Post by southsidesignmaker on Oct 18, 2008 11:09:49 GMT -6
This story is about hope and success. it is a follow-up to a topic on green about the ref.for Aurora East school district.
In my many encounters with customers throughout the region I was met one day at my front door by a hispanic young man (Fernando) in need of help. His request was simple as he repaired cars for a living and was in need of some graphics which I supply.
The funny part of this story has to do with communication. My customer came to me almost eight years ago speaking very little english, compounding this dilemma was my ignorance of any spanish. Both of us struggled thru that first encounter and managed with the use of hand signals and humor to get the business at hand accomplished.
As the years past Fernando's business grew and he became a good customer. His english like his business improved markedly. I wish I could say the same about my spanish. Recently Fernando has moved to bigger facilities and asked me to produce a sign for him. I went to his new location on rte 25 north of downtown Aurora about a mile or two (west side of street ). The building is humble by modern standards, but quite an improvement from where Fernando was on New York street.
Fernando now has a thriving business on the east side of Aurora, a business he built from the ground up. He is a first generation inductee to the "American way". He has expanded his business to include 3 other employees. He is a hard working taxpayer and businessman who has not only survived but prospered in these hard times.
Fernando is a part of the fabric of the "Old East Side of Aurora". if you are in need of body and fender repair at a fair price it is worth your time to look him up. Just let him know the pinstriper sent you .
I tell this story because with the right attitude and fortitude many things can be accomplished. Fernando's story is a story of promise and hope that takes place on a side of town that some might easily write off. I strongly feel that there are many other hopeful stories on the "East side of the river", problem is these stories are either untold or not seen by many.