The flip of a coin changed Gabe’s life.
Originally from El Paso, TX, Gabe Orozco decided to move to Austin 21 years ago on the flip of a coin. Once in Austin, he began working at STAR Windshield Repair, a local family-owned windshield repair shop. In 2018, STAR’s owners were ready to retire and offered to sell the business to their long-time employee, Gabe.
“I didn’t know anything about business,” says Orozco. “I was going to banks and I couldn’t get a loan without a business plan.”
Gabe was put in touch with Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) and from there his plan began to take shape. EGBI provides training, coaching and support to aspiring and existing local entrepreneurs who may face barriers to growing a successful business. With access to those crucial resources, Gabe was able to purchase STAR and has since completed EGBI’s business workshop series, qualified for a Small Business Administration loan from PeopleFund, and connected with The University of Texas School of Law Entrepreneurship & Community Development Clinic for legal support as he continues to grow STAR’s business.
“My dad always wanted to be a business owner,” Gabe admits, “and it’s incredible to see that dream come true for me.”
EGBI is one of the Hispanic Impact Fund’s community grant partners. The Hispanic Impact Fund, a program of Austin Community Foundation, leverages the assets, resilience and strength of our Latino community to invest in nonprofit and social enterprise solutions. Since 2018, the Fund has awarded $20,000 to support EGBI’s mission of empowering more Hispanic entrepreneurs in Central Texas.
Learn more about the Hispanic Impact Fund and how you can become a member of this giving network.