuffed catfish and crab cakes. Many saw him and his crew at Port Arthur Rotary Club’s Taste of Gumbo dishing up creole-style delights.

Darlean’s has also catered a maritime event at Port of Port Arthur, a Southeast Texas construction group gathering and numerous occasions in Houston at 366 Lounge.

Having a full time job along with being a member of various organizations, Thomas enjoys help from his sister and wife, Angela. He also has help from various other family members.

Earning the title of Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year means a lot to the culinary expert, but it was a shock, he said.

The future looks bright for the business. Thomas plans to start with a food trailer and may transition into a brick and mortar building.

The food truck would allow the business to go to places in need, such as Sabine Pass. As for downtown, he would like to try his luck and support one of unused locations.

To contact Darlean’s, call 512-590-2512 or email darleanmc@gmail.com.

— Written by Mary Meaux

AT LEFT: Angela and Arthur Thomas.

BOTTOM: An event catered by Darlean’s Market and Café.

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Fit Body Boot Camp pumps up volume on community fitness

In a world where the fitness industry is saturated with endless options, Nederland Fit Body Boot Camp carved out a unique niche that’s turning heads and sculpting bodies across the region.

This was accomplished by providing more than just a place to sweat, but a community where every workout is a shared journey toward personal transformation.

“Fit Body Boot Camp stands out among other fitness centers due to its specialized focus on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts conducted in a small group setting,” owner Chad Hardy said.

“Unlike the solitary rows of treadmills and weights found in traditional gyms, Fit Body Boot Camp offers structured programs led by enthusiastic coaches, blending circuit training, strength workouts and cardio bursts to maximize results in minimum time.”

Hardy’s inspiration for opening the Nederland location was driven by a gap in the market for affordable,

impactful fitness solutions.

“We understood the hurdles individuals encountered in pursuing their fitness aspirations amidst busy schedules and wavering motivation,” Hardy said. “Our goal was to make fitness accessible to all, spanning across Nederland, Port Arthur and neighboring communities.”

Hardy took over the business in 2022 and believes the effectiveness of the workouts lies in the design.

Each session is only 30 minutes; however, they are designed to efficiently torch calories, boost metabolism and build strength through a combination of intense bursts of exercise followed by brief recovery periods.

This approach caters to busy lifestyles and ensures members achieve significant results without spending hours in the gym.

Fit Body Boot Camp was recently named Start-Up Small Business of the Year by the Small Business De-

Courtesy photo

Pictured, from top from left, are Joshua Lee, Damien Kirkland, Latoya Lucas, Chad Hardy, bottom, Kristen Baker and Mary Flores.

velopment Center at Lamar State College Port Arthur.

Beyond physical workouts, the boot camp is deeply committed to fostering a sense of community and giving back, helping members feel connected, not just to their fitness goals but to a larger purpose.

“Whether it’s organizing food drives, fundraising for local schools or supporting initiatives aimed at promoting health and fitness among underserved populations, we strive to make a positive impact beyond the walls of our facility,” Hardy said.

“We strive to make a positive impact beyond the walls of our facility. We hold the commitment to improving lives both inside and outside the gym.”

The success stories that emerge from Fit Body Boot Camp are nothing short of inspiring. From one client’s remarkable weight loss journey to another’s newfound strength and mobility, Hardy takes pride in each member’s triumph.

“These success stories show our commitment to empowering members of our community through our designed workouts and supportive community,” he said.

Running a fitness center in today’s competitive landscape is not without its challenges.

Hardy and his team navigate the complexities of catering to a diverse community by tailoring programs and outreach efforts to meet varying needs and prefer ences.

As for adapting to the digital fitness trend, Hardy believes in the irreplaceable value of in-person connec tions.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to deliver ing high-quality, results-driven workouts in a support ive and inclusive environment,” Hardy said.

With flexible class schedules catering to early birds and night owls alike, and an upcoming program spe cially designed for seniors, Fit Body Boot Camp is on a mission to make fitness achievable for everyone.

“Whether they’re a seasoned athlete or new to fit

ness, every member is encouraged to push themselves to their limits while listening to their body and making modifications as needed,” Hardy said.

Aside from physical workouts, Fit Body Boot Camp offers guidance on nutrition and overall wellness.

Coaches understand that achieving fitness goals goes beyond just the physical workouts. By integrating nutrition education into programs, they empower members to achieve balanced, long-term success in their fitness endeavors.

