Fall 2016
The following businesses successfully completed the 30-hour Kauffman FastTrac® GrowthVenture™ course and are now proud alumni of the ScaleUp Rio Grande Valley program.
AquaMax is owned by Martha Reimer and managed by her husband, David Lee Reimer. The family-run company, located in McAllen, sells and services water equipment to residents and businesses in the Rio Grande Valley. The company also sells BPA-free, water bottles and alkaline water and has been in existence for over 14 years. AquaMax is an authorized water dealer for 3M purification and provides water quality-testing to its customers.
Bake A Cake is owned by Celia Grajeda, Miguel A. Grajeda, and Carolina Grajeda. The company, located in Pharr, sells baking and cake-decorating supplies and also offers cake-decorating classes to customers. Bake A Cake first launched in an 800 square foot space in May of 2005, and eventually expanded to a 1,300 square foot space in 2008. While the company felt some of the impact of the economic recession, it has continued to grow and has opened a second location in Mission.
C&H Security Systems Corp, doing business as All Valley Key & Lock, is owned by Yolanda and Edwin Howell. Lionel Levin is the Chief Financial Officer for the Harlingen company, which sells, installs, and services commercial security equipment. Established in 1974 by Larry Hart, the company was bought by Mr. Howell, a locksmith by trade, in 2000, who turned the business into a family-owned corporation with his wife Yolanda and son Luis Castellan. The company offers 24-hour emergency services, 365 days a year.
Manazil Al-Tal USA, LLC, doing business as TCBY Frozen Yogurt, is owned by Hassan Mulla and Gerardo Carrillo. The company, which launched four years ago in McAllen, offers frozen yogurt with varieties that include no-sugar added, non-dairy, and almond milk. The business partners, who met through a mutual friend, started their franchise company as a financial investment and their belief that TCBY is America’s best frozen yogurt.
SIMA Fitness Group, LLC is owned by Alejandro Dominguez, Victor Dominguez, and Adriana Dominguez. The three-year old company out of Brownsville offers personal, group, and youth-fitness training services. Together, the three business partners, who have a multi-faceted background and experience in business, health, and human performance, co-manage the company by splitting duties, per their specialized areas. Their mission is “to develop, operate and manage fitness training facilities that will contribute to the health and fitness of our community.”
Social Life News, Ltd. Co. is owned by Jose R. Cabeza de Vaca III and Maria Silvia Castillo. The business, which launched 12 years ago in McAllen, publishes a print and digital magazine with social news stories and sells advertisement to local businesses. Over the years, the publication has reached a greater readership in the Rio Grande Valley and received numerous awards and accolades for their social news stories. They attribute much of their success to the businesses in the community.
Wycotax, LLC is owned by Christopher Wycoco and Juan Carlos J. Villanueva. The company, located in Harlingen, is two years old and provides tax preparation services, payroll, notary, and immigration services. At the onset, the company offered tax preparation services but expanded to other areas due to client demand. Wycotax is open all year long unlike other tax-preparation businesses to service new and existing clients.