Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Commons^™

Interview No. 1498, Kelly Thomas Pacheco

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

Kelly gives her father, the late George Thomas the credit of having mentored and guided her through the residential building business and Kelly also recognizes she learned decorating from watching her mother who had a natural talent for decorating. Kelly began decorating model homes while in high school. After high school, Kelly ventured into her own business called Del Pueblo Furniture and she would purchase furniture in México and re-sell it in the United States. At the end of 1989, Kelly began working for her father in his business Carefree Homes. Kelly eventually branched out with her own business, Quality …

Interview No. 1497, Lisa Herrera

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

Lisa got her start in selling retail with her mother and sister who owned and ran a local bridal shop. Lisa’s father also ran a motel and did most of the work at the motel himself. Lisa learned how to manage a business and the work ethic that goes with it from watching her parents run their businesses. Later while Lisa worked at a boutique she was approached by local business woman Joanne Wardy to sell corporations gifts for their company. Lisa got into the business and with the help of her husband she was able to grow slowly and …

Interview No. 1496, Jorge Vielledent

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

At the time of Jorge’s graduation from The University of Texas at El Paso, his father presented him with $500 dollars so Jorge could get his licenses, registrations, pay the exams fees, and NASD registrations. Initially when Jorge graduated from college he worked internationally with clients all over the world, especially those from México. When the 1994 devaluation of the peso occurred, Jorge ventured into the business he has now. Jorge networks with companies such as AXA. Jorge’s company, Synergy Group works to help people with financial planning. The company assists clients in the accumulation phase, distribution phase and transfer …

From Imitators To Inventors: China’S Changing Innovation Landscape, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

Long derided as an economic entity happier to copy than to invent, the number of patents filed and assigned in China has been growing at 13% annually in the two decades to 2006, with a total of 1.1 million patents awarded. Private enterprises, after a slow start, are now leading the charge in securing an ever bigger number of patents, especially after 2001. Individuals, meanwhile, are the second most prolific group. What causes this surge in patent applications? What are some of the issues involved? SMU management professor Kenneth Huang details findings from a recent study.

Interview No. 1495, Yolanda Diaz

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

Yolanda recalls having a wonderful childhood being raised by her mother. While in high school Yolanda joined Vocational Office Education at Jefferson High school. This program helped Yolanda learn basic bookkeeping and accounting as well as provide opportunities for a job while in high school. Yolanda took advantage of the program and learned as much as she could. Yolanda also worked for the Veterans Affairs as an administrative assistant for the pharmacists. Yolanda would go on to work for Petro Shopping Centers, Jack Cardwell, Media Copy and Texas Gas Services in the accounting and bookkeeping aspects of those businesses. Yolanda …

Nonprofit Organisations And Social Entrepreneurship Intentions, Wee Liang Tan

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Nonprofit organizations are valued because they provide services that address unmet needs. Non-profit organizations who engage in social entrepreneurship augment their contributions through the new services, programs, enterprises and revenue generated. It is not surprising, therefore, for policy makers to encourage social entrepreneurship, social innovations and social enterprises. Such an initia-tive was introduced in Singapore recently. However, not all nonprofit organizations seek to innovate or create social enterprises. They may continue to devote themselves to their specific fields and exist-ing practices. Entrepreneurship research suggests that under certain conditions, organizations engage in entrepreneurship through new ventures, projects, and innovations. Hence, it …

The North American Consortium For Entrepreneurship: Lessons Learned And Best Practices On Hosting International Students, Stella Sixing Xu, Gary B. Roberts, Dorothy Brawley, Bob Desman, Kamal Fatehi

Journal of Global Initiatives: Policy, Pedagogy, Perspective

In 2004, Kennesaw State University became a part of the North American Consortium for Entrepreneurship (NACE). Its mission is to advance the study and practice of entrepreneurship in the North American business community and develop successful entrepreneurial careers in the expanding markets fostered by the implementation of the North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA). In spring 2006, KSU hosted students from Canada, Mexico, and the United States as part of the NACE global initiative. Volunteers from an on-campus student organization, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), coordinated the project. This paper presents a descriptive case study of the semester-long exchange, along …

Interview No. 1494, Raul Ramos

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

Raul Ramos purchased Han-D-Pak from Mr. Young. Raul admits not knowing much about owning a small business however he did see a need for the products within the local market. Raul worked out of a small grocery owned by his mother-in-law and had the help of his two brothers and mother. They would all work to package and deliver the products to the local grocery stores. Raul hand made the racks to hold his product until he was able to hire a carpenter to assist him in the creation of the racks. Raul bought into El Paso products from companies …

Interview With Farhad Ghafarzade, Green Drop Garage, 2010 (Audio), Farhad Ghafarzade

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Farhad Ghafarzade by Jeff Howard in SE Portland, Oregon on August 6th, 2010.

The interview index is available for download.

New Dentist News (August 2010), Ada Committee On The New Dentist

New Dentist News

New Dentist News offers timely information on scientific, social, educational, political and economic developments affecting new dentists. This collection is historical and items may not reflect current standards. For up-to-date information contact the ADA. The New Dentist News was alternately titled ADA Lifeline, 1997-June 2001.