New members can expect a warm welcome and personalized coaching, ensuring they feel supported from their first step inside the gym and proving it’s not just about the workout but the people you sweat with.

“The typical experience for a new member is one of empowerment, support and excitement as they embark on their journey to improved health and fitness,” Hardy said.

For more information call 409-527-9876, visit fitbodybootcamp.com or stop by the location, 401 S. Memorial Freeway in Nederland.

— By Chrissie Mouton

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Coach Joshua Lee and Coach Latoya Lucas lead the instruction at Fit Body Boot Camp during a small group session.

Cruz Events impact driven by community compassion

Super talented and community-minded with a great team behind him, that’s how Diana LaBorde describes Daniel Cruz of Cruz Events LLC.

LaBorde, president and CEO of the Nederland Chamber of Commerce, said Cruz is a giver, strong at putting people together and getting the best out of everyone.

The event decorator has long been known to work with other local businesses; his partnerships are outlined at cruzeventsdecor.com under the vendors tab.

“We have about 117 local vendors that I showcase, so if someone says I’m looking for hair and makeup, I say look at our vendor tab. They’re there,” Cruz said recently from his seat at Golden Cup, another Nederland business.

The idea of the local vendor tab was born from the idea that a lot of people like to go to Houston but there are services locally that could do a better job.

“It’s about keeping everything local,” he said.

Cruz Events has a specific style that is starting to get recognition.

“One of the many things that I’ve taught my team is Cruz events have a look. When people walk into an event setup, they will know it was our work,” he said.

Cruz recently ran into a woman who attended the Majestic Krewe of Aurora Ball. The woman told him that when she entered the foyer she knew the décor was by his business. She said this not knowing Cruz Events did the job.

HOW IT BEGAN

Cruz has had a talent for decorating, going back to when he was a child. He did some event coordinating for The Hughen Center and later served as assistant principal and campus director at Bob Hope School.

During this time he was handling proms and parties

Mary Meaux/Orange Living Magazine

Daniel Cruz, owner of Cruz Events, was named the Hispanic Small Business of the Year by the Small Business Development Center.

for the students, and a kitchen manager took notice of his skills.

The woman asked him to decorate for her organization, Diamond-Netts Civic and Social Club. He’s served as event coordinator for the group for 16 years now.

On Jan. 1, 2016, he officially established his business, taking on small-scale events, such as parties and showers that went well. He went full time in April 2018, then that stalled. So he went back into the education field for a bit, then work began to ramp up again.

THE FUTURE

The future looks promising for Cruz Events. He is in year three of his five-year plan, which includes having his own venue.

His vision for it is something you would see in Houston. The venue would also have conference rooms, because of the amount of corporate events he has worked.

“We can offer this to our current clients and say, now we can host you,” he said.

It was the connections made in 2016 that compounded and led to even more connections and later to gigs for Motiva and Port Arthur LNG.

Cruz credits a solid team with helping make the business a success; Ashley Arvie, Marlene Castro, Yeneli Castro and Mabel Maguina.

LaBorde noted Cruz’s team plus attitude and his inclination to work with other vendors makes his busi ness a bit of a business incubator.

Cruz has some repeat events and some new ones coming up, including proms for schools in Port Arthur, Nederland and Vidor.

In fact, Vidor has already booked Cruz for next year’s prom, he said.

He was recently recognized by the Small Business Development Center as the Hispanic Small Business of the Year.

Cruz believes in the importance of giving back to the community. Cruz Events takes part in a scholarship program to aid first generation individuals further their education with college or a trade school.

The scholarship is intended for help with books or go toward a part of the tuition.

Cruz events has also donated funds to several cat rescue programs and established a supply drive via the Young Emerging Leaders to help the Port Arthur Animal Shelter.

This was undertaken with the assistance of the queens of the Mexican Heritage Festival and YEL members.

Other community related projects can be found on the business website.

Looking at the short term, Cruz is in need of a box truck so he can continue to grow the business. And he will soon be hiring someone to replace a balloon assistant.

— By Mary Meaux

Courtesy photo

Cruz Events decor are displayed and pictured for a recent SETX event.

Priority Wound Care driven by loss of mother

Sholanda Jacobs was 12 years old when her calling to become a healer was “born.”

After watching her mother succumb to a complex wound, Jacobs’ passion for wound care led her to opening a continuous wound care center in Nederland.

The work recently led the Small Business Development Center at Lamar State College Port Arthur to name the business — Priority Wound Care — its Black Small Business of the Year recipient.

