Colinda Torrez-Teagle is the owner of Torrez Paper, Inc. Before becoming an incredibly hard-working and successful entrepreneur, Torrez-Teagle was working as one of the top managers at the Main Post Office in Dallas.

Shortly after leaving the post office, Torrez-Teagle went to school to become a licensed massage therapist. However, it wasn’t long before she realized that if she was going to work 24/7, it might as well be for herself!

Torrez-Teagle’s husband, David Teagle, invented a very high-powered ventilation system with several potential areas of use. In 2000, the Teagles formed a company to develop and sell the ventilation system called the Enviroblower. Torrez-Teagle was the majority stockholder and president of the company.

In July 2002, Torrez-Teagle, Teagle, and Enviroblower became clients of the Risk Management Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Bill Weddle, the director of the Risk Management SBDC, assisted them with reorganizing and operating Enviroblower as a minority and women-owned company, with Torrez as the sole owner. Torrez’s husband, Teagle, incorporated and owns Teagle Patent Holding and American Ventilation Equipment.

While in negotiations with Olmstead-Kirk to add the Enviroblower to their equipment list, Torrez-Teagle was offered an opportunity to become the exclusive minority distributor for Olmstead Kirk (O-K) for O-K’s paper and industrial equipment and supplies. It seemed like a great opportunity since Torrez-Teagle was familiar with O-K’s products from buying and using them while working at the post office.

In 2003, Weddle met with Torrez-Teagle and began helping her to establish Torrez Paper. The company has now been around for five years.

/ Torrez Paper is a very successful distributor of paper products, industrial equipment and supplies and is looking to break the $1 million mark in gross sales this year.

SBDC has also assisted Torrez Paper with obtaining certifications with the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency, Historically Underutilized Business for Texas, SBA Small Disadvantaged Business and the DFW Minority Business Council/National Minority Supplier Diversity Council.

Originally operating as a home-based business in Kaufman, TX, Torrez-Teagle has now moved her business to Dallas. Still operating from a home-based office with one contract person, Torrez Paper now leases office space from O-K Paper Company and is currently discussing leasing a warehouse.

 

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