Auto Cruz, LLC
“Working with the Programa Hispano’s team and attending their workshops changed my life. I am not only doing this for the money, I am passionate and my goal is to help my customers and offer the best service”
-Enrique Cruz, owner
Challenge
Being in the car sales industry for fifteen years, Enrique Romero Cruz had the dream of someday owning his own car sales lot and becoming independent. He had the sales experience but lacked confidence, the knowledge of business structuring, planning, and licensing; therefore, he sought the assistance of the CA Hispanic SBDC. Enrique enrolled in the business development cohort where he learned the basics and essentials of starting his business.
Desafios
Con quince años de experiencia en la industria de venta de autos, Enrique Romero Cruz tenía el sueño de algún día tener su propio lote e independizarse. Tenía la experiencia en ventas pero le faltaba confianza, el conocimiento de la estructuración, planificación y concesión de licencias y permisos comerciales; por lo tanto, buscó la ayuda del Centro Hispano SBDC. Enrique se inscribió en una serie de talleres de desarrollo empresarial donde aprendió los conceptos básicos y esenciales para iniciar su negocio.
Strategies
During the 10-week cohort, Enrique took all the tools form the workshops and felt confident he would open his own business. After graduating from cohort, Enrique was referred to Sandra Beaton (CA Hispanic SBDC consultant) to assist him with the implementation of his business plan, acquiring the proper business licenses and permits and seeking funding for his business.
Estrategias
Durante la serie de talleres de 10 semanas, Enrique tomó todas las herramientas aprendidas y se sintió seguro de que abriría su propia empresa. Después de graduarse de estos talleres empresariales, Enrique fue referido con Sandra Beaton (consultora del Programa Hispano SBDC) para que lo ayudara con la implementación de su plan de negocios, adquirir las licencias y permisos comerciales adecuados y buscar financiamiento para su negocio.
Results
With Sandra’s assistance and many hours of hard work, Enrique was able to obtain all the required business licenses, insurance and permits which resulted in Enrique opening his own auto sales company (Auto Cruz LLC). In addition to opening his own auto sales company, Enrique was able to secure a line of credit of $100,000 in addition to his own capital infusion of $70,000.
Resultados
Con la ayuda de Sandra y muchas horas de arduo trabajo, Enrique pudo obtener todas las licencias comerciales, seguros y permisos necesarios, lo que resultó en que Enrique abriera su propia empresa de venta de autos (Auto Cruz LLC) al final del año pasado. Además, Enrique pudo asegurar una línea de crédito de $100,000 y su propia inyección de capital de $70,000.
“I am grateful with the CA Hispanic SBDC team for giving me the tools and resources to become successful without expecting something back. I am grateful and now it is my turn to pay it forward in my community in any way I can” -Enrique Cruz
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