“I have been in the field for 14 years and worked at Jefferson Extended Care as a wound care supervisor,” Jacobs said.

She began her business startup in April 2023 and opened the doors seven months later to provide continuous wound care to Southeast Texas.

“I wanted to pursue my own business,” Jacobs said. “I wanted to really be able to help the community in the hospital setting. I was able to manage the wounds and get them to a certain extent, but I never was able to follow them through where I was at.”

Jacobs said the loss of her mother gave birth to her “calling.”

“Mom had a surgical abdominal wound that had opened up,” she said. “I can remember as a child watching the home health nurses come out to dress my mom’s wound. And one Saturday they came out and they sent her back to the hospital. And she never came back.”

Jacobs said this gave her the compassion that she needed to continue.

“You know, it gives me that drive,” she said. “We really needed those moments.”

Priority Wound Care works with patients within a 130-mile radius.

“So, we travel as far as Jasper to our patients’ locations,” she said. “And we’ll do Liberty County and then that’s just kind of a little bit of saying like, ‘Hey, we

Sierra Kondos/Orange Living Magazine Sholanda Jacobs is the owner of Priority Wound Care in Nederland.

were bringing advanced wound care to you.’”

Services offered range from continuity of wound care and Lymphedema Therapy to customers utilizing the Ultra Sonic Debriding Machine.

“Lymphedema Therapy is for patients that have really big wounds,” she said.

The goal for the business is to expand its services by adding a mobile unit and a Hyperbaric Center with a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber, where patients are in the oxygen chamber who have low blood supply.

Jacobs says the human body requires good oxygen to heal wounds.

“Getting inside of that chamber adds additional oxygen and flows,” she said. “It helps give those wounds what they need to heal. There are medications and topical things that we use, but being in that chamber, you really can see some great results. And that’s been really my goal.

“I also want to be able to provide transportation for patients who are unable to get to the clinic. I want us to be able to assist in some kind of way.”

For more information, call Priority Wound Care leaders at 409-540-9418 or visit prioritywoundcare. com.

— By Sierra Kondos

Mary Meaux Kondos/Orange Living Magazine

Sholanda Jacobs is pictured in early 2022 demonstrating the ultrasonic debridement system on a tomato during her time working for Mid Jefferson Extended Care Hospital.

Bella Ink Studios

Cosmetic Tattoo and Beauty Bar offers variety of services under one roof

The Groves Chamber of Commerce named Bella Ink Studios: Cosmetic Tattoo and Beauty Bar the Small Business of the Year.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Letha Knaus delivered the news in February at the shop located at 5519 East Parkway.

“I was crying when she delivered the news,” said owner Rae Shauna Gay. “This all started by a leap of faith. I quit my full-time job at the Baptist Cancer Center and opened my permanent makeup business three years ago in a little 500 square feet shop three doors down from this space.”

Gay’s first hire at her original spot was Maria Rocha, who offers non-invasive body sculpting services.

“I will have been with the business three years come June,” Rocha said. “I offer body sculpting that consists of laser liposuction, Liposuction cavitation and radio frequency skin tightening, Brazilian butt lift, Wood therapy, teeth whitening and Yeso therapy wraps.”

However, Gay’s plan was to have a team that offers a variety of services under one roof. So, she moved into a bigger building that offers

Sierra Kondos/Orange Living Magazine

Bella Ink Studios owner Rae Shaunna Gay is pictured inside her studio in Groves.

spray tans and tanning beds, along with her team’s specialties.

Gay’s team expanded with women whose experiences ranged from Botox and fillers to spa facials and nail art.

“I have been a registered nurse for 35 years,” Laurie Smith said. “I offer an injectable aesthetic of Botox and fillers. I’ve always been interested in aesthetics and this service is very confidence boosting.”

Smith says women are more critical of themselves than anything and believes what you “see in the mirror reflects how you present yourself.”

“So, being able to give people more confidence, help them look younger and feel better about themselves makes me feel like I don’t work a day in my life,” she said.

Smith says there are other aspects of Botox besides aesthetics, and her goal is to become licensed this year to use Botox to treat chronic migraines and TMJ, which causes pain and tenderness in jaw joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments. This includes teeth grinding, jaw injuries, arthritis and “everyday wear and tear.”

Bella Ink Studio nail technicians are Trenton Porterfield and Sarah Guerrero.

“I specialize in acrylics, but I also do soft gels and structure gel manicures,” Porterfield said. “I’ve been doing nails for about 25 years, but I’ve been licensed to do nails for about five years.”

