WEBVTT
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The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has created opportunities for entrepreneurs, contractors, young professionals, and many business leaders across Fort Worth.
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I'm Evelyn Valez, your host, and today I'm with real people who will be sharing their stories firsthand.
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We have Jessica Millo, one of the co-founders of Civica.
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We're a Fort Worth-based commercial general contractor here.
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My name is Linda Lopez, CEO of TND Geomatics, professional land surveying firm right here in Fort Worth.
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I'm Joe Cortez, president of TND Geomatics, and we're here in Fort Worth looking to serve the community.
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Awesome.
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So for listeners who don't know, what is TND Geomatics?
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Well, TND Geomatics is, like I said, a professional land surveying firm.
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And before any project starts, it has to start with a survey.
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TND actually stands for True North Data.
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I actually had this company many years before, and we were actually got to the point where we wanted to take it a little further, and then we opened up TND Geomatics, and it's been uh a journey that uh been really great.
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Awesome.
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And I want to piggyback off that.
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How did TND Geomatics get us started?
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Yeah.
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Well, um during COVID, Joe and I were working, both working from home.
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And um before Joe worked all over the country doing all kinds of different uh land surveying projects for different companies.
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And uh I worked at TCU for many years in development.
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And you know, during COVID, not much going on in development.
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Um so Joe said, why don't we start a land surveying firm?
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I'm tired of traveling, so we did, and we here we are five years later.
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That's exciting.
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And Jesse, tell me a little bit about your like start with your company.
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So uh it was uh really a truck uh ride to a project we had at uh you know previous uh life previous uh job.
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Uh me and my partner you know really clicked.
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We had a same vision, we had the same uh goals, so you know, we united forces and took the leap of faith and now we're getting it.
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Yeah, sweet.
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Linda, let me ask you this, because you know, being a woman in this male-dominated space, how have you been able to navigate that, you know, and has partnering with the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, you know, facilitated any of that?
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Or you know, tell us about that connection.
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Yes, when we when when we first started, I had always been involved with the with the chamber, with TCO and the chamber.
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Um, but starting your own business, it's like a completely different thing, and especially like a male-dominated um service.
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So yeah, it was difficult at first, but once you get comfortable with the space, and I was on the fast track to land surveying.
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And uh and now I can walk in anywhere and thanks to the chamber that I had the opportunities to network and learn how to network with all the different classes they provide and and all of that.
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Yeah, um all of that kind of of support.
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Absolutely.
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She also went out in the field, so I took her out to to learn surveying firsthand, and she was out there with her hard hat and learned how to use the equipment and uh get the fundamentals of surveying down.
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That's it.
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So when she goes into these spaces, she has some experience, some understanding of the uh survey field, and and it it's they've been very receptive to her as well.
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You know, so that's a good thing, you know, everywhere she goes.
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And then, of course, finding organizations that are women-based uh in construction and real estate, and these spaces also help her to land uh new context and build relationships.
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That's a lot.
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That's what it's about connections, context.
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I did a little bit of ceremony back in the day, so profit to you for going out there.
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It's a lot of a lot of hard work.
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It's a lot.
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Yeah, I've been in the bushes and um I'm like, what are we doing out here again?
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Um we actually did a project for Doc Presscott out in um in East Texas, and it was very heavily wooded for me.
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So uh yeah, very interesting.
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Also, that being said, what makes uh you know a great survey crew member, you know, isn't it?
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Well, to know the first of all, have somebody with experience, right, and know the equipment.
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Um we use uh Trimble, a lot of Trimble equipment and a lot of state-of-the-art equipment.
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And so uh the formats that we use, everybody that we have does their part and produces uh accuracy and great product uh that our clients uh can use to design and build.
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Nice.
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Yeah.
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Let's see, what else?
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Anything else you want to share on the survey side?
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Because I imagine, like you know, you mentioned, you know, everything starts with it, so you know the survey can really impact construction.
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Absolutely.
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You have to have great control, uh, right, solid control and um boundary analysis and and make sure that uh the topographic survey is right so that the engineers can then design and come up with their grading and drainage plans.
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And then from there uh we can also do the construction staking and do the as built.
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So from you know, from the inception, right, the pre-development, doing the survey to construction staking to as built once it's complete.
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Right.
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So we are in all parts of the uh construction phase of it.
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And construction really can't happen without them.
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These guys are like appointing after they go, um, you know, the the land gets developed, then we come in and we can build up.
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Gotcha.
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So you guys work, you know, we have hand and hand.
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Yeah, we work hand in hand.
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We're trying to work together, but the opportunity hasn't come up.
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So it's the chamber.
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Exactly.
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Yes.
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Yes, we met Jesse uh a while back, and uh you know, we team up every once in a while just to talk about different projects and and that sort of thing.
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But um but uh like I said, the uh I have we have made so many contacts through the chamber.
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It's been amazing for us, for our business.
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For sure.
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And Jesse, what about you?
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Like what's your experience, you know, with the chamber and your business?
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You know, tell us a little bit about you know what goes on in your life.
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So the chambers actually helped me out quite a bit.
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I want to say I've been active for since August probably when I left uh my W-2 job.
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Um they actually helped me put an event together, what was it like two or three weeks ago?
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Yeah.
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We had over 100 people uh show up.
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I actually just posted a video uh to recap the video.
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That's amazing.
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Yeah, first event.
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Yeah.
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Things to to that.
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Yeah, yeah.
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And so we also did our ribbon cutting and we had, gosh, I don't even know how many people we had, but over 200 people with band and food, and uh it turned out it turned out great.
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So I mean that's just that's just what you get out of the chamber because um you want your company to be noticed.
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For sure.
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And and it does.
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I mean, in if you're if you go out, if you network, if you do um that's what that I mean, that's what you have to do in order to get going for sure.
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Yep.
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No, I agree with that.
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Any business, you know, whether you have experience or not, you can't do anything alone, you know, definitely not.
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So any advice you would give to any other, you know, entrepreneurs or someone who's trying to build from the ground up, you know, because we've all been there.
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So what was the hardest things?
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Like what were the biggest challenges for you guys, you know, starting up a lot of people?
