Alberto Delgado
The Purpose of The Pivot
Alberto Delgado, a prominent entrepreneur from Lubbock, TX, has been making waves in his community by owning and operating three successful businesses. However, his journey toward success was anything but easy. Delgado's story is one of resilience and determination, from dodging tough decisions to ultimately finding his calling in entrepreneurship.
Growing up in Lubbock, Berto, as he is commonly referred to, faced a few challenges that would require him early on to make some life-changing choices.
Partying as teenagers do with little responsibility and being introduced to gangs and the fast street life, Berto wanted to do something different. He and a friend danced with the idea of joining the army. But just as quickly as the thought entered his mind, it left. Berto backed not fully understanding what came along with enlisting but his friend continued that journey.
At the age of 17, Berto had to make some tough decisions that he knew would dictate the remainder of his life. He didn't want to follow the path that was immediately in front of him so he dug into the entrepreneurial spirit that had been around since he was a kid. He pulled from the inspiration of when he would draw Pokemon pictures and sell them to his classmates or cut the neighbor's grass for a few bucks and chose the path of entrepreneurship.
Still unsure of how to navigate this new world and just trying out the spaces that felt most natural to him, a light bulb turned on for Berto at 19 when he dropped out of Tarrant County College to pursue barber school. He had been cutting hair since the age of 14 and when a friend who was already attending barber school told him he should try it out, he recognized the opportunity and went for it.
After graduating from barber school, still working a full-time job at a call center, and cutting hair on the side, Berto realized it was time to go all in when he made in one Saturday the same amount of money it would normally take him to make at his job in a week. He quit the call center and began pursuing his passion with full force.
His work ethic and ambition soon led him to start his own businesses; a barbershop that has now transitioned into a beauty salon, the 24/7 art lounge - now the West Texas Barber Academy, and a T-Shirt print shop, 24/7 Apparel company.
Berto has had to pivot his businesses a few times to keep up with the changing market demands and the nature of the uncontrollable. Post-Covid made it difficult for the art lounge to maintain because people still weren’t sure about being outside. But, this blessing in disguise pushed him to begin the process of opening the Barber Academy which had been a long-time dream of his.
Berto attributed being able to transition on demand to his perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit. Being a boxer all of his life has helped him to fight through the difficulties when his back was up against the wall. Navigating the inconsistent climate of business comes from cultivating his entrepreneurial drive by reading books by Dave Ramsey and other industry leaders. He has said that believing in himself and his ability to overcome adversity has allowed him to search for solutions instead of simply wading into the problem.
Berto’s decision to change the Barbershop into a salon came during a time when he couldn’t seem to keep the barbershop staffed - one of the motivators for opening up the academy. He was in a 5-year lease and after 6 months of barbers being in and out, he received word that he won a beauty grant he had applied for prior to opening up the shop.
After attending a seminar for the grant winners where the influence of pivot was drilled into his head, Berto took the grant money and revamped the barbershop into the Salon that stands today and was fully staffed within 30 days.
Alberto Delgado's story is an inspiration to many.
He has overcome adversity, followed his dreams, and achieved success through hard work and dedication. His impact on the community is immeasurable, and he continues to strive for greatness every day. His journey is a testament to the power of ambition and the resilience of the human spirit.
Berto plans to set himself and his family up for financial success with the continuation of his businesses, setting the foundation to become a motivational speaker, and diving more into passive streams of income. In the words of Berto, “the decisions you make today have the potential to affect you for the rest of your life; so decided now!”
Follow Berto's journey and follow him by clicking the links below!
LocTrap
"We Trap Different"
QB’s journey started early on in high school...
when she enrolled in a cosmetology course and received her license. After completing a 3D model of a salon as part of a project, she knew it was her destiny to be an owner. Growing up in Lubbock, TX, Quanosha noted how easy it was to get discouraged being surrounded by not-so-positive influences and would soon run into her biggest hurdle to date, making the dream of being a loctician and salon owner seem further away than she imagined.
Coming from a family of workers, entrepreneurship wasn’t something that came easy for QB. It was the struggle of finding her way after being incarcerated and the desire to create a more positive name for herself that pushed her into creating her own narrative.
QB's journey to becoming a loctician and salon owner was not an easy one. After being released from prison, she feared not being able to get a job but landed a chair at the notorious Regis salon and later was offered the opportunity of booth rental by Antwan Overstreet, owner of Main Street Barbershop, which provided QB the experience of ownership.
Because QB didn’t have sufficient clientele, she had to work an overnight job to stay above water and ensure her booth rent was paid. After being consistently present in the barbershop and twisting her own locs visible to clients, patrons noticed her more and began asking about her services. QB began to build her clientele as well as adapt the skills she would later utilize as a salon owner, by opening and closing the barbershop and being more hands-on.
QB began investing her money into buying items for a shop that had yet to exist but, she was determined and committed to her vision, so her hard work began to pay off. Mainstreet Barbershop decided to change locations and QB ended up at another salon that didn’t embody the vibe she was looking for so she decided it was time to venture out on her own.
