Ahead of the Game

Every day, subcontractors across all trades face the same critical dilemma: Should I sign a subcontract I don't understand - one that might even put my company at risk? Or should I refuse to sign and lose the job?

Attorney Karalynn Cromeens wrote "Quit Getting Screwed - Understanding and negotiating the Subcontract" to help every subcontractor, no matter how big or small, understand what those subcontracts mean.

Know which provisions you should expect and which ones to avoid. Identify dangerous provisions that need to be removed, learn the best negotiation techniques, and come to the table armed with fair language that can be substituted for unfair clauses.

Signing a subcontract you don't understand can put your entire livelihood in jeopardy. If you're a subcontractor, don't sign another subcontracting agreement without knowing what it means. Read this BOOK and Quit Getting Screwed!

Rene has been in engaged in the construction and real estate development industries for over 35 years (Formerly VP Zachry Hospitality and Zachry Realty). He left Zachry after 35 years to start a real estate development company with Julissa Carielo, and started a new career path as a business owner. He was her mentor 14 years ago and now they are in business together, but the guts to leave a large corporation to take such a big risk! It’s never too late to live your dream.

He has a firm belief in giving back and spent most of his career sharing his experience with small businesses and his profession by assuming leadership roles in industry associations and taking advantage of every opportunity he had to help establish small business advocacy programs and teaching.

In 2019, Rene and Julissa Carielo (Episode 8: "Dream On") co-founded and launched the new DreamOn Group with a purpose to build things that matter by utilizing their team’s expertise for a greater cause.

Tejas Premier Building Contractor Inc., was founded in 2006 with a mission to transform places and spaces through meaningful construction. Founder Julissa Carielo diligently worked alongside their Tejas Premier team, vendors, partners, and clients to build value into every project. Her husband Oscar, an established building designer, joined Tejas Premier in 2007 and helped establish the company’s reputation as a successful, respectable design-build and general contracting firm.

After 13 years in business, Julissa and Oscar expanded Tejas Premier’s footprint to include Texas and New Mexico, serving both public and private sector clients. Together, the couple worked to establish and support various non-profits to benefit the communities that Tejas Premier serves and works in. In 2019, Rene and Julissa co-founded and launched the new DreamOn Group with a purpose to build things that matter by utilizing their team’s expertise for a greater cause.

Today, the DreamOn Group is a full-service firm that encompasses a family of development, construction, and property management companies, including the DreamOn Development Company, Tejas Premier Building Contractor Inc., and DreamOn Property Management.

Julissa is also is a co-founder of the Maestro Entrepreneur Center, that is revolutionizing the way successful entrepreneurs grow their small businesses in Greater San Antonio, TX. Through incubating, accelerating and connecting small business, MEC is creating jobs for the local Greater San Antonio community. Through a creative learning environment, MEC provides resources and tools for entrepreneurs in order to continue the growth of their small business.

The Azteca-Omega Group was founded in 1989 by Luis Spinola, and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas with satellite offices throughout the United States. Azteca-Omega provides services ranging from General Contracting, Construction Management, Program Management, Design/Build and Self Performance services across a spectrum of projects for both public and private sector clients.

Industries served include Transportation and Infrastructure; Local, State and Federal Government Agencies; Education; Hospitality and Entertainment; and Real Estate Development.

The Azteca-Omega Group has always been committed to providing diversity in all aspects of its operations. Providing the opportunity that Luis was afforded in order to build his company.

Tim Hess, CFO of the Azteca-Omega Group, has been effective in working with all departments, linking finance with operations to improve productivity, efficiency and bottom-line results. His experience in teaching (adjunct professor of Finance for the University of Phoenix), he helps his staff to grow as well as teaching others what he has learned. He has led several acquisitions, including system implementation as well as multiple re-organizations and restructuring, and has an extensive background in both GAAP and IFRS, and he has been a key member of complex, international entities, ranging from $100M to $5B.

We just wanted to Give Thanks to all of those who have participated in, and were willing to dedicate their time to this podcast. So before we drop some more episodes, we thought we'd reflect on our own takeaways from the discussions we've had.