Interview No. 1493, Julius Lowenberg

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

When Julius graduated from St. Patrick’s Cathedral High School in the early 1950’s, he went to work for Fur Foods and then the railroad company. After being let go from the railroad company, Julius started volunteer coaching touch football. The following year, Julius began coaching tackle football and basketball at St. Patrick’s. During this time, Julius began attending The University of Texas at El Paso and did so while coaching at St. Patrick’s. Julius left St. Patrick’s to coach at Putnam Elementary when he was offered a high school coaching job at a school in Canutillo, a community in the …

Interview No. 1492, Patti Holland Branch

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

Patti Holland Branch began developing her skills as an entrepreneur when she was around the age of 8. Patti purchased a weave machine to make pot holders and sold them around the neighborhood to earn money for her family. Patti would also host a summer school for the kids in her neighborhood and would receive gifts of cash for her efforts. When Patti was a teenager, she worked for the Mayor’s office creating a scrapbook. She eventually earned the Dorrance D. Roderick scholarship to attend Texas Western College. Patti married her husband and they moved to Germany for his work …

Interview No. 1491, Mike Garcia

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

Mike was brought to El Paso by his godmother to attend school at Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, Texas when he was 11 years old. Mike had his first job working at a bowling alley in El Paso at the age of 12. At the age of 15 years old, he got married. Mike cared for and loved his mother Benita very much. He recalls that she taught him to better his life, to better his family, to do the proper thing, to be honest with himself, and to have self-respect. Mike has used these concepts to build his …

Interview No. 1490, Leigh Kersh

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

Leigh Kersh was born in El Paso, Texas to Moe and Rosie Kersh. Leigh attended The University of Texas at El Paso and The University of Texas at Austin before attending New York University and graduating with a degree in Physiology. While Leigh finished her degree at NYU, she worked for Federal Express in customer service and then once she graduated she became their corporate physiologist. Leigh credits her time with Federal Express for learning how to do customer service, how to run an operation, and how to train the right people for the company. Leigh grew up watching her …

Interview No. 1489, Don Shapiro

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

Don Shapiro was born and raised in the New York Metropolitan Area. In the 1930’s Don’s father Isadore worked in the fur district in New York City. When Don graduated from high school, he joined the United States Naval Reserve during World War II. After WWII, Done atteneded NYU and got a degree in accounting. After graduating NYU, he became a door to door salesman in New York City. After a time in New York, Don and his friend Harry Katz decided to drive cross country to California and work to earn money along the way. They started by driving …

Discourse At The Edge: Enterprise Discourse In Ireland, Brendan O'Rourke

Conference papers

Ireland is an economy, society and culture at the edge. It is at the edge of Europe and at the edge of both USA/UK and more mainland European or EU variants of capitalism. More recently it has been at the edge of economic crisis. Yet enterprise discourse is still central in Ireland. Enterprise discourse in Ireland is influenced by global and European Union (EU) developments. However, Irish enterprise discourse is not merely a ‘local adoption’. For example, high Irish economic growth rates during the ‘Celtic Tiger’ period have coincided with the development of the EU’s enterprise policy, thus giving the …

Interview No. 1487, Gustavo Rodriguez

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

Gustavo learned the glass trade while growing up and working alongside his father. The name of his father’s business was Rodriguez Glass. Gustavo’s father had a hard time purchasing glass at an honest price and would purchase glass from Ciudad Juárez, México until a man from Amarillo approached them about buying the glass from him. Gustavo met his wife Elma when they were in high school and they married five years later. Gustavo was in the United States Navy Construction Battalion Reserves and was drafted into the Vietnam War in the early 1960’s. When Gustavo returned home, he had $500 …

Interview No. 1486, Elma Rodriguez

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

Elma met her husband Gus when they were in high school and they married five years later. Gus served in the Vietnam War and when he got out he was given $500.00 so he and Elma decided to start a business. At the time they lived on Basil St. and they started their business out of their home garage and so they named their company Basil Glass Incorporated. Another reason why they named their company Basil Glass instead of their last name is because they wanted to avoid as much discrimination as possible. As Hispanic entrepreneurs starting a business in …

Interview No. 1485, Paul Zacour

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

Paul Zacour took real estate classes and began to sell real estate when he was 19 years old. After graduating from The University of Texas at El Paso in 1986, Paul moved to Austin, Texas to be a part of the real estate market boom. In 1992, Paul moved back to El Paso, Texas. He began to work with Fred McKinstry doing appraisals together. The name of the company then became McKinstry-Zacour and Associates. When the opportunity to buy the company arose, Paul took it and Fred McKinstry semi-retired. The company then morphed into Zacour and Associates. Paul’s company works …

Right Up Our Valley: Why Singapore Ought To Quit Copying Silicon Valley, Knowledge@Smu

Knowledge@SMU

For a small piece of land with no natural resources to offer, Singapore's economy relies a lot on its strategic geographical location, human talents, as well as a penchant for wanting to be the global, and if not, regional 'hub' for commerce, arts and sciences. Where technology is concerned, the one to beat is Silicon Valley. A tall order, perhaps, but the draw is unmistakably alluring. On its own, the Valley boasts a GDP of US$100 billion, generating more wealth per person than anywhere else in the USA. Not content with just salivating over that piece of the pie, Singapore …

