Success Stories

Veteran-Owned Business Expands With SBA Loan

 

 

Houston based SniperHill Internet Services, LLC was started in 2007 by Wallace Davis and Jerry Hartless.  An approved US government contractor, SniperHill provides unlimited commercial Internet solutions to US and Coalition Armed Forces, civilian contractors and International businesses operating on US bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.  SniperHill began providing internet services in Iraq in 2007 and in 2010 became the first fiber optic internet provider for the US Armed Forces in Iraq. 

Davis and Hartless have a combined 30+ years of specialized computer security and information technology experience.  Davis is a US army veteran and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Government Studies and a Master’s in Computer Resources and Information Management.  His 12 year military career includes resource management for software upgrades for US army facilities and a lead for ITT Services Corporation in Kosovo. His experiences also include Adjunct Instructor at Maryland... Read More

SBA Loan Helps Local Company Survive Recession

 

SBA Loan Helps Local Company Survive Recession

Chief Rufus Davis, a Tribal Chief of the Adai Indian Nation in Louisiana, is the founder and CEO of Chief Solutions, Inc. based in Houston, Texas.  Chief Solutions is a technical consulting firm specializing in sewer systems providing mapping of underground utility services, identification of problems in underground infrastructures, and physical inspections of water and wastewater drainage systems.  Chief Davis started the company with $1,200.00 in 1985 installing sewer systems and related services with rented equipment.  Today, Chief Solutions is an industry leader in sanitary and storm sewer evaluation studies with over 100 employees and field offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Indianapolis, Robeline, and Louisiana. 

Although Chief Solutions is now a thriving company, the recession impacted the business like many others.  In 2007, Chief Davis updated and replaced nine of his sewer cleaning trucks with brand new trucks... Read More

Frank's Nursery Grows with SBA Loan

Frank’s Nursery Grows with SBA Loan

Frank and Rosalba Nunez are the owners of Frank’s Nursery- Richmond Garden Center in Richmond, Texas.  Frank’s Nursery was established in 2001 and offers a wide variety of plants, trees, shrubs, soil, fertilizer, stone, pottery, and sculptures.  The nursery also offers landscaping services and sits on 14 acres, which was acquired with the help of an SBA guaranty loan.

Frank’s business is very successful today but his beginnings were very humble.  Frank left his home in Mexico at the age of sixteen to pursue what many immigrants come to the United States for, the American Dream.  Frank couldn’t speak English and took on any job he could get.  He worked as a day laborer in the construction industry and as a dishwasher and busboy in restaurants.  He later landed a job at a landscaping company where he honed his skills for his nursery business.  When the owner of the landscaping company passed away, Frank contacted the company’s clients... Read More

Young Entrepreneur Expands Business in Houston and Beyond

 

Young Entrepreneur Expands Business in Houston and Beyond

Young entrepreneur Masroor Fatany started Sears Garage Solutions of Houston in 2009 at the age of 22.  Sears Garage Solutions is a Sears franchise that provides repair and installation services and offers a full line of garage doors and accessories.    

Masroor’s exposure to entrepreneurship came at the early age of 10 when he frequently accompanied his father on service calls in his air conditioning business.  He later worked in another family business in retail packaging and shipping.  While attending college he and his father launched Unlimited Calling, Inc. selling pre-paid Cricket wireless products.  They expanded the business and now have 6 locations.

After graduating from Texas A&M with a bachelor’s in accounting and a Master’s in Finance, Masroor worked as an Assurance and Advisory Associate at Ernst and Young.  In less than a year, he realized he wanted to be a full... Read More

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