Today we’d like to introduce you to Enrique Lara.
Hi Enrique, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in 1973 in Mexico City. At age 3, we moved to a small town in Michoacan, Mexico, where I was raised along with 4 other siblings in a small house made from cardboard and wood.
Growing up, I always had a knack for sales and socializing as I would go around selling things from bread to encyclopedias since I was just a little kid to help support my family. As this talent developed, it lead me to move towards the city on my own when I was 16 and then back to Mexico City at the age of 20.
When the Internet was just beginning to get a footing in Latin America, I read books on it and became very interested in the entire concept. It was in 1991 that it became clear to me that I wanted to dedicate the rest of my life to that new field.
Before companies had the internet, I started giving courses on how this new connectivity was going to revolutionize the way of doing business.
Eventually, in 1993, I started working for one of the leading companies in Mexico for this field called Infosel. This company would later be absorbed by Terra Networks. I worked in this firm for 7 years in different departments: Distribution Channel, Strategic Alliances, and Interactive Advertising.
And it was at the beginning of the new millennium, the year 2000, that I started my company: LaraNet. Three years later, I moved our operations to the U.S. in the city of Houston, Texas, and this city has been our home since then.
Now, in the past 2 decades, LaraNet is a team of over a dozen people including my wife, son, & myself.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We’ve all faced battles in our lives, some tougher than others, but it’s how we face them that defines us. For me, I’ve fought two of the toughest battles one can endure.
The first was 15 years ago when my first wife fell ill with cancer. She fought hard for 6 months but eventually succumbed to the disease. That was just the beginning of my journey as a single father to my 4-year-old son. It was a challenging and daunting experience, but I was determined to be there for my son and give him the love and support he needed to thrive.
The second battle was just 8 months ago when I was diagnosed with colon cancer. It was a terrifying experience, and the thought of leaving my son alone was unbearable. However, I decided to face this battle head-on, just as I did the first time. It was a grueling and challenging journey, but I never lost faith and never gave up.
I’ve just completed my 12th and final round of chemotherapy after my surgery, and I’m now eagerly waiting for the news in May that I’m 100% cancer-free. I know that this journey has made me stronger, more resilient, and more appreciative of every moment of my life.
If there’s one thing that I’ve learned from these battles, it’s that we all have the strength to face adversity. It’s not about the challenges we face but how we overcome them. So, no matter what battles you may be facing, I urge you to never give up, never lose faith, and always believe in yourself. Together, we can overcome anything!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My company, LaraNet, has a very simple vision: we help our clients grow with the power of the internet. This includes designing and maintaining our clients’ websites with a clear focus on SEO, creating and managing their social media presence, online advertising, email marketing, design, and online reputation. We’re known for many things, but one of our standout features is our reputation for being a trustworthy company after 20 years in Houston. I’m also a frequent guest on technology television programs, having appeared on nearly 100 shows to date.
One of our greatest differentiators is our long-standing relationships with our clients. We have clients we’ve been working with for 20, 18, 15, and 10 years and counting. We offer a service without a forced contract, but our clients choose to stay with us because of the results we provide.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
We’re always innovating, and we’re at the forefront of using artificial intelligence tools to help grow small businesses.
Pricing:
- $4,000 Website Design and Social Setup
- $600 Internet Marketing Services (Monthly)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laranet.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laranet_us/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laranet.us
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laranet-inc-/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaraNetNet
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyUe5AKcGylkBznVV218Xfw
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/laranet-katy
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@laranet_us?lang=en