A Tentative Recovery, Eric Thompson, University Of Nebraska-Lincoln

Business in Nebraska

U.S. Macroeconomic Outlook

The U.S. economy is persevering in its transition to a self-sustaining recovery fueled by private consumer spending and business investment. But, that transition is tenuous, with factors both encouraging and discouraging growth. Among factors encouraging growth, consumer spending and business investment continue to expand, supported by rising wage income and profits. As is typical in an economic recovery, profits have rebounded as businesses which cut costs during the recession are benefiting from rising revenue. The labor market also has begun to recover. While gains have been limited, the U.S. economy has added private sector jobs over the …

Financing The Next Silicon Valley, Darian M. Ibrahim

Faculty Publications

Silicon Valley’s success has led other regions to attempt their own high-tech transformations, yet most imitators have failed. Entrepreneurs may be in short supply in these “non-tech” regions, but some non-tech regions are home to high-quality entrepreneurs who relocate to Silicon Valley due to a lack of local financing for their start-ups. Non-tech regions must provide local finance to prevent entrepreneurial relocation and reap spillover benefits for their communities. This Article compares three possible sources of entrepreneurial finance—private venture capital, state-sponsored venture capital, and angel investor groups—and finds that angel groups have distinct advantages when it comes to funding innovation …

The Accelerator, Volume 4 Issue 6, Summer 2010, Christa Santos

The Accelerator

No abstract provided.

University Students' Assessment Of Entrepreneurial Environments, Byungku Lee

College of Business: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Entrepreneurial intention is a primary step to create new venture in the entrepreneurial process. Environmental conditions are one of the main factors that are strengthening or weakening intention of prospective entrepreneur. Therefore, it is important to develop conducive environments for entrepreneurship to promote entrepreneurial intention. Moreover, the promoted entrepreneurial intention will raise the rate of new venture creation. This paper investigates the relationships between five key environments for entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention. The five entrepreneurial environments are: government policies and procedures, socioeconomic conditions, entrepreneurial and business skills, financial assistance, and non-financial assistance, respectively. Conjoint analysis was used to determine the …

A First Course In Entrepreneurship Fundamentals, Part I, Alex Stewart

Management Faculty Research and Publications

This two-part article offers ideas for teaching students who are interested in entrepreneurship but unprepared for the widely-taught business plan course. Their lack of preparation is due less to a lack of business knowledge than it is to an awareness of their life and career needs and of the realities of entrepreneurial careers. Course content ideas are presented to help these students develop competencies in four areas: self-understanding, knowledge of entrepreneurial careers, a realistic sense of what ventures would work for them, and business-relevant creativity.

Ua62/3 June Newsletter, Kentucky Small Business Development Center

University Organizations

Newsletter created by the Kentucky Small Businesss Development Center at WKU.

Interview No. 1484, Sylvia Martinez

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

Sylvia Martinez, her then husband and his brother decided to start inhome healthcare support business to assist families in El Paso. The business is called Altomar and is located in El Paso, Texas. Their business provided help for families dealing with special needs children. Altomar is a woman-owned certified as well as minority certified business. Sylvia also owns Altomar New Mexico and just started Altomar Medical Equipment Company that provides medical equipment. Sylvia is a member of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Altomar is able to help the El Paso community was …

Interview No. 1483, Edith Morales

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

Edith Morales was born in El Paso, Texas but grew up in Ciudad Juárez, México as well. Edith attended The University of Texas at Dallas. She began working at a company called Daisy Tech in Plano, Texas eventually running their Latin America division in Miami, Florida and in México City, México. After twelve years of working for that company, the company went out of business. Edith started Printek Supplies Inc. in Miami. In 2005 while visiting family in El Paso, Edith and her husband decided to move their company and family back to El Paso. Edith belongs to the Greater …

Interview No. 1481, Armando Reyes

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

When Armando was a 12 years old, he began accompanying his father to work at Alejandro’s Plumbing Company. When Armando was a teenager, he worked for that company as well. Armando Reyes graduated from Jefferson High School in 1965 and worked for Pacific Food Express after graduation. Once the job ended, Armando and four friends left for California to find work. He was able to find work in California that paid well but eventually Armando returned to El Paso. When he returned, Armando attended El Paso Community College and worked with his brother Julian at an air conditioning company called …

Interview No. 1482, Carlos Guzman

Paso del Norte Entrepreneurship Oral History Project

Carlos Guzman was born and raised in Puerto Rico and lived in there until he joined the United States Army. Prior to joining the military, Carlos obtained his Bachelor degree from the University of Puerto Rico in biology and chemistry. While in the military, Carlos served as an officer and served in Iraq from 2004 until 2005. Upon returning from Iraq, Carlos began to pursue his M.A. in computer resource management. It was during this time that Carlos met Larry Walter and the two became interested in biofuel technology after a discussion on biofuel. Carlos began investigating what it would …