CONTRACTOR SUCCESS STORY
Cherryland Community Center , landscape construction by Native Soil , Inc . in collaboration with Hayward Area Recreation & Park District
While still in college , Manny realized that he could earn much more by bidding on entire landscaping projects , rather than just supplying hourly labor as his uncles had always done . Striking out on his own in this way enabled him to save up $ 20,000 to pay for a 3-month study abroad program in Italy , gave him some initial experience in negotiating project contracts , and boosted his confidence about someday owning his own business . He earned his bachelor ’ s degree in landscape architecture in 2013 .
Both Manny and Angie were the first in their families to go to college . Coming from a background with no resources or guidance , Angie muses , “ I don ’ t even know how we figured out the whole college application process .” She attended Cal State University East Bay in Hayward , where the campus community was much more reflective of the diversity which she and Manny had grown up with .
Like Manny , Angie also worked her way through high school and college . “ I was very well integrated into my community , so in addition to working for the Boys and Girls Club in high school , I worked for three years as an AmeriCorps member with the Spanish Speaking Unity Council , tutoring local children and providing free tax preparation to the community .” She earned a bachelor ’ s degree in business administration , with a minor in
SPRING CONTRACTOR REPORT - 15