Reyes Diesel Just Got Bigger and Better

The growing pains of a business come in waves, and often the solution to a challenge becomes the challenge itself. Yet, success can be achieved one step at a time. With Reyes Diesel, the SBA was there at each step to offer support.  As this family-owned operation expanded through the years, shedding the skin of its smaller size, the transformation demanded stewardship, patience, and a belief in oneself. Knowing they needed to expand operations to meet their business goals and become a leader in their local industry, owners Guadalupe and Patricia of Reyes Diesel sought to build a premier servicing enterprise. After a tenacious journey of working hard and believing in the future, they are now enjoying their new 12,000-square-foot facility, which is perfectly situated near San Angelo's city center to serve the large diesel service contracts Reyes Diesel has acquired over the years.

Using the funding they received from an SBA 7(a) loan, the Reyes moved out of their former poorly-located 3,000-square-foot shop to a much larger space and can now implement ideas that they never thought possible, including the creation of a new diesel parts shop. Guadalupe is extremely excited about this project, which will support other diesel mechanics and attract more business to the area. These achievements would not have been possible without the assistance of the SBA. The facility houses eight work bays, which are big enough to service the rigs for America’s third largest chemical company, as well as the school buses for the City of San Angelo and other surrounding school districts. The company also serves truckers within a 100-mile radius, and the newly located diesel shop is much more accessible and closer to truck stops that cater to the junction of several highways.

Last year, Mr. Reyes won the Minority Small Business of the Year Award for the SBA San Antonio District Office. After being asked how this award impacted him, he said with grateful humility, “It gave me support when times became tough due to my contractor leaving the new facility halfway through construction. I worked night and day to get it completed so we could start reaping the rewards of our investment, while still trying to service our current clientele. The situation cost me a lot of time, money, and worry. The award made me feel supported… it reminded me that I was not alone, knowing that the community believed in me."

The SBA helped Reyes commit to the long game, which began many years ago at the SBDC in San Angelo, where he received expert business training and guidance. Reyes acknowledged that working with SBA helped him focus on his business in a way he never had before. He realized the importance of guiding his business, establishing long-term goals, and evaluating the larger financial picture. Reyes’ team stays busy with an all-hands-on-deck philosophy to get through the daily tasks of a growing business, but Reyes happily admitted that he is now enjoying the fruits of his labor and he and his wife are finally able to take the weekends off. They are even considering taking a much-needed vacation.