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So you can get the financing that you need, uh, you know, setting up um the LLCs and getting all the uh you know the documents right and uh finding the right bank, partnering with the right bank because they're gonna be a big part of the business growth.
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Uh and at the same time uh going out and and uh meeting other people that are in the industry.
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And if you know what you want to do, right, uh then don't be afraid to make mistakes.
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Uh and get with the chamber, because the chamber will give you uh good direction uh to pursue uh your goals and your business, whatever that may be.
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And uh I I recommend uh anybody in construction to look up Jessie because this young man is very ambitious and he can get the work done.
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So look him up for sure at Civica.
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For me, um I'm a big believer that your network is your net worth.
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Um we really like to I guess to kind of found and kind of think back, the reason that we're here is because of all the people that I've met along the journey uh here at the Ford Chamber, at those organizations that me and Linda are actually a part of.
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That has been an amazing, amazing journey, amazing opportunities uh everywhere.
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And I can give you an example.
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Yeah.
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So last year at Build Fort Worth, I met, you know, I went around, networked, talked to everybody at the different booths and everything.
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Uh I stopped by Race Construction, and I met I met a young lady named Claudia, and uh we exchanged cards, we chatted for a while.
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Um and so I got back to my office and I emailed her and and we communicated.
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But after that, I didn't hear anything for about nine months.
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And then she called and she's like, hey, we need survey.
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We're on a dark project and we need you guys.
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So so it was a I mean, we went out there, we helped them out, uh, and then they said, you know what, we have a project, a small project at DFW Airport.
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So we were doing a project for them at DFW Airport.
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They connected us to a big company in Chicago.
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So now we're getting a contract with them, and it's like a five over 500-acre project.
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That's at DFW Airport.
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Congratulations.
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Yes, one of applause.
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I love that.
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So the growth is there, right?
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You know, and when you're when you're starting up your business, you you know, you're gonna have to wear all the hats.
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You're gonna have to um stay focused.
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And it's easy to get discouraged.
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And uh we come up with this word we call ants.
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Automatic negative thoughts that come into your mind and they can really bring you down.
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Just ignore those and just keep going forward.
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Surround yourself with a team who's gonna build you up, right, who's gonna encourage you, because the challenges are there, the mistakes are gonna happen, the growing pains are gonna be there.
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But at the end of the day, you're gonna be grateful for where you're at and where you're going because you're gonna see the growth, and nobody else can can do that but you, whoever is actually taking the risk, right?
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Business leaders are risk takers, uh, but a good plan, a good uh business plan, and follow through and learn from it, and just keep growing, and you'll see the opportunities open up.
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Yeah, yeah, that's right.
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Do you want to add anything, Jesse?
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Um for what again?
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Anything, anything.
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I know we're talking about you know, opportunities.
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You also, I heard, just landed a huge opportunity as well.
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Yes, we could talk about that one.
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I also have a couple others, just like uh Linda.
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We met at a networking event, let's say at the end of last year, and three weeks ago I got a phone call and then a follow-up email saying if I wanted to be a part of a project.
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So we bid a project and we actually find out if we won the project or not tomorrow.
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Oh wow.
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So it's just a lot of uh you know, waiting and having courage, having you know, uh animal.
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How do you say animal?
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Uh animal.
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Like um the will.
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The will to keep going and to not give up.
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That's right.
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Yeah, for sure.
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Right.
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Uh I mean, and a lot of businesses fail because they give up too soon.
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Because it's hard.
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Okay.
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I mean, there's been a lot of times when we're like, oh my gosh, how we're gonna make payroll out or you know, but but if if you keep pushing through, I mean it will happen.
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And and you just keep moving forward, keep encouraging um each other, and and I mean, that's all you can do.
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Right.
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And then once you're so far away, then you can't turn back because you gotta now we have employees that depend on us.
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So feed.
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Yes, exactly.
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We have a lot of families that are depending on us.
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So yeah, you just have to keep moving forward.
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Persistency is what it sounds like.
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Jesse, you're in a leadership program.
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Tell me about that.
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What does that look like?
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So, okay, yeah.
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So the reason I joined that leadership program is um I noticed that uh a lot of companies they they struggle if their their leaders aren't getting their herd right.
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So I was like, I need to start working on the fundamentals of my business to make sure that uh grow growing and going forward, um, everything is aligned, everything is where I want it to be.
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So before the Hispanic Chamber put on an event, I put on a program where we're getting microcredentials from both Texas Tech and Hard mentorship program.
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So that's an amazing, amazing opportunity.
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I'm so grateful to be a part of.
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Yeah, that's exciting.
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And uh our business was just a couple of days ago, we were accepted into the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
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Um Avanzar and Blue Wave.
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So Yeah, we were so excited to get awarded that because there was uh thousands of people that applied for that in teaching.
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Yeah, yes.
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You know, and I think that just kind of you know adds to the importance of just staying relevant, you know, staying involved, you know, connected for sure.
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I'm gonna hang out around you more.
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You know, in land surveying, there's a shortage of land surveyors.
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There's only 2,500 registered surveyors in Texas, 60,000 civil engineers in Texas.
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And so there's a lot of them retiring surveyors retiring.
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And so if anybody is young people are interested in a career, land surveying is an excellent career.
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Uh, and it's a it's a growing, there's a growing need.
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Uh right now we had um last year we had an intern.
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He's going for engineering uh mechanical, I believe, or something, but he asked if he can come be an intern again this year.
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I said, sure.
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I said, but what have you done?
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He said, I took a couple of survey classes.
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So so you know, he's a true thing.
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So we have two interns coming in, and I believe that um there's a lot of room, a lot of growth, uh opportunity for surveyors, right, to come in.
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And it's a small group of uh organization.
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A lot of people don't know about it.
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Uh I do know that the Latino community, when we go and do surveys, uh the non-English speaking Latinos, they appreciate that our guys are bilingual.
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And so we need a lot more bilingual surveyors out in the field in construction staking, uh in every aspect of surveying, right?
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And so I know that um I just spoke with someone from Lulac, and he said that they need more uh Latino speaking uh surveyors because where they have the work, the owners, the property owners, they speak Spanish.
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So uh I said, Well, call us up.
