Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Holguin.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Barbara. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was a probation officer for 10 years and prior to that time I was a parole officer. My background is a combination of teaching and Criminal Justice/Criminal Law. In 2016, I left Harris County Probation Department to be a stay at home mother and I quickly realized how much I missed working with my population. I sought out something flexible to allow me to stay in field but also stay at home with my children. I found teaching DWI classes at night solved my problem. I noticed as I taught for many companies that I could do this on my own. In November of 2017 I opened up my own DWI school in Nassau Bay, Texas.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not been a smooth road. Beginning a company where I juggled my 2 kids at home during the day, left my nights and weekends very busy. Thankful for our support system and family to jump in and help out with the kids when I had to teach and my husband had to work. To keep my overhead low, the first 2 years I taught all the classes myself. I have also never run a business before, there was ALOT to learn!!!
Please tell us about Discovery Alcohol & Drug Education Program, LLC.
At Discovery Alcohol & Drug Education Program, I wanted to focus on DWI education. There were many other companies that covered a whole variety of courses but I wanted to be really good at a few. A client can conduct all of their DWI courses with us including their alcohol/drug evaluation and even treatment if it is warranted. I hated seeing a client in an education course that left and no longer would receive help for their alcohol/drug issues. Here at Discovery, they can continue to complete the needed programs all in one place. It allows for them to create a rapport with their instructors and counselors in an environment they feel comfortable in. I have never been about numbers, the state allows me to have up to 15 students, I focus on the minimum which is three. Clients enjoy my smaller classes and their one-on-one interaction. I love that clients “Discover” the many possibilities when they are educated on how to manage sobriety!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My family used to have a big blue Econoline van that my dad modified to have a bed in the back. I remember packing up that van and traveling to New York, California and so many states in between.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1100 E. Nasa Pkwy Suite 211A
Houston Texas 77058 - Website: www.discoverydwi.com
- Phone: 832-602-6065
- Facebook: @discoverydwi
Image Credit:
John Pope
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