Today we’d like to introduce you to Simon Garcia
Hi Simon, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started working outside my mom’s insurance business (VSC Insurance) on the west side of San Antonio to help support my family. At the time my dad had cancer and I was working to help my family keep up with bills as the business was growing, my dad lived for 2 years as the business grew. After he passed away I continued working on the outside to support my mom and sister. Afterwards, I joined them and opened the second office in Lytle. While in Lytle I got involved with the National Small Business Association where I would make trips to Washington D.C. to advocate for small businesses. I had re-enrolled in Palo Alto College to get my associates degree, and I also became involved with my local chamber of commerce, where I became the Vice President. I introduced the idea of a farmer’s market. At first my idea was turned down, but I persisted. The second time I introduced the idea, it was agreed upon and I had to meet with my mayor and city council members to request funding to begin this project. The market was originally supposed to start in 2019, however Covid had just struck, so the market was pushed back to mid-2020 and set up with restrictions. The market was a huge success, majority of the farmers began selling out of products and had to send out their families to pick up more. Many other surrounding communites took notice and began starting their own markets. My mom and sister, in support of my market, started making bread products to sell at the market, and from here our second business was born, The Texas Bullet Food Company, which is now a small, manufacturing food company that is licensed for wholesale. The Texas Bullet Food Company is also a partnership with my mom, my sister, and myself. After I left the Chamber, I joined them and we began selling our baked good, along with other food items at several markets all around San Antonio and the surronding areas. Today, I continue working at the insurance office, I also have become a bread baker, and I have started a new Chamber of Commerce (Texas Rural Chamber of Commerce) to expand beyond a local chamber and help Texans from all over boost their businesses. My new Chamber is still a work in progress, but it is beginning to gain traction.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. When VSC Insurance started, we discovered that my dad had cancer and we struggled financially to keep the business going. I was working overnights at a restaurant and trying to help my mom and sister take care of him during the day. After opening the second office, I was working alone to make it grow, while my mom and sister continued working at the San Antonio office as it was our main source of income at the time. When I started the farmers market with the local chamber of commerce Covid had just struck and we had to push back our opening. When we started in mid 2020, it was under heavy scruitny. We had a lot of push back against the market. We also ran our market through Winter Storm Uri, this was the most challenging market, we had let our vendors and food trucks know that we will still be running, and surprisingly, many brave business owners faced the storm and set up. This got attention of many shoppers as well, who also decided to brave the storm and support the local businesses. I believe it was around 9 degrees outside and we had a fully functional, and very busy, market during one of the worst storms in Texas.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I currently work for my mom’s insurance company (VSC Insurance), I specialzie in property and casualty insurance. Selling auto, homeowners, and commercial insurance, along with surety bonds.
I also bake bread for the Texas Bullet Food Company, my business. We make a variety of products; baked breads, candies, pies, and pickles. Our banana bread is our most famous products. Recently I have begun making our infamous Banana Bread Croutons, which can be used on multiple different food items, or as a snack to eat right out of the bag!
I am also the President of the Texas Rural Chamber of Commerce, which is a growing chamber that is focused more on a grassroots idea, connecting with individual business owners to try to help promote them.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
My food manufacturing business is available for Wholesale. So, any coffee shop, restaurant, food truck, or retail establishment can contact us if they are interested in offering our products in their shops.
My Chamber of Commerce is always looking to connect with local buisnesses and is interested in all kinds of ideas to form collaborations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.texasbulletfood.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/texasbulletfoodcompany, https://www.facebook.com/texasruralbusinesses, and https://www.facebook.com/vscinsuranceagency
- Other: https://www.grubhub.com/restaurant/texas-bullet-food-company-539-n-general-mcmullen-dr-san-antonio/9817744