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We're ready, right?
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And so there's opportunity there for Latinos to actually grow in land surveying and make a a strong impact locally and statewide.
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For sure.
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Absolutely.
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Talk about the median age.
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I know the median age of surveyors is like, yes, the median age right now is over fifty.
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Right.
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And half of those are over sixty-five.
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So just last year I know at least half a dozen surveyors retired or closed their doors, right?
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So I knew that there was a a need, and so that was another reason for us to open up our company, and it's at the perfect time uh because right now is a time where uh we can grow this into something great, uh building a legacy.
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Uh my brothers are in it.
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Um I have uh nephews working with us, I have a grandson working with us, and so there is a lot of uh opportunity there.
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And if you just want to learn either in the field, working in the field with equipment or working in the office with civil 3D RCAS to make the map.
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So there's there's lots of areas.
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The technology is changing, there's a lot more uh 3D scanning, uh handheld um drones with LIDAR.
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Uh so we've got all this new technology and we've got to keep up with it, and we're also uh letting the Latino community know that we can uh give them these services that they don't know exist.
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And can help them with their projects move forward, right?
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With accurate accurate data questions.
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Yeah.
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How much has uh AI affected you guys?
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AI has helped us with um there's a thing, there's a what's it called?
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It's called um AI deed or something like that.
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What it does, it plots the deeds out for us and then makes us a map and it gives us everything that we need to know for that property so we can go out and search.
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Because the corners on the deeds they call either iron rod or a wheel spindle or a tree, whatever it is.
00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:17.599
So we have a a mosaic deed plot, and that can help the field crews.
00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:31.519
Instead of us spending multiple hours reading, a lot of these uh deeds, these old deeds, are written in hand and cursive, and so it can be a little challenging with some of the younger, younger uh guys, but with this deep plotter, it plots it out.
00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:35.359
We also trained AI to check our work, right?
00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:46.160
So we'll put in it already knows it's got a checklist, already knows what it what what to look for, we'll put in our complete uh our deliverable to give it one more go-through, and then we'll we'll make those edits there.
00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:51.839
And also AI is also uh integrated in Sybil 3D with a 2026 model.
00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:58.240
Uh and it also AI is also being included in what's called L O Q Look.
00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:06.079
It's a handheld uh LIDAR that's AI generated that you can also directly uh send it to your PC and start working with it.
00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:09.039
And it it can also help with estimating too.
00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:14.960
Not completely, but at least, you know, it kind of gives you an idea of where of where you need to be.
00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:20.079
Yeah, you know, so so that's so yeah, it's and there's a lot of companies that don't use it, right?
00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:23.759
And so again, we're a younger company and we want to keep up with the technology.
00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:25.359
So that thank you for that question, Jesse.
00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:25.839
Absolutely.
00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:29.599
AI has been a great impact, a positive impact for our company.
00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.799
That's fascinating.
00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:37.279
And I mean it helps not only, you know, the people doing the work, but probably the people expecting the work.
00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.880
It just helps things, you know, flow around.
00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:52.319
And and uh TNT Geomatics, I mean, we we love serving the community, so we've also taken an initiative to uh to go out and teach young students about land surveying.
00:18:52.400 --> 00:19:01.440
And it's they're they're so excited and interested in it because it is uh it's it's it's a a dying industry that people don't really know about.
00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:03.039
They're like, What what is it again?
00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:06.799
And no project can move forward without land survey.
00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:15.359
So it's affecting every aspect of the construction industry with superintendents, uh, you know, with uh people with trades.
00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:18.400
Uh so it's affecting so many industries.
00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:26.160
Uh but I do know because we have a passion for survey, that it is really affecting us and we want to see how we can give back.
00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:29.440
And again, we're we're getting these younger guys uh they're in school.
00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:47.200
Like if there's there's kids that are going to school for engineering, civil engineering, and and they graduate with their bachelor's instead of going for their master's, take some survey courses and then go get your license, and now you got a engineering surveying double uh license and you become that much more of an asset.
00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.000
Right?
00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:51.599
So much more of an asset for forever you're whatever company you go work for.
00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:52.480
I love this.
00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:56.000
I love this because I mean you don't you only know what you know.
00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:59.359
You know, so being, you know, you said to yourself, like, I need to hang out with them more often.
00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:01.359
I mean, I think it it's it's just so cool.
00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:17.519
And I that's what you know, the events that the chamber put together, you know, bring to the table, you know, like we're able to have these conversations, we're able to, you know, see what opportunities are out there because we all know someone who, I don't know, can be a good fit or you know, is interested or whatever the case.
00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:27.440
I mean, and and that's one of the things that the chamber has is uh I mean they have so many opportunities for different classes that you can take, different training.
00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:38.319
And that's I mean, I we have taken all different kinds, whether it's like finance or how to get the financing or um how to get your certifications, that kind of thing.
00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:41.599
I mean, we all need that because we don't know.
00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:47.680
So yeah, it's been uh the the chamber has been really great to us right in in that aspect, yes.
00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:58.240
What about for someone, and I'll ask you since you're you know newer to the chamber, someone who's newer or who's intimidated by networking events, you know, because we mentioned how that's so important.
00:20:58.559 --> 00:21:10.480
What do you think is something that has helped you, or what would you, you know, share with people that are thinking of attending events but feel like maybe they don't get nothing out of it or they're too shy or whatever the case, you know?
00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:14.720
Okay, so honestly for me, uh going to the event.
00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:18.880
Well, the first I guess not working on that, but I went to your information with the chamber.
00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:21.759
And they're the people that wrote the ice for me.
00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:27.839
So because I knew a person at the chamber, that person would uh you know saw me and that they just started taking me everywhere.
00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:29.440
So for me, that was just a big ice break.
00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:30.720
Yeah.
00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:36.160
So honestly, like thanks to them, I you know, I broke myself a person, so everyone dropped the charge.
00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:44.240
Another thing that the chamber has implemented too is if you go to one of the networking events, it you get a different color bad uh you know badge.
00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:50.160
So then people know that you're new, so they will go up to and talk to you and break the ice that way.
00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:54.000
And I mean, when I first started networking, believe me, it was not easy.