In this episode, we are joined by Lori Green, the managing partner of IBTX. While she is our "boss", she adds a great perspective of the conversations as a leader herself.

Lastly, thank you to all of you who have listened, followed, and downloaded the episodes. Also, for liking, commenting, and sharing on social media! Each one of those actions help spread the word, and we greatly appreciate it!

Stay tuned for new episodes coming soon!

In this episode, we speak to Yvonne Addison, MBA, PMP about her strategy when starting her business. Yvonne started her professional career as a Mechanical Engineer for an aerospace company. She knew there was more out there, and that she was capable for more than the typical 8-5.

Yvonne completed her Project Management Professional Certification (PMP), but the drive to continue learning did not yield. She went back and earned her MBA through the Executive MBA Program at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Shortly after, she became the President of the Junior League of San Antonio where she led the League through uncharted territory. Yvonne has also served on the board for the South San Antonio Chamber, and has served on the board for the UTSA Alumni where she is currently the President.

In our conversation, we discuss what it was like going from Mechanical Engineering, to non-profit, then back to the for profit segment. She also provides valuable information on resources available to business owners who are looking for help. Preparing and updating your business plan is a forte, and she even provides some tips on managing your personal credit score! All of which are extreme necessities, especially as we are moving more and more into a time of uncertainty.

In this episode, we speak with Chris Martinez the President of Central Electric Contractors out of San Antonio, TX. Since 1975, Central Electric has evolved by revolutionizing its methodology and annexing the second generation Martinez family. Alfred Martinez, founder and owner, has entrusted his experienced and dedicated sons to head the Central Electric operation. Central Electric is a Commercial, Industrial, and Federal electrical contractor and electrical engineering firm with over 100 employees, a team of master electricians, and a team of licensed journeymen.

Chris Martinez started with Central Electric in 2000, and took the role as President in 2005. Chris is proud to hold the responsibility of his master electrician’s license for Central Electric, as well as performing his role overseeing corporate operations. Chris ignited his electrical contracting career immediately upon graduating from St. Mary’s University with a BS in Accounting. Digging ditches and working in the field has enabled Chris and his brother to understand and execute decisive corporate operations.

In our conversation, we dive into the important aspects in running a business today, the importance of investing in your employee's, how they have been able to give back during a pandemic, and Chris's many community and industry related activities.

In this episode, we speak with RJ De La Garza about how RCO started as a small concrete subcontractor, and worked their way to becoming a premier Design-Build GC offering 16 scopes of work in San Antonio.

We talk about that feeling of landing their first real "big" job, and how investing into their employees was the key to unlocking their full potential. RJ's interesting approach to continuing his education to create added value for their company is discussed, and how his move to construction inspired him to double down on his knowledge about the industry.

RCO Construction's involvement with a couple of key fundraising initiatives is helping to shine a light on organizations that need the help. Including one very close to home for RJ.

For those looking for a Cinderella Story, give this episode a listen!

Interesting dynamic of community, leadership, and marriage is discussed in depth from this highly acclaimed general contractor based out of San Antonio, TX. From starting the company with high expectations, only to realize that it is not going to be as simple as it seemed at the time.

Every company is on its own path, and the Robinson's explain how theirs was shaped. Through their experience with small business certifications, building the relationships that paved the way for continual work, how they manage their work/life balance, to what it takes to be sustainable in the industry. This episode is filled with knowledge through experience!

Culture within an organization is a complex topic, in that there are multiple meanings of the word, and a million ways to establish it. In this episode, we speak with Chief Culture Officer and CEO of Beldon Roofing Company, Brad Beldon who goes into detail about his process.

Beldon Roofing Company has been around for 75 years, 4 generations of family involvement, over 100,000 projects (commercial and residential), and multiple locations as well as work being performed all over the United States.

Needless to say, managing the culture of a company that is as spread out is not for the weak. Creating opportunity for others is a focal point as well, and giving back to the community and industry that has provided the success they have seen.