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| Developing Entrepreneurs ... Growing Sustainable Businesses |
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Olivia Gonzales - OMEGA Lingerie
Olivia is the owner of OMEGA Lingerie, a retail company located at the Plaza Latina Bazaar in Dallas. OMEGA was established in 1998 and later she opened her own retail store in 2002. Olivia sells premium lingerie and women’s fashion shoes that targets the booming Hispanic market in Dallas.
Olivia is a born entrepreneur and has had her own business for over a decade, “I am extremely happy to have a business that I truly love. I run my business with lots of affection so that my clients will leave my store satisfied and will recommend me to their friends.” In the fall of 2003, she took her first PLAN Fund loan for $1,500 to broaden her business line. Two years later Olivia received her second loan of $2,000 to further expand her inventory selection. Olivia is a single mother with three young children.
Samuel Hills — S & A Oxygen Express
Sam Hills is President of S & A Oxygen Express, a growing Medical Equipment Company based in Mesquite, Texas. Sam has been in the durable medical equipment industry for 7 years when he started S & A Oxygen in January 2003. When Sam started his company it was a one person shop, he was responsible for everything including: sales, marketing, operations, delivery, office manager etc. As a new business without a track record, no commercial bank would provide Sam with the necessary capital to kick start his business.
The PLAN Fund in early 2003 stepped in to provide Sam his first loan for $1,500 and then a year later Sam received a second loan for $3,000. By 2005, in just over two and half years, through determination and vision to succeed, Sam has grown his business from an idea with no billings to a company with five full time employees and revenues that approach almost $300K.
This September the PLAN Fund achieved a milestone when Sam joined the PLAN Fund board and became the PLAN Fund’s first former borrower to be a board member. Prior to his business career, Sam had a distinguished 26 year naval career and honorably retired in 1996 at the position of Senior Chief Petty Officer. Sam and wife Allison have successfully raised eight children.
Myrtle Fowlks — Teacakes & More
Myrtle grew up in rural Texas one of eleven children. One of her fondest memories is;helping her mother in the kitchen and by the time she was 12
years she was cooking full course meals. Years later Myrtle’s love of
cooking was her inspiration for her opening in 1998 "Teacakes & More" a full
service catering company.
While cooking delicious cuisine has always been
her strength, Myrtle found that running a business and keeping good records of her expenses was challenging. Members of Myrtle’s church, who were small business owners themselves, suggested that she join the PLAN Fund. In 2002 Myrtle became a member of the PLAN Fund. She enjoyed the supportive atmosphere, training and members’ sharing information about their businesses.
In December 2003, she received a $1,500 loan from the PLAN Fund to purchase catering equipment and other supplies. Through the Plan Fund, she has met many successful business entrepreneurs, learned how to better
market her company and write a business plan. 2005 was Myrtle’s best year
yet and she is forecasting to triple her profits in 2006. Myrtle’s life philosophy is that if you are handed a lemon, don't make just lemonade make a lemon pie!
Veronica Rivera — JBS Cleaning Services
When Veronica’s husband suffered a workplace accident in 2002 resulting in him becoming temporary disabled, Veronica knew her husband and two children could not be supported on her minimal wage salary. She decided to start her own residential/commercial janitorial service.
Veronica’s objective in starting her business was simple, to generate a better income to support her family. With the help of her first PLAN Fund loan for $1,500 in July 2002, Veronica Rivera founded JBS Cleaning Services, a janitorial service targeting small businesses. With her loan she purchased the basic equipment for her business to get off the ground, and bought a used car needed to travel to her customers.
In 2003 her husband was able to join their business. Veronica took second and third PLAN Fund loans in 2003 and 2005 respectively to purchase commercial quality janitorial equipment and liability insurance. The PLAN Fund further assisted Veronica by providing her a mentor to help her develop a business plan and a marketing campaign to help grow her business. Veronica also began to attend English classes as she felt that her lack of ability to converse in English was a barrier for her business’s growth.
In 2005 JBS revenues are expected to nearly reach $50,000 and provide an income that is close to triple her former minimum wage salary!
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The PLAN Fund
2801 Swiss Ave. Dallas, TX 75204
Phone: (214) 942-6698, Fax: (214) 828-4248, Email: info@planfund.org |
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