00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:58.000
It was uh that I would force myself to go because I wanted to learn.
00:21:58.160 --> 00:22:04.000
Uh and now it's like oof, you go and you just you already you already know you have you have to drill down.
00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:07.440
Uh you go and and somebody will talk to you.
00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:09.920
Well at this point, I think you're a celebrity when you go somebody's networking.
00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:24.000
I don't know, from my experience, it's just show up with curiosity, you know, like everyone probably feels the same way as we do we did the first time we were there.
00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:37.279
So it's like, um, I don't know, for example, you guys, you know, Joe, you mentioned, you know, there's uh short of uh surveyors, a shortage of surveyors, or even like uh Spanish-speaking surveyors, you know, like that's a problem.
00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:39.680
You know the problem that the public might need.
00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:42.799
So it's just like you have information that you can share with people.
00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.279
Yes.
00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:45.200
So you know, prepping ahead.
00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:51.200
And the chamber, you know, is great, it's for connection, support, visibility, and community growth.
00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:56.240
And so, you know, we love that because and we're part of that, and we're glad to be a part of that.
00:22:56.400 --> 00:23:05.599
And I didn't realize how much the chamber really does care for the small businesses and builds us and gives us doors to go through, opens up.
00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:11.680
Yeah, opens up connections, uh, could gets us with connections that could take us to that next level, right?
00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:13.359
And will take you to the next level.
00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:15.839
And all you have to do is walk through it, right?
00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:16.400
Exactly.
00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:21.119
So everyone who wants to start their business, come on to the chamber.
00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:22.000
They'll help you out.
00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.680
Yeah, definitely.
00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:25.200
We love it.
00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:26.559
Well, I think that's it.
00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:28.079
Unless y'all want to share anything else.
00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:30.960
Nope, I think we get to go.
00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:33.519
Well, thank y'all for joining us in today's episode.
00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:35.759
Thank y'all for your time and sharing everything.
00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:39.200
Um, real quick, you mentioned build Fort Worth or build.
00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:40.000
That's coming up.
00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:40.720
When is that?
00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:41.440
August.
00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.480
First week of August?
00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:43.839
It's the first week of August.
00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:45.359
Both of y'all will be there.
00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:45.839
Yes.
00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:47.039
We will be gonna have to.
00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.319
August 6th.
00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.039
August 6th, yes.
00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:49.759
August 6th.
00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.160
Okay.
00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:52.480
Is it too late to register as a content guru?
00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:54.319
Do we want to share anything about that?
00:23:54.559 --> 00:24:01.920
Um, you can register, you can uh go as as just somebody that wants to go and talk to everybody, or you can get a booth.
00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.119
So, what is your website?
00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:06.480
Is it just Bill Fort Worth or who's just Bill Fort Worth?
00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.759
We'll have it in the link below.
00:24:07.920 --> 00:24:09.599
Oh, right.
00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.640
No, it sounds good.
00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.839
Great conversation.
00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:13.519
I learned a lot, and yeah.
00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:14.640
Thank you, Edelyn.
00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:15.920
Thank you all, of course.
00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:16.480
Yes.
00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:18.400
Thank you, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:19.759
We should do a little cheers at that.
00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:20.559
All right.
00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:21.279
Cheers!
00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:22.799
Fort Hispanic Chamber of Commons.
00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.039
Cheers.
00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:28.000
Cheers.
00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:27.920
The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has created opportunities for entrepreneurs, contractors, young professionals, and many business leaders across Fort Worth.
00:00:28.079 --> 00:00:34.159
I'm Evelyn Valez, your host, and today I'm with real people who will be sharing their stories firsthand.
00:00:34.479 --> 00:00:37.759
We have Jessica Millo, one of the co-founders of Civica.
00:00:37.920 --> 00:00:40.560
We're a Fort Worth-based commercial general contractor here.
00:00:41.439 --> 00:00:48.479
My name is Linda Lopez, CEO of TND Geomatics, professional land surveying firm right here in Fort Worth.
00:00:48.880 --> 00:00:54.240
I'm Joe Cortez, president of TND Geomatics, and we're here in Fort Worth looking to serve the community.
00:00:54.880 --> 00:00:55.280
Awesome.
00:00:55.439 --> 00:00:58.880
So for listeners who don't know, what is TND Geomatics?
00:00:59.439 --> 00:01:03.759
Well, TND Geomatics is, like I said, a professional land surveying firm.
00:01:03.920 --> 00:01:09.280
And before any project starts, it has to start with a survey.
00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:13.040
TND actually stands for True North Data.
00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:27.680
I actually had this company many years before, and we were actually got to the point where we wanted to take it a little further, and then we opened up TND Geomatics, and it's been uh a journey that uh been really great.
00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:28.480
Awesome.
00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:30.239
And I want to piggyback off that.
00:01:30.319 --> 00:01:33.120
How did TND Geomatics get us started?
00:01:33.280 --> 00:01:33.680
Yeah.
00:01:33.920 --> 00:01:38.640
Well, um during COVID, Joe and I were working, both working from home.
00:01:38.959 --> 00:01:48.239
And um before Joe worked all over the country doing all kinds of different uh land surveying projects for different companies.
00:01:48.560 --> 00:01:53.680
And uh I worked at TCU for many years in development.
00:01:54.000 --> 00:01:58.480
And you know, during COVID, not much going on in development.
00:01:58.719 --> 00:02:02.959
Um so Joe said, why don't we start a land surveying firm?
00:02:03.040 --> 00:02:07.760
I'm tired of traveling, so we did, and we here we are five years later.
00:02:07.920 --> 00:02:08.879
That's exciting.
00:02:09.039 --> 00:02:12.479
And Jesse, tell me a little bit about your like start with your company.
00:02:12.879 --> 00:02:20.719
So uh it was uh really a truck uh ride to a project we had at uh you know previous uh life previous uh job.
00:02:21.039 --> 00:02:24.159
Uh me and my partner you know really clicked.
00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:29.919
We had a same vision, we had the same uh goals, so you know, we united forces and took the leap of faith and now we're getting it.
00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:30.960
Yeah, sweet.