Alyssa Esquivel offers a variety of spa facials, waxes and lash specials.

“My facials range from basic to microdermabrasion, back facial and chemical peels,” she said. “My lash services range from lifts to tints and my wax services encompass face, arms and legs to the Brazilian.”

As Gay’s team members expand their services, the owner has grown from just offering permanent makeup.

“I offer lip fillers and tattoo removal,” she said. “The permanent makeup foundation helps cover a

Sierra Kondos/Orange Living Magazine

Sierra Kondos/Orange Living Magazine

client’s issue with Rosacea. There are certain skin conditions that may require a medical release that I must keep on file, and they can go to the esthetician that’s here for it.”

The three-year-old business is continuing to grow, and Gay’s end

goal is to own her own property for her business.

For more information, call Bella Ink Studios at 409-999- 6130.

— Written by Sierra Kondos

Alyssa Esquivel, Trenton Porterfield, Laurie Smith, Sarah Guerrero and Rae Shaunna Gay take a quick break at Bella Ink Studios: Cosmetic Tattoo and Beauty Bar. The team is normally quite busy, which is leading to strong local impact and a recent recognition as Business of the Year.

The team at Bella Ink Studios in Groves includes Alyssa Esquivel, Laurie Smith, Trenton Porterfield, Rae Shaunna Gay and Sarah Guerrero.

www.localfirst.setworks.org

Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas invites qualified workers to search and apply for work on the Golden Triangle Polymers Project (GTPC), a multi-billion dollar construction project in Orange, Texas expected to create approximately 4,500 construction jobs and approximately 500 permanent jobs. This online job database is a one-stop-shop for job seekers looking for work on the Golden Triangle Polymers Project, combining available opportunities from seven different companies into one, easy-to-use database.

Born to be a television reporter

Gloria Walker recognized for her work championing the community

For Gloria Walker, reporting the news isn’t just a profession; it’s a lifelong passion ignited by childhood dreams of being a television entertainer.

That has been noticed by the Small Business Development Center on the Lamar State College Port Arthur campus, which named Walker the Star Media Small Business Advocate of the Year.

SBDC Director Dana Espinal has seen and worked with Walker for a few years, promoting and covering stories related to the betterment of small businesses in the Golden Triangle.

“Her work is very thorough and professional,” Espinal said. “It’s been a pleasure working with Gloria, and I look forward to our continued work in advocating for small businesses in the Golden Triangle of Texas. Thank you Gloria for your reporting and doing a great job and congratulations on your recognition.”

Walker’s journey from Houston to the Golden Triangle is marked by a commitment to community engagement and impactful storytelling.

“I have always had a fascination with being on TV and entertaining in some form or fashion,” Walker shared, reflecting on her inspiration to pursue journalism. “Since the ripe age of 12, when someone asked what I wanted to be when I grow up, it was a TV reporter.”

Walker’s path into news reporting is unconventional. After interning in radio during college, she spent three years as a “Shooting Star” dancer and

Courtesy Photo

Gloria Walker is seen in May of 2023 reporting on the aftermath of straightline winds that destroyed homes and businesses. Resident Dave Brandon is shielding Walker from the rain.

in-game host for the Houston Astros.

However, the allure of journalism persisted.

“I applied for the job and got the opportunity, so I thought...’why not?’” she says.

Joining Channel 12 in November 2021, Walker’s approach to reporting has evolved.

“You learn a lot on the job. I learned time management and how to be a go-getter,” Walker says.

As a multimedia journalist, Walker wears many hats, from researching stories to shooting, interviewing, writing, editing and presenting them.

Each day begins with scouring social media for trending topics and contacting potential interviewees. Collaboration is key, as Walker and her team pitch impactful stories during meetings.

“I am very grateful to be a part of a team that is focused on the needs of the community,” Walker said. “We always try to provide solutions in our stories, not just point out the problem.”

Despite the challenges of reporting on sensitive or controversial topics, Walker approaches her role with dedication and responsibility.

One of her proudest moments is heartfelt grat itude she received from a viewer for rekindling their interest in local news.

“In an era where some people can have a lot of distrust for the media, I had a viewer reach out to me to personally thank me for getting them to watch the local news again,” she recalled with pride.

Walker envisions local news evolving in response to digital media’s rise.

For aspiring reporters, she advises involvement in clubs, internships and connecting with local journalists.

“We can be an attainable tool if you have questions,” she says.

Navigating the demanding schedule of a journalist remains a challenge for Walker, who continues to seek balance between work and personal life.

