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1-800-3CUEVAS

Cuevas Distribution, Inc. Provides
Laboratory, Medical, Safety Supplies & Equipment

Background

Yolanda Cuevas Chavera was born the daughter of migrant farm workers in San Marcos, Texas. She worked in the banking industry for 14 years before starting Cuevas Distribution, Inc. a medical supply distribution company in Fort Worth, in 1993.

Chavera has made Fort Worth her home for 21 years. Her entire family takes an active part in helping run Cuevas Distribution, Inc. Chavera's husband of 28 years, Arvey, and their daughters Shannon and Kirston work full time with the company. A third daughter, Kimberly, works part time with the company while attending college.

Cuevas Distribution, Inc. began in 1991 as an idea by the company's owner and manager Yolanda Cuevas Chavera. But she did what many entrepreneurs fail to do before she started her medical and laboratory supply distribution company - she did her homework.

Chavera, who was at that time a banking officer at an area bank, got a tip from one of her customers in the medical supply business that the field held plenty of opportunities. Chavera's research showed her that few medical and laboratory supply distribution companies were owned by Hispanic women. She recognized the competitive edge she could have by being one of the few minority women distributors in the field, so she jumped at the chance.

Two years later, the Fort Worth-based Cuevas Distribution, Inc. was born. Chavera acquired an office space and some credit from medical suppliers, and she began networking with potential clients at universities throughout Texas. When she became certified through the state General Services Commission's Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program, her business began to grow. Through this program, HUB's become certified if they are at least 51% owned, operated and actively controlled/managed by a minority or woman. The HUB Program's goal is to promote full and equal business opportunities for all businesses in state contracting. HUBs are placed on a statewide directory that helps them have a better chance at winning contracts with state-supported agencies and institutions.

Today, Chavera credits the HUB Program with helping her win not only more state contracts, but also private sector contracts from corporations seeking to increase their contract participation of minority and women vendors.

Cuevas Distribution, Inc. now has a lengthy roster of clients throughout Texas. Among these state and private sector clients are:

• Cities of Austin and Fort Worth
• Harris Methodist Health System
• Motorola
• Texas A&M University
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• Texas Department of Health
• Texas Department of Transportation
• Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
• Veterans Administration Medical Centers

Ms. Cuevas-Chavera places special emphasis on providing quality products at fair prices, backed by consistently dependable service and technical expertise. The company represents major laboratory, medical, and safety suppliers with over 200,000 products for laboratories, schools, and hospitals.

Throughout her fourteen years in banking, her philosophy was to "treat other people like you would want to be treated." That philosophy is the cornerstone of Cuevas Distribution, Inc. Ms. Cuevas-Chavera also believes that people appreciate the one-on-one contact and personal service that a small business owner can provide, having more flexibility than the larger companies.

Cuevas Distribution, Inc. is located at 4200 N. Main St.
Suite 140
Ft. Worth, TX 76106
Phone: (817) 626-7110
Fax: (817) 626-7316
Or you can call us toll free at:
1-800-3CUEVAS

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