00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:46.719
Linda, let me ask you this, because you know, being a woman in this male-dominated space, how have you been able to navigate that, you know, and has partnering with the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, you know, facilitated any of that?
00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:48.319
Or you know, tell us about that connection.
00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:56.000
Yes, when we when when we first started, I had always been involved with the with the chamber, with TCO and the chamber.
00:02:56.159 --> 00:03:04.400
Um, but starting your own business, it's like a completely different thing, and especially like a male-dominated um service.
00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:16.080
So yeah, it was difficult at first, but once you get comfortable with the space, and I was on the fast track to land surveying.
00:03:16.560 --> 00:03:30.080
And uh and now I can walk in anywhere and thanks to the chamber that I had the opportunities to network and learn how to network with all the different classes they provide and and all of that.
00:03:30.159 --> 00:03:34.240
Yeah, um all of that kind of of support.
00:03:34.639 --> 00:03:35.199
Absolutely.
00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:48.639
She also went out in the field, so I took her out to to learn surveying firsthand, and she was out there with her hard hat and learned how to use the equipment and uh get the fundamentals of surveying down.
00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:49.199
That's it.
00:03:50.960 --> 00:04:00.879
So when she goes into these spaces, she has some experience, some understanding of the uh survey field, and and it it's they've been very receptive to her as well.
00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:03.599
You know, so that's a good thing, you know, everywhere she goes.
00:04:03.680 --> 00:04:15.680
And then, of course, finding organizations that are women-based uh in construction and real estate, and these spaces also help her to land uh new context and build relationships.
00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:16.319
That's a lot.
00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:18.240
That's what it's about connections, context.
00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:21.279
I did a little bit of ceremony back in the day, so profit to you for going out there.
00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:22.319
It's a lot of a lot of hard work.
00:04:22.720 --> 00:04:23.120
It's a lot.
00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:29.759
Yeah, I've been in the bushes and um I'm like, what are we doing out here again?
00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:40.240
Um we actually did a project for Doc Presscott out in um in East Texas, and it was very heavily wooded for me.
00:04:40.720 --> 00:04:42.959
So uh yeah, very interesting.
00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:48.639
Also, that being said, what makes uh you know a great survey crew member, you know, isn't it?
00:04:48.720 --> 00:04:53.439
Well, to know the first of all, have somebody with experience, right, and know the equipment.
00:04:53.600 --> 00:04:59.040
Um we use uh Trimble, a lot of Trimble equipment and a lot of state-of-the-art equipment.
00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:10.800
And so uh the formats that we use, everybody that we have does their part and produces uh accuracy and great product uh that our clients uh can use to design and build.
00:05:11.199 --> 00:05:11.519
Nice.
00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:12.079
Yeah.
00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:13.439
Let's see, what else?
00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:16.160
Anything else you want to share on the survey side?
00:05:16.399 --> 00:05:22.079
Because I imagine, like you know, you mentioned, you know, everything starts with it, so you know the survey can really impact construction.
00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:22.800
Absolutely.
00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:36.800
You have to have great control, uh, right, solid control and um boundary analysis and and make sure that uh the topographic survey is right so that the engineers can then design and come up with their grading and drainage plans.
00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:41.519
And then from there uh we can also do the construction staking and do the as built.
00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:51.199
So from you know, from the inception, right, the pre-development, doing the survey to construction staking to as built once it's complete.
00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:51.759
Right.
00:05:51.920 --> 00:05:56.000
So we are in all parts of the uh construction phase of it.
00:05:56.319 --> 00:05:58.079
And construction really can't happen without them.
00:05:58.160 --> 00:06:04.160
These guys are like appointing after they go, um, you know, the the land gets developed, then we come in and we can build up.
00:06:04.480 --> 00:06:04.720
Gotcha.
00:06:04.959 --> 00:06:07.279
So you guys work, you know, we have hand and hand.
00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:08.240
Yeah, we work hand in hand.
00:06:08.399 --> 00:06:10.319
We're trying to work together, but the opportunity hasn't come up.
00:06:10.399 --> 00:06:12.959
So it's the chamber.
00:06:13.920 --> 00:06:14.480
Exactly.
00:06:14.720 --> 00:06:14.959
Yes.
00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:23.600
Yes, we met Jesse uh a while back, and uh you know, we team up every once in a while just to talk about different projects and and that sort of thing.
00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:30.079
But um but uh like I said, the uh I have we have made so many contacts through the chamber.
00:06:30.160 --> 00:06:32.639
It's been amazing for us, for our business.
00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:33.439
For sure.
00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:34.560
And Jesse, what about you?
00:06:34.639 --> 00:06:37.040
Like what's your experience, you know, with the chamber and your business?
00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:39.839
You know, tell us a little bit about you know what goes on in your life.
00:06:40.160 --> 00:06:42.240
So the chambers actually helped me out quite a bit.
00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:49.519
I want to say I've been active for since August probably when I left uh my W-2 job.
00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:53.439
Um they actually helped me put an event together, what was it like two or three weeks ago?
00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:53.759
Yeah.
00:06:54.079 --> 00:06:56.480
We had over 100 people uh show up.
00:06:56.720 --> 00:06:58.879
I actually just posted a video uh to recap the video.
00:06:59.040 --> 00:06:59.759
That's amazing.
00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:00.800
Yeah, first event.
00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:01.199
Yeah.
00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:02.399
Things to to that.
00:07:02.720 --> 00:07:03.120
Yeah, yeah.
00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:15.120
And so we also did our ribbon cutting and we had, gosh, I don't even know how many people we had, but over 200 people with band and food, and uh it turned out it turned out great.
00:07:15.279 --> 00:07:22.240
So I mean that's just that's just what you get out of the chamber because um you want your company to be noticed.
00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:22.959
For sure.
00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:24.959
And and it does.
00:07:25.120 --> 00:07:34.720
I mean, in if you're if you go out, if you network, if you do um that's what that I mean, that's what you have to do in order to get going for sure.
00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:34.959
Yep.
00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:36.000
No, I agree with that.
00:07:36.160 --> 00:07:42.959
Any business, you know, whether you have experience or not, you can't do anything alone, you know, definitely not.
