Success Stories

Ted Terrazas
TerraHealth, Inc., San Antonio, TX

The Evolution of One of Our Own

Evolve – 1. to change to meet the needs of the changing environment; 2. to undergo gradual change, develop.

The word "evolve" is one that is very familiar to ACCION Texas. Everyday, ACCION’s mission is one which helps its clients evolve into who and what they want to be by providing them with funding when other institutions can’t.

Anthony "Ted" Terrazas also knows very well what it is to evolve. First as a Medical Services Officer in the United States Air Force, Mr. Terrazas learned how the military provided medical services to its members and dependents in the most efficient and effective way possible. In doing this, he adjusted to changes in assignments, administrations, and procurement procedures to meet the demand for services. After retiring from the Air Force, Mr. Terrazas saw the evolution or changes the medical services field faced due to budget cuts. The ability to recognize these challenges, coupled with his determination, led Terrazas to the decision to start his company TerraHealth, Inc. However, Terrazas required financing to get his company on the road to success.

In 2001, with assistance of a $10,000 loan from ACCION, TerraHealth was formed to provide medical staffing, consulting, and IT support to customers. Completing a first contract - with the San Antonio Housing Authority - in half the allotted time, Mr. Terrazas rapidly established the reputation of his company. He focused on developing the company’s “engine” - its management team - and has skillfully capitalized on his knowledge of Department of Defense procurement systems gained through his military career experience.

Through the years, TerraHealth has grown and evolved adding components to its business to provide the services needed by customers. So much so that in 2006, the company reported sales of more than $15 million - a growth rate of more than 8,000 percent! This achievement also gained TerraHealth the #1 position in Hispanic Business magazine’s 2006 listing of the country’s "100 Fastest-Growing Companies" led by Hispanic entrepreneurs. Later in 2006, Mr. Terrazas announced TerraHealth’s participation as one of five teams in a $1.9 billion, ten-year contract to provide medical staffing to the Air Force.

So, where does the future professional evolution of Ted Terrazas take him? To ACCION Texas of course! In 2006, Ted Terrazas joined the ACCION Texas Board of Directors where both ACCION Texas and he will continue to evolve and help small business owners develop and achieve their business dreams.

Catherine Duross
The Motorcycle School, San Antonio

ACCION Texas client since 2006

There's a poster hanging on Cathy Duross' wall that says, "There are no shortcuts to any place worth going." The road to success was indeed long and rocky for her, as she struggled many years looking for a bank that would finance her dream to open a motorcycling school. She came to ACCION Texas in 2006, and a year later The Motorcycle School is not only in business, but also growing every day.

But business wasn't always booming for Cathy. "When I came to ACCION, I had enough to pay the rent and open the doors but I didn't have any money to buy anything else." she remembers. With the money she received from her ACCION Texas loan, she was able to double the number of motorcycles in her inventory. "That made my business grow a whole lot faster," she says. She credits The Motorcycle School's success and popularity to ACCION Texas, as well as the 20,000 business cards she handed out in the last year and referrals from motorcycle dealers and her former students.

Today, the positive word of mouth keeps the phone and the course schedule at The Motorcycle School busy – a dream that only came true after Cathy received an initial helping hand from ACCION Texas. "I'm glad ACCION Texas opened the door to me because now I've tripled my business in sixteen months," she says. And she's revved up about the future. "I get paid to teach people to ride motorcycles. How cool is that?" she laughs. "Kids tell me I have a cool job, and I always just tell them I had to go through many hoops before I got it. It takes a lot of courage and hard work to open up a new business."

Dottie Rios
DMR Medical Billing, San Antonio

ACCION Texas client since 2002

Dottie Rios started her career as a unit secretary for a hospital, with the expectation that she would one day be a nurse. However, over the years, she found herself drawn away from the nursing station and towards the billing department. With no formal training, only hands-on experience and the will to succeed, Dottie soon reached senior billing specialist positions. Her experience, coupled with her talent, resulted in the decision to open her own billing business.

Dottie started her business from home, working part-time managing the billing for two doctors. She was also managing a second full-time job, a husband, and three children. Dottie had her hands full, but she was determined to show everyone, especially her new clients, that she was the best person to handle their billing. With the first loan from ACCION Texas, Dottie bought badly needed software and computers, and DMR Medical Billing was born. Today, her first clients are still with her, loyal and more-than impressed with Dottie's ability to maneuver the game of claims. What makes DMR Medical Billing unique, says Dottie, is "our personal relationship with our clients. They know I work hard... allowing no room for errors."

Like every successful entrepreneur, Dottie is confidant in her ability to succeed and make a difference. "I'm a leader," she says, "always trying to make things better." After five years of intense labor and dedication, Dottie Rios has been recognized with the Rising Star Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit from the San Antonio Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. Today, she is a constant advocate for ACCION Texas, saying, "They were there when I needed them, when everyone else shut me out." She also credits ACCION Texas for giving her the financial and business training to succeed.

For future small business owners, Dottie shared her words of wisdom: "Find out who can help you, enter into a trade you are well-trained in, and keep going. Don't let anything stop you."

Alejandro Perez
San Antonio Cab, San Antonio

ACCION Texas client since 1999

Alejandro Perez and six of his cab driver friends started San Antonio Cab, a co-op, in 1999 by securing a $500 loan from ACCION Texas. San Antonio Cab is now a successful, well-established business and the original seven founders are still working together.

Alejandro is one of the many ACCION Texas clients who loves what he does. "I like my freedom. I am everywhere. Today I had breakfast in Kerrville, last week in San Marcos. I am like the wind," he says. "San Antonio has so much to offer, I get to share this with people from all over the world. I am so fortunate." Mr. Perez points to his cab. "I put 180,000 miles on that cab in 3 years," he said. The shiny, champaign-colored van is spotless.

Alejandro is a robust, sincere man and speaks earnestly of his work. Born in Los Angeles, he moved to San Antonio in 1991 and started driving a cab. In 1999, he decided to start his own business. He secured a loan from ACCION Texas and invested the $500 required to compete for the permits to be an independent driver. Alejandro has worked hard to make the business a success. "San Antonio Cab is very dependable, very punctual. We don’t let people down," says Alejandro.

"ACCION Texas has been a big part of my business," says Mr. Perez. "They got me on my feet and helped get me through the rough times." Recently, Mr. Perez secured another loan from ACCION Texas. He is already planning his next expansion -- another cab.