Meet Elvia Quintanilla | School Owner & Mother

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elvia Quintanilla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elvia, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born here in Houston, Tx, my parents are from Tamaulipas, Mexico. I was raised in Texas and Mexico, we would go back and fourth growing up. It made me appreciate the life my parents gave us even more. I saw 1st hand the lack of opportunity this is the biggest impact on why I started my business. Low income communities such as the ones I grew up in lack information on education, and the different pathways available. I saw this need and decided that I wanted to create educational opportunities for anyone that wanted to go into a fast growing industry, all while growing our economy by creating new jobs.

What should our readers know about your business?
I have been in the higher education field for 10 years now. Through out these years in the field I saw the immense need for educational opportunities in our communities. Additionally, I saw the lack of quality that many of the institutions had and decided to create a career school that is taught by professionals with the success of our student as our priority. This journey has not been easy, this business is male dominant and as a young Latina woman I am often dismissed easily and doubted for my acquired knowledge in the field. These obstacles come more often than I’d prefer but they keep me grounded. They motivate me to get up every day and get me one step closer towards inclusion in my industry. The biggest lesson I have learned is to be consistent, even when you don’t feel like showing up, get up push through it and the fruits of your labor will come. The most important thing for me is education. Education, is an investment in yourself that no one can ever take from you either it be a college, university, or a career school . Get out there and learn!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Houston has the best food there is! The best places to go will be; Gratify Neighborhood Bistro, Hearsay Market Square, Weights + Measures, Ninfa’s on Navigation as well as the local food trucks. We would also have to check out Minute Maid Park (Home of the Astros!), Discovery Green, The Galleria and the Space Center.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My son, family, mentors and friends are why I am able to be where I am today. Without their support, love and guidance I would’ve never had the full courage to stepped out of my comfort zone and start my own career school. I do this for them, especially my son. I want him to look back at all the sacrifices and perseverance and see that you can achieve anything you put your mind to.

Website: https://www.texastechtrade.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elvia_quintanilla/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elvia-martinez-78048a132/

Facebook: texastechtrade