Press Room

UTEP Program Teaches Franchising

By David Burge / El Paso Times

Borderland residents can learn all about franchising and whether this business format is the right fit for them during an intensive 2 1/2-day certificate program next month at UTEP.

The spring workshop will take place April 24-26 in the UTEP Union East Wing and is designed to teach attendees the ins and outs of franchising, Gough said. Anyone can attend the program, not just students.

"We present the risks involved as well as the benefits," Gough said. "We want everyone who attends to be able to make an intellectual decision" on whether to get involved in franchising.

El Paso native Marc L. Stelley, owner of the LA Boxing franchise on the East Side, attended the workshop in October 2004, and opened his business in June 2006. He highly recommends the seminar.

"I think it was tremendously informative," Stelley said. "It guided me to wisely choose a franchise that caters to my lifestyle. That's very important.

"Basically, they gave me all the information you need, from legalities to bank loans," Stelley continued. "It covered all the bases you need to open a business, whether it's a franchise or you're starting a business on your own."

Stelley's gym now has more than 600 members.

The franchise course, Gough said, will include eight hours of legal advice, a two-hour session on how to find financing for your business and two hours on management and communication skills.

Bielecki will speak at 1 p.m. on April 24, and Moore will speak at the same time on April 26.

Bielecki, a San Antonio businessman who oversees 46 Fantastic Sams franchises, said his talk will focus on getting participants to ask some tough questions about what they want out of a business and guide them to pick the right business for their personalities and needs.

"I've seen a lot of people, either in Fantastic Sams or other franchising companies, who weren't successful. It wasn't the location; it wasn't the system," he said. "The bottom line: It wasn't the right fit for them.

"So often, they'll pick a business because of what they like as a customer. But being a customer is different than owning a business. A lot of people go into business and don't realize how much time it takes. It takes a lot of time, especially at the beginning, if you want to be a success."

El Pasoan Homero Galicia, a part-time lecturer at UTEP, attended the conference about a year and a half ago and recently bought a business-coaching franchise called Estrada Strategies.

The seminar was "very helpful," Galicia said. "It gave me a level of confidence I didn't have before about franchising. I didn't understand franchising before I took the seminar, but it gave me a good understanding of the value of franchising.

"People get into franchising with little idea of what they're doing; this really lays it out there."

Dick Rennick, founder of American Leak Detection, which he sold about two years ago, and former chairman of the International Franchise Association, called the UTEP program "dollar for dollar one of the best bangs for your buck I've seen."

The program is designed to give you a well-rounded look at franchising and business in general, said Rennick, who was twice the event's keynote speaker.

"It's a good, solid program for young and old alike," he said. "It's good for students who are looking into going into business. If you're in business and want to grow your business, you can attend to find out how franchising can be that help."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 25, 2008

Estrada Strategies Inc. opens a new franchise in the "Lone Star State"

EL PASO, TX - Another franchise is awarded in the month of February! Estrada Strategies Inc. is pleased to announce their newest franchisee, Homero Galicia in El Paso, Texas.

Homero Galicia has been involved in the business community since 1985 when he was involved in developing the Minority Business Council where he served as a Director of the El Paso Chamber of Commerce and later served as the interim Executive Director. While there, Homero facilitated the development of several organizations which continue to enrich the delivery of small business services and increasing federal contracting opportunities to businesses. He also served the City of El Paso as the Executive Assistant to Mayor Bill Tilney. He is actively involved in local affairs, having served as Chairman of the Hispanic Leadership Institute and the City of El Paso IT Advisory Board. He has served the Independent School District on the 2003 Bond Accountability Committee and on the District wide Educational Improvement Council.

"I see owning an Estrada Strategies franchise as a continued service to my community. I look forward to helping El Paso businesses thrive," says Homero.

Homero's resume proves that he has a natural passion for teaching and training and has spent most of his career helping the small to medium sized business owner succeed. "With Homero's skills, he is a natural match for a 'training and coaching' business" says Ruben Estrada, CEO of Estrada Strategies Franchise Inc. "El Paso is my hometown. It is a special place for me. I am delighted that we have someone of Mr. Galicia's experience leading this franchise and are happy to have him in the Estrada family". Homero will continue to teach a course in Hispanic Entrepreneurship at UTEP in El Paso. He has also taught at CSU at San Jose, UTEP where he taught in the Political Science Department, and at several community colleges.

At present, Mr. Galicia serves as a member of the Public Utilities Regulation Board and is a member of the Southwest Border Region SBDC Advisory Council representing the SBDC at the El Paso Community College, where he has been involved for the past 22 years. Lastly, Mr. Galicia was the recipient of the El Paso District Small Business Advocate of the Year in 1995. He is a veteran of the US Air Force.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 12, 2008

Estrada Strategies Inc. will be training & coaching business executives in Colorado

ENGLEWOOD, CO -- Estrada Strategies Inc. has just awarded a franchise to Mike Tafoya, new owner of "Estrada Strategies-Denver Tech Center, LLC", of Englewood, CO. This Southern California based franchise company is proud to have Mike Tafoya as its newest franchisee. Estrada Strategies-Denver Tech Center is a business leadership training and coaching center. "Business owners don't know - what they don't know" says Ruben Estrada, CEO of Estrada Strategies Franchise Inc., "Our job as business trainers and coaches is to fill that gap". Mike Tafoya is a proven leader in the community and successful entrepreneur, who looks forward to helping the small to medium sized business owner succeed. For 25 years Mike has set the standard for excellence and achievement as a leading salesman, a proven manager, and a successful business owner and leader.

After spending many years in upper management, Mike acquired a small almost defunct glass contracting business in Santa Ana, California. During the next eleven years, through strategic planning and tactical execution, Mike took a failing, insignificant company and turned it into the one of the leading Southern California glass contracting firms. During his post at the helm Mike's efforts as a leader led the company to increase revenues over ten times its original sales and generated profit margins unheard of before in the industry. Mike's commitment to strategic planning, leadership initiatives, innovation, systematic processes, and information technology were keys to his success.

Mike's passion for business is exceeded only by his passion for people. Mike's personal vision is "Building Lives…Building a Future…" and Mike is dedicated to living his life by his vision. Mike is committed to helping people to be all they can be in life and in business.

Mike currently calls Castle Rock his home with his wife Sharon where he enjoys playing golf, riding his horse and taking care of their five acre spread. Mike and Sharon love to visit their two grown sons who live in California. Mike's goal for the Denver business community is to establish himself as a friend, a leader, and to be a respected business mentor paving a road of success for all business owners, and community leaders.