00:07:43.279 --> 00:07:51.759
So any advice you would give to any other, you know, entrepreneurs or someone who's trying to build from the ground up, you know, because we've all been there.
00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:53.439
So what was the hardest things?
00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:57.199
Like what were the biggest challenges for you guys, you know, starting up a lot of people?
00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:12.480
So you can get the financing that you need, uh, you know, setting up um the LLCs and getting all the uh you know the documents right and uh finding the right bank, partnering with the right bank because they're gonna be a big part of the business growth.
00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:18.079
Uh and at the same time uh going out and and uh meeting other people that are in the industry.
00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:23.120
And if you know what you want to do, right, uh then don't be afraid to make mistakes.
00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:33.840
Uh and get with the chamber, because the chamber will give you uh good direction uh to pursue uh your goals and your business, whatever that may be.
00:08:34.240 --> 00:08:41.360
And uh I I recommend uh anybody in construction to look up Jessie because this young man is very ambitious and he can get the work done.
00:08:41.679 --> 00:08:44.480
So look him up for sure at Civica.
00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:48.559
For me, um I'm a big believer that your network is your net worth.
00:08:48.799 --> 00:09:01.440
Um we really like to I guess to kind of found and kind of think back, the reason that we're here is because of all the people that I've met along the journey uh here at the Ford Chamber, at those organizations that me and Linda are actually a part of.
00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:05.279
That has been an amazing, amazing journey, amazing opportunities uh everywhere.
00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:06.879
And I can give you an example.
00:09:06.960 --> 00:09:07.120
Yeah.
00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:17.360
So last year at Build Fort Worth, I met, you know, I went around, networked, talked to everybody at the different booths and everything.
00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:28.399
Uh I stopped by Race Construction, and I met I met a young lady named Claudia, and uh we exchanged cards, we chatted for a while.
00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:34.480
Um and so I got back to my office and I emailed her and and we communicated.
00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:37.519
But after that, I didn't hear anything for about nine months.
00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:40.720
And then she called and she's like, hey, we need survey.
00:09:40.799 --> 00:09:43.360
We're on a dark project and we need you guys.
00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:52.879
So so it was a I mean, we went out there, we helped them out, uh, and then they said, you know what, we have a project, a small project at DFW Airport.
00:09:53.440 --> 00:09:57.200
So we were doing a project for them at DFW Airport.
00:09:58.000 --> 00:10:01.759
They connected us to a big company in Chicago.
00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:08.879
So now we're getting a contract with them, and it's like a five over 500-acre project.
00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:11.039
That's at DFW Airport.
00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:12.720
Congratulations.
00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:14.799
Yes, one of applause.
00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:16.240
I love that.
00:10:16.559 --> 00:10:17.840
So the growth is there, right?
00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:22.240
You know, and when you're when you're starting up your business, you you know, you're gonna have to wear all the hats.
00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:25.679
You're gonna have to um stay focused.
00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:28.320
And it's easy to get discouraged.
00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:31.519
And uh we come up with this word we call ants.
00:10:32.320 --> 00:10:36.159
Automatic negative thoughts that come into your mind and they can really bring you down.
00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:39.120
Just ignore those and just keep going forward.
00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:48.320
Surround yourself with a team who's gonna build you up, right, who's gonna encourage you, because the challenges are there, the mistakes are gonna happen, the growing pains are gonna be there.
00:10:48.480 --> 00:11:00.879
But at the end of the day, you're gonna be grateful for where you're at and where you're going because you're gonna see the growth, and nobody else can can do that but you, whoever is actually taking the risk, right?
00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:11.679
Business leaders are risk takers, uh, but a good plan, a good uh business plan, and follow through and learn from it, and just keep growing, and you'll see the opportunities open up.
00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:12.799
Yeah, yeah, that's right.
00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:15.840
Do you want to add anything, Jesse?
00:11:16.799 --> 00:11:18.799
Um for what again?
00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:20.080
Anything, anything.
00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:22.480
I know we're talking about you know, opportunities.
00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:25.759
You also, I heard, just landed a huge opportunity as well.
00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:27.279
Yes, we could talk about that one.
00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:29.679
I also have a couple others, just like uh Linda.
00:11:29.919 --> 00:11:38.799
We met at a networking event, let's say at the end of last year, and three weeks ago I got a phone call and then a follow-up email saying if I wanted to be a part of a project.
00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:41.919
So we bid a project and we actually find out if we won the project or not tomorrow.
00:11:42.159 --> 00:11:42.480
Oh wow.
00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:48.240
So it's just a lot of uh you know, waiting and having courage, having you know, uh animal.
00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:48.960
How do you say animal?
00:11:49.120 --> 00:11:49.840
Uh animal.
00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:51.440
Like um the will.
00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:54.159
The will to keep going and to not give up.
00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:54.720
That's right.
00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:55.120
Yeah, for sure.
00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:55.519
Right.
00:11:55.600 --> 00:11:59.600
Uh I mean, and a lot of businesses fail because they give up too soon.
00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:00.960
Because it's hard.
00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:01.279
Okay.
00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:10.080
I mean, there's been a lot of times when we're like, oh my gosh, how we're gonna make payroll out or you know, but but if if you keep pushing through, I mean it will happen.
00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:18.000
And and you just keep moving forward, keep encouraging um each other, and and I mean, that's all you can do.
00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:18.559
Right.
00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:26.240
And then once you're so far away, then you can't turn back because you gotta now we have employees that depend on us.
00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:27.600
So feed.
00:12:28.080 --> 00:12:29.039
Yes, exactly.
00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:31.679
We have a lot of families that are depending on us.
00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:34.240
So yeah, you just have to keep moving forward.
00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:37.200
Persistency is what it sounds like.
00:12:37.440 --> 00:12:39.120
Jesse, you're in a leadership program.
00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:39.919
Tell me about that.
00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:41.200
What does that look like?
00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:42.639
So, okay, yeah.
00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:52.000
So the reason I joined that leadership program is um I noticed that uh a lot of companies they they struggle if their their leaders aren't getting their herd right.
00:12:52.240 --> 00:13:00.879
So I was like, I need to start working on the fundamentals of my business to make sure that uh grow growing and going forward, um, everything is aligned, everything is where I want it to be.