“You have to remember you are human too,” she says.

When asked about her criteria for measuring the success of her reported stories, Walker says “it’s always nice to see your story trending online and on social media, but the true success is if the person I interviewed is happy with the way my story came out.”

COVER STORY

Small business champs share stories, passions

Nathan Rivers of SETEX Construction Corporation, Ida Schossow of the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce and Stephen Hemelt of Orange Newsmedia are helping present awards at the 2024 Annual Small Business Awards Banquet in Orange County.

The event is hosted by the Small Business Development Center, located on the campus of Lamar State College Port Arthur.

Rivers, who serves as president of SETEX Construction, was last year’s Star Business of the Year. He is presenting the 2024 honor to First Response Urgent Care and Dr. Thi Nguyen.

Schossow, Chamber president, was last year’s Small Business Champion of the Year. She is presenting the 2024 honor to Letha Knaus of the Groves Chamber.

Hemelt, publisher of the Orange Leader and Port Arthur News, was last year’s STAR Media Small Business Advocate of the Year. He is presenting this year’s award to Gloria Walker, formerly of 12News.

IDA SCHOSSOW

Ida Schossow has a passion to see businesses succeed.

With a background in banking and years of volunteering with the chamber through her previous job, Schossow understands small businesses are the backbone of America.

Schossow understands the importance of a chamber of commerce; she said her job is about helping.

“We help businesses in many different ways. We help new businesses come in. We help established businesses who may be struggling in an area and those maybe considering expanding and need advise on how to do that,” Schossow said.

Through her years of experience she knows where additional resources are. She may refer the business to the economic development corporation or to the SBDC.

“We try to put them in touch with people that can

help them,” she said. “It’s really all about helping local businesses in whatever their needs are.”

The retired banker has a background in finance but also has served as past chairman at the chamber through her job.

When the chamber job came open she was a natural fit.

Schossow knows the importance of listening to the needs of businesses; owners may need a small business loan or a business plan, maybe some incentives or abatements.

She recalls the unchartered waters during COVID and how she realized she needed to step up and take initiative.

Stephen Hemelt/Orange Living Magazine

Ida Schossow, seen outside her office in Orange, is the president of the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce.

“No one knew anything,” she said of life during the pandemic. “I was concerned about our small businesses and how they would survive.”

She tried working from home but many of the tools she needed were at the office. At that time she was networking with the Texas Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, then the COVID PPP loans came out.

She delved into the topic and learned as much as she could, then headed back to the office. She kept informed of all changes as they were rolled out while keeping in contact with the small businesses.

“We have to learn quick if we are to be advocates for businesses,” she said. “I felt like I had to do everything I could to get information to businesses and the help they needed.

“Small business drives everything. The more you have, the more jobs you have. The more jobs you have, the more employees you have. The more employees you have, the more families you have. The more families you have, the more houses you have. It’s a domino effect.”

NATHAN RIVERS

SETEX Construction Corporation broadened its services in the year since being named the Star Business of the Year by the Small Business Development Center.

The Beaumont based company has had a hand in many projects across the area from Baptist Hospital – Lumberton Outpatient Center to The Press Building in Port Arthur.

“While we continue to provide management of large and small renovation and new building projects, we have added the capabilities of constructing public utilities, such as water, sewer, gas and storm piping. Our team has grown with the addition of local skilled personnel, and we have expanded our equipment fleet,” said Nathan Rivers, president of SETEX Construction Corp.

“This allows us the diversification in business to be successful in the cyclical nature of the construction industry, while also providing more services to our local client base.”

Rivers understands small businesses are important to the community and beyond, calling them essential pillars of community and the broader economy.

“They bring vitality, diversity and innovation, creating a dynamic and resilient business landscape that benefits everyone,” he said.

Rivers offered advice for other small businesses or those just getting a start. He said there are many admirable traits found in small business owners.

The one trait he advises others to hone is discipline.

“Discipline in one’s dedication to the priorities in

one’s life; be it their faith, their family, their life goals or their business,” he said.

“Extend that discipline into how you are taking care of your health to perform at your highest level, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Show discipline in how you control your emotions under stressful circumstances.”

He noted there will be times when your “re-action” may not be the best “action” to take.

Maintain fiscal discipline in business and personal decisions, he added.

“Entities such as the Lamar State College Port Arthur Small Business Development Center and the SBA (Small Business Administration) provide an incredible amount of assistance for small business owners,” he said.

