Q 1. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Ans: I run a coating company that serves many industries that include energy, defense, aerospace and plastic injection molding. It is a dry film Ans: lubricant that reduces friction, fretting and galling on metal components and areas where traditional grease or lubricants won’t work. I currently have a facility in west Texas, specifically El Paso. I also have a facility in Juarez, Chihuahua Mexico that applies Dicronite as well as a few other coatings.
Q 2. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans: I have always been an entrepreneurial person. At the young age of 9 or 10 I had multiple paper routes that I would subcontract to friends in my neighborhood. That kicked off the thought of working for myself as well as helping people earn money.
I started my current business in 2002 and I’m proud to say that in 2022 we will have been in business for 20 years. I was 26 when I started this journey and it feels like I never stop learning and growing as a business owner/entrepreneur.
Q 3. What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Ans: I was working at a Japanese injection molding facility and we were using the coating that I currently have on some of our injection molds. I saw many more opportunities for this coating, so I set out on learning more about it and eventually opening my own facility. We have since expanded from injection molding into aerospace, defense and many other exciting industries.
Q 4. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: Never stop learning. Your industry will shift and you need to be ready to adjust along with it.
You don’t have to know all aspects of running a business if you have a solid team to assist you with your weak points. Let the accountants, bookkeepers, social media experts and graphic designers do what they do best. That will help you grow.
Get a mentor. Someone who can answer your questions and guide you through your journey. A mentor isn’t always going to be older than you so always be willing to listen and accept criticism.
Q 5. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: You need to be willing to put in the time to learn whatever industry you want to join.
Being able to know when an idea is not feasible and changing course.
Being coachable. It’s okay to not know everything so always be learning.
Q 6. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: In the beginning I was working a full-time job and working on my business after work. Those were some grueling 16+ hour days. Now my days are closer to 10-12 hours. Since I have a few other side hustles I work on.
Q 7. To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans: Persistence and having the right guidance. When I started my business, being an entrepreneur wasn’t a fancy hashtag on social media. It was about being coachable and learning as you go. Mentors play a crucial role in that.
Q 8. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans: Working with professional who know how to get your information out there is very important.
Q 9. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Ans: I went through a CPA and had him write up a business plan and we presented it to the bank. The bank required some capital investment and I put up some funding for the initial loan.
Q 10. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: Never stop learning. I friend once told me, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” That’s why attending conferences, reading and being involved in mentor groups and associations is crucial.
Q 11. Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans: I see myself with an expanding business and venturing into other markets in Texas. I would like to open a facility in the San Antonio area.
Q 12. Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Ans: I really admire some local entrepreneurs such as the Lazo brothers with Lazo Holding Co. They have introduced Lube Xpress into a market that needed something different in the oil change industry. Over 7 locations and counting. Also, David Chen he was able to pivot his business and he is now working with the collegiate e-sports which is changing the world of sports. He is tied into the biggest names in that industry and he’s not stopping there.
Q 13. How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: Employees will always be vital to any operation. They are the ones who represent you when you are not there.
Q 14. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: I’ve stuck with some ideas for too long before. I’ve found that if it doesn’t make money then it doesn’t make sense.
Q 15. What motivates you?
Ans: When people tell me that I have made an impact in their lives. Either by advice or by example. I want the be that for my children as well.
Q 16. What are your ideals?
Ans: You always want to do the right thing. I believe that if you do good then good will come back to you.
Q 17. How do you generate new ideas?
Ans: Being active with other entrepreneurs always gets the creative juices flowing. Sometimes wanting to solve a problem is the best idea generator.
Q 18. How do you define success?
Ans: What I define as successful will not always be what others define as successful. Some might say having a Ferrari is a sign of success. At the end of the day if you’re happy with your accomplishments then that is success.
Q 19. How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: By solving your customers problems and adding value as their vendor. They will always look for you.
Q 20. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: Being able to make your own schedule. It’s valuable once you have a family.
Q 21. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans: Watching my children begin to catch the entrepreneurial bug. I can see their brains looking for ways to make money work for them instead of trading time for money.
Q 22. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: Entrepreneurs will always want to solve a problem. Some people just want the direction on how to get things done.
Q 23. What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Ans: I try to instill in my employees that they are the ones who can guide the business. If work is being completed in a timely manner, we don’t need to be micromanaging every project. They know when it’s time to crank out the work they make it happen.
Q 24. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Ans: PERSEVERANCE
Company Detail:
Company : Dicronite of Texas
Contact : Franco Baca
Address : 801 Pendale Rd
City : El Paso
State : TX
Zip : 79907
Country : USA
Phone : 915-585-7663
Email : franco-b@dicronite-elpaso.com