00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:08.559
So before the Hispanic Chamber put on an event, I put on a program where we're getting microcredentials from both Texas Tech and Hard mentorship program.
00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:10.720
So that's an amazing, amazing opportunity.
00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:11.840
I'm so grateful to be a part of.
00:13:12.320 --> 00:13:13.360
Yeah, that's exciting.
00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:22.240
And uh our business was just a couple of days ago, we were accepted into the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:26.879
Um Avanzar and Blue Wave.
00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:36.639
So Yeah, we were so excited to get awarded that because there was uh thousands of people that applied for that in teaching.
00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:38.080
Yeah, yes.
00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:46.960
You know, and I think that just kind of you know adds to the importance of just staying relevant, you know, staying involved, you know, connected for sure.
00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:48.960
I'm gonna hang out around you more.
00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:53.279
You know, in land surveying, there's a shortage of land surveyors.
00:13:53.440 --> 00:13:58.960
There's only 2,500 registered surveyors in Texas, 60,000 civil engineers in Texas.
00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:02.240
And so there's a lot of them retiring surveyors retiring.
00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:09.279
And so if anybody is young people are interested in a career, land surveying is an excellent career.
00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:12.559
Uh, and it's a it's a growing, there's a growing need.
00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:15.759
Uh right now we had um last year we had an intern.
00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:22.159
He's going for engineering uh mechanical, I believe, or something, but he asked if he can come be an intern again this year.
00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:22.799
I said, sure.
00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:24.000
I said, but what have you done?
00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:26.000
He said, I took a couple of survey classes.
00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:30.480
So so you know, he's a true thing.
00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:40.720
So we have two interns coming in, and I believe that um there's a lot of room, a lot of growth, uh opportunity for surveyors, right, to come in.
00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:43.840
And it's a small group of uh organization.
00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:45.600
A lot of people don't know about it.
00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:55.360
Uh I do know that the Latino community, when we go and do surveys, uh the non-English speaking Latinos, they appreciate that our guys are bilingual.
00:14:55.519 --> 00:15:02.080
And so we need a lot more bilingual surveyors out in the field in construction staking, uh in every aspect of surveying, right?
00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:16.240
And so I know that um I just spoke with someone from Lulac, and he said that they need more uh Latino speaking uh surveyors because where they have the work, the owners, the property owners, they speak Spanish.
00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:18.080
So uh I said, Well, call us up.
00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:18.799
We're ready, right?
00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:27.840
And so there's opportunity there for Latinos to actually grow in land surveying and make a a strong impact locally and statewide.
00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:28.720
For sure.
00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.120
Absolutely.
00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:30.720
Talk about the median age.
00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:35.919
I know the median age of surveyors is like, yes, the median age right now is over fifty.
00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:36.399
Right.
00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:39.519
And half of those are over sixty-five.
00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:44.480
So just last year I know at least half a dozen surveyors retired or closed their doors, right?
00:15:44.559 --> 00:16:00.799
So I knew that there was a a need, and so that was another reason for us to open up our company, and it's at the perfect time uh because right now is a time where uh we can grow this into something great, uh building a legacy.
00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:02.480
Uh my brothers are in it.
00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:09.120
Um I have uh nephews working with us, I have a grandson working with us, and so there is a lot of uh opportunity there.
00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:19.120
And if you just want to learn either in the field, working in the field with equipment or working in the office with civil 3D RCAS to make the map.
00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:21.120
So there's there's lots of areas.
00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:29.360
The technology is changing, there's a lot more uh 3D scanning, uh handheld um drones with LIDAR.
00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:40.399
Uh so we've got all this new technology and we've got to keep up with it, and we're also uh letting the Latino community know that we can uh give them these services that they don't know exist.
00:16:40.639 --> 00:16:43.200
And can help them with their projects move forward, right?
00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:46.240
With accurate accurate data questions.
00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:46.720
Yeah.
00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:49.039
How much has uh AI affected you guys?
00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:55.440
AI has helped us with um there's a thing, there's a what's it called?
00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:58.480
It's called um AI deed or something like that.
00:16:58.639 --> 00:17:07.359
What it does, it plots the deeds out for us and then makes us a map and it gives us everything that we need to know for that property so we can go out and search.
00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:13.359
Because the corners on the deeds they call either iron rod or a wheel spindle or a tree, whatever it is.
00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:17.599
So we have a a mosaic deed plot, and that can help the field crews.
00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:31.519
Instead of us spending multiple hours reading, a lot of these uh deeds, these old deeds, are written in hand and cursive, and so it can be a little challenging with some of the younger, younger uh guys, but with this deep plotter, it plots it out.
00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:35.359
We also trained AI to check our work, right?
00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:46.160
So we'll put in it already knows it's got a checklist, already knows what it what what to look for, we'll put in our complete uh our deliverable to give it one more go-through, and then we'll we'll make those edits there.
00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:51.839
And also AI is also uh integrated in Sybil 3D with a 2026 model.
00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:58.240
Uh and it also AI is also being included in what's called L O Q Look.
00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:06.079
It's a handheld uh LIDAR that's AI generated that you can also directly uh send it to your PC and start working with it.
00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:09.039
And it it can also help with estimating too.
00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:14.960
Not completely, but at least, you know, it kind of gives you an idea of where of where you need to be.
00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:20.079
Yeah, you know, so so that's so yeah, it's and there's a lot of companies that don't use it, right?
00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:23.759
And so again, we're a younger company and we want to keep up with the technology.
00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:25.359
So that thank you for that question, Jesse.
00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:25.839
Absolutely.
00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:29.599
AI has been a great impact, a positive impact for our company.
00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.799
That's fascinating.
00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:37.279
And I mean it helps not only, you know, the people doing the work, but probably the people expecting the work.
00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.880
It just helps things, you know, flow around.
00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:52.319
And and uh TNT Geomatics, I mean, we we love serving the community, so we've also taken an initiative to uh to go out and teach young students about land surveying.
00:18:52.400 --> 00:19:01.440
And it's they're they're so excited and interested in it because it is uh it's it's it's a a dying industry that people don't really know about.
00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:03.039
They're like, What what is it again?