“Utilizing their services can drastically speed up the learning process of opening and running your business.”

The Star Business of the Year award is presented by the Small Business Development Center.

SETEX Construction Corp. is located at 5555 College St., Suite 103 Beaumont. You can also find them at setexconstruction.com.

— By Mary Meaux

Candace Hemelt/Orange Living Magazine Nathan Rivers, seen outside his office in Beaumont, is the president of SETEX Construction Corporation.

PERSONAL CARE

Courtesy photo Anasha Butler holds Cailey Christian at AB Genuine Healthcare.

In April 2020, amidst the global uncertainty and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, AB Genuine Healthcare, a primary care clinic, was launched by determined nurse practitioner Anasha Butler.

She was aiming to make a difference in her hometown of Port Arthur.

With a vision for accessible and compassionate care, AB Genuine Healthcare has rapidly grown into a vital part of the city’s medical community.

Butler, who began her nurse practitioner career in 2017, always envisioned establishing her own practice.

However, the journey to opening AB Genuine Healthcare came sooner than anticipated.

“My timing and God’s timing did not match,” Butler says, reflecting on the divine intervention she felt in the creation of her clinic during such a critical time.

Originally situated between 36th and 39th Street in a modest tworoom suite, AB Genuine Healthcare faced its first challenge with location accessibility.

Difficulties in directing patients to this initial location prompted a move to Gulfway Drive, a wellknown street that significantly eased the process of finding the clinic. As the pandemic evolved and patient visits transitioned back indoors, the need for more space became apparent.

“The new location, like

everything else that took place with ABGH, just fell into place,” Butler said. “I know it was ordained by God.”

AB Genuine Healthcare’s journey from its inception to the present location on Anchor Drive has been marked by achievements rapid growth. The clinic was listed by the Port Arthur Health Department as a COVID-19 testing site, a significant recognition for a small business among larger health care entities.

“Imagine that, a new primary care office with one provider and one medical assistant being able to provide a much needed service at such an unpredictable time for the community,” Butler said.

AB Genuine Healthcare was recently named Women Owned Business of the Year by the Small Business Development Center at Lamar State College Port Arthur.

This milestone underscored AB Genuine Healthcare’s role addressing urgent community

health needs and led to tripling its staff to accommodate the increased demand.

Offering a comprehensive range of primary care services, including sick visits, well visits and various clearances and testing, AB Genuine Healthcare prides itself on its approach to health care.

What sets it apart is not just the breadth of services but the personal touch and accessibility offered to patients.

“I am not a part of a

Courtesy photo

The team outside AB Genuine Healthcare in Port Arthur includes Yesenia Lares, Martina Clay, Anasha Butler, Jazmin Vazquez, Tania Torres and Tynequa Iles.

large corporation, and my patients do not have to jump through hoops to get what they need,” Butler said. “Sometimes, small is better. With bigger companies, you lose that close knit feeling.”

As a standalone practice, it avoids the bureaucracy sometimes associated with larger health systems, providing care to entire families — from newborns to adults.

“I am unaware of any place, here locally, that offers the option to service the whole family by the same provider,” she said.

AB Genuine Healthcare accepts all Medicaid plans and the majority of private/commercial insurances, ensuring broad accessibility to its services.

Hours of operation are designed to accommodate patients’ needs, with adjustments made during the summer to allow staff more family time, reflecting the clinic’s family oriented values.

Despite its success, the clinic recognizes challenges in health care access, including long wait times, language barriers, financial burdens and transportation issues.

“One of the missions of ABGH is to help as many people as possible, through a comprehensive approach,” Butler said. “If a patient needs help beyond my scope, we try to keep the lines of communication open and link them to the appropriate parties.”

Now housed in a facility with four patient rooms and supported by a bilingual staff, including a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), a medical assistant and two receptionists, AB Genuine Healthcare stands as a testament to the founder’s vision and dedication to her community.

Born and raised in Port Arthur, Butler’s heart remains with the city, driving her commitment to addressing its health care needs and ensuring accessibility for all residents.

“You have to have a heart for the population being serviced,” she said.

AB Genuine Healthcare is open Mondays through Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon.

For more information, call 409-2174057.

— By Chrissie Mouton

Courtesy photo

Anasha Butler holds David Lares at AB Genuine Healthcare in Port Arthur.

Courtesy photo

The team at AB Genuine Healthcare includes Yesenia Lares, Martina Clay, Anasha Butler, Jazmin Vazquez, Tania Torres and Tynequa Iles.