"Anything is possible if you're willing to work for it and never give up!"
Follow QB's journey and book with her today by clicking the links below!
During the pandemic, QB came across a space that was in a prime location and although she was worried her background would create a barrier for her, she took a chance and inquired about the space. Within fifteen minutes of filling out the application, the owner called her back to let her know the space, which is now LocTrap, was hers with no deposit!
QB's commitment to her craft and her vision helped her establish a loyal following in Lubbock. She began to receive referrals from satisfied customers, which helped her build a solid reputation in the community. As LocTrap continued to grow, she faced new challenges, including the need for additional staff and resources. However, she remained focused on her goals and worked tirelessly to expand her business. A few stylists would come and go but she eventually established a team… a family, that attributed to the growth of her brand.
QB's diligence and determination paid off,
... and she now runs a successful salon/barbershop that serves a diverse clientele in Lubbock, TX
QB's story is a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and hard work. Despite facing significant obstacles, QB refused to let her circumstances define her or limit her potential. Instead, she remained faithful to her vision and diligently pursued her dream of becoming a loctician and salon owner.
QB has plans to open up a beauty school in Lubbock and another LocTrap in San Marcos and New Mexico.
Through her hard work and dedication, QB has proven that anything is possible if you are willing to work for it… and NEVER GIVE UP!
Perla Sosa & P. Chilton Events
How Balloons Tied it All Together!
Perla Sosa was raised in North Lubbock and the infamous "Tech Ghetto" near Texas Tech University which, for natives, is now known as the "Heart of Lubbock." Perla could remember sitting on the porch and watching the TTU students and alumni attending games never imagining that would someday be her. As her greatest inspiration, she credits her mom, a single mother of four, with being able to complete not only her Bachelor's but her upcoming Masters in May 2023. Perla said the biggest takeaway from her childhood was her mother instilling in her the importance of not depending on anyone but herself to go out and get what she wanted.
Perla's focus and drive to take control of her life led her to be the entrepreneur she is today. But, it didn't come with planning as this road wasn't her initial goal. As an adamant "do it herself-er" Perla was determined to figure out decorations for her son's graduation party at the last moment without seeking out assistance or taking more time to find an event planner. She never expected that her willingness to just get things done would lead her into a business venture not so full of hot air!
P. Chilton Events rest among the 4.4 million other businesses that started during the Pandemic in 2020. As an unlikely idea seeing that most people weren't getting out after being forced in, Perla simply wanted an opportunity to explore her creativity. After posting on social media the balloon arch she made for her son and a boxwood hedge she invested in to explore how to make things pretty, people started reaching out inquiring about her props and skills. What started out as a hobby very quickly became another source of income for Perla and her family.
After reaching out to local Balloonpreneur Lori Rios and getting the inside scoop on the industry, Perla decided to start researching the field a little more. It was during this deep dive that she soon learned she was allergic to certain types of balloons. This didn't discourage Perla though, she made the necessary pivots and found products that she could work with and was still of great quality.
The unearthing of her newfound allergy wasn't the only hurdle in becoming a small business owner. She learned that business cash flow and personal cash flow held two completely different sets of responsibilities. Not knowing how much money was needed to not just start but maintain the business created a few bumps in the road for P. Chilton Events as did prioritizing finances.
Follow Perla's journey or visit her site by clicking the links below.
To offset these challenges, Perla adopted an understanding of the importance of pricing her services. "Your price is your price" quickly became her motto! Learning not to negotiate on standard prices allowed Perla to appeal more to her target audience and weed out those just looking for a deal. When asked what advice Perla had for young entrepreneurs looking to turn their dreams into sustainable businesses she left us with; don't give discounts, find a mentor, save as much money as you can, & protect your brand! She says that competition can sometimes appear dramatic but as long as you keep your morals and values intact, and know when to say no, you'll be off to a great start.
As an avid community supporter, Perla has also taken the opportunity to give back by using the resources of P. Chilton Events. She has created and donated a rose wall and balloon backdrop for young girls during the Dream Centers Prom Event provided decorations for the YWCA Father/Daughter dance and helped set up events for local sports centers.
Perla's relentlessness to find a problem to any solution landed her in the entrepreneurial lane. She didn't come in blind though; she utilized her past career experiences in order to leverage her small business into what she hopes becomes a household brand. For Perla, the balloons were the "marrying of all the things."
When asked where she sees P. Chilton Events in the next 5 years, Perla stated, as a thriving family business that continues to make things pretty, provides support for her community, and lay the foundation for her family to achieve generational wealth.
Perla Sosa is an inspirational example for aspiring entrepreneurs. Her story highlights the importance of dedication, hard work, and commitment to achieving success. The lessons that can be learned from her success can be applied by other aspiring entrepreneurs, such as leveraging experience and networks to build their own businesses, forming partnerships, and paying attention to what makes them feel good. By taking the steps outlined by Perla, entrepreneurs can emulate her success and achieve their own goals.
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