00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:06.799
And no project can move forward without land survey.
00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:15.359
So it's affecting every aspect of the construction industry with superintendents, uh, you know, with uh people with trades.
00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:18.400
Uh so it's affecting so many industries.
00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:26.160
Uh but I do know because we have a passion for survey, that it is really affecting us and we want to see how we can give back.
00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:29.440
And again, we're we're getting these younger guys uh they're in school.
00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:47.200
Like if there's there's kids that are going to school for engineering, civil engineering, and and they graduate with their bachelor's instead of going for their master's, take some survey courses and then go get your license, and now you got a engineering surveying double uh license and you become that much more of an asset.
00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:48.000
Right?
00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:51.599
So much more of an asset for forever you're whatever company you go work for.
00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:52.480
I love this.
00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:56.000
I love this because I mean you don't you only know what you know.
00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:59.359
You know, so being, you know, you said to yourself, like, I need to hang out with them more often.
00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:01.359
I mean, I think it it's it's just so cool.
00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:17.519
And I that's what you know, the events that the chamber put together, you know, bring to the table, you know, like we're able to have these conversations, we're able to, you know, see what opportunities are out there because we all know someone who, I don't know, can be a good fit or you know, is interested or whatever the case.
00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:27.440
I mean, and and that's one of the things that the chamber has is uh I mean they have so many opportunities for different classes that you can take, different training.
00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:38.319
And that's I mean, I we have taken all different kinds, whether it's like finance or how to get the financing or um how to get your certifications, that kind of thing.
00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:41.599
I mean, we all need that because we don't know.
00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:47.680
So yeah, it's been uh the the chamber has been really great to us right in in that aspect, yes.
00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:58.240
What about for someone, and I'll ask you since you're you know newer to the chamber, someone who's newer or who's intimidated by networking events, you know, because we mentioned how that's so important.
00:20:58.559 --> 00:21:10.480
What do you think is something that has helped you, or what would you, you know, share with people that are thinking of attending events but feel like maybe they don't get nothing out of it or they're too shy or whatever the case, you know?
00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:14.720
Okay, so honestly for me, uh going to the event.
00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:18.880
Well, the first I guess not working on that, but I went to your information with the chamber.
00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:21.759
And they're the people that wrote the ice for me.
00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:27.839
So because I knew a person at the chamber, that person would uh you know saw me and that they just started taking me everywhere.
00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:29.440
So for me, that was just a big ice break.
00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:30.720
Yeah.
00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:36.160
So honestly, like thanks to them, I you know, I broke myself a person, so everyone dropped the charge.
00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:44.240
Another thing that the chamber has implemented too is if you go to one of the networking events, it you get a different color bad uh you know badge.
00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:50.160
So then people know that you're new, so they will go up to and talk to you and break the ice that way.
00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:54.000
And I mean, when I first started networking, believe me, it was not easy.
00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:58.000
It was uh that I would force myself to go because I wanted to learn.
00:21:58.160 --> 00:22:04.000
Uh and now it's like oof, you go and you just you already you already know you have you have to drill down.
00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:07.440
Uh you go and and somebody will talk to you.
00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:09.920
Well at this point, I think you're a celebrity when you go somebody's networking.
00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:24.000
I don't know, from my experience, it's just show up with curiosity, you know, like everyone probably feels the same way as we do we did the first time we were there.
00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:37.279
So it's like, um, I don't know, for example, you guys, you know, Joe, you mentioned, you know, there's uh short of uh surveyors, a shortage of surveyors, or even like uh Spanish-speaking surveyors, you know, like that's a problem.
00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:39.680
You know the problem that the public might need.
00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:42.799
So it's just like you have information that you can share with people.
00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.279
Yes.
00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:45.200
So you know, prepping ahead.
00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:51.200
And the chamber, you know, is great, it's for connection, support, visibility, and community growth.
00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:56.240
And so, you know, we love that because and we're part of that, and we're glad to be a part of that.
00:22:56.400 --> 00:23:05.599
And I didn't realize how much the chamber really does care for the small businesses and builds us and gives us doors to go through, opens up.
00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:11.680
Yeah, opens up connections, uh, could gets us with connections that could take us to that next level, right?
00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:13.359
And will take you to the next level.
00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:15.839
And all you have to do is walk through it, right?
00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:16.400
Exactly.
00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:21.119
So everyone who wants to start their business, come on to the chamber.
00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:22.000
They'll help you out.
00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.680
Yeah, definitely.
00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:25.200
We love it.
00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:26.559
Well, I think that's it.
00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:28.079
Unless y'all want to share anything else.
00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:30.960
Nope, I think we get to go.
00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:33.519
Well, thank y'all for joining us in today's episode.
00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:35.759
Thank y'all for your time and sharing everything.
00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:39.200
Um, real quick, you mentioned build Fort Worth or build.
00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:40.000
That's coming up.
00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:40.720
When is that?
00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:41.440
August.
00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.480
First week of August?
00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:43.839
It's the first week of August.
00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:45.359
Both of y'all will be there.
00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:45.839
Yes.
00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:47.039
We will be gonna have to.
00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.319
August 6th.
00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.039
August 6th, yes.
00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:49.759
August 6th.
00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.160
Okay.
00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:52.480
Is it too late to register as a content guru?
00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:54.319
Do we want to share anything about that?
00:23:54.559 --> 00:24:01.920
Um, you can register, you can uh go as as just somebody that wants to go and talk to everybody, or you can get a booth.
00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.119
So, what is your website?
00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:06.480
Is it just Bill Fort Worth or who's just Bill Fort Worth?
00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.759
We'll have it in the link below.
00:24:07.920 --> 00:24:09.599
Oh, right.
00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.640
No, it sounds good.
00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.839
Great conversation.
00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:13.519
I learned a lot, and yeah.
00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:14.640
Thank you, Edelyn.
00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:15.920
Thank you all, of course.
00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:16.480
Yes.
00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:18.400
Thank you, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:19.759
We should do a little cheers at that.
00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:20.559
All right.
00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:21.279
Cheers!
00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:22.799
Fort Hispanic Chamber of Commons.
00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.039
Cheers.
00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:28.000
Cheers.
