Amarillo business news in brief

ActionCOACH of West Texas to celebrate client success at BizX Awards ceremony

Rory Sheppard and his team at ActionCOACH of West Texas announce their clients' recognition at the upcoming BizX Awards Ceremony. The conference will span three days, culminating in a ceremony to honor small businesses from across North America and recognizing the "Best of the Best" in the small- to medium-business sector.

"We have been blessed to work with some tremendous clients and business owners. We have watched them grow and increase their impact in our community significantly in just two short years," said Rory Sheppard, firm owner of ActionCOACH of West Texas.

Among the finalists are Little Bee's Playhouse, recognized for Best Child-Friendly Business and Favorite Neighborhood Business; Midwest Compressor Systems and its CEO David Abshire, honored in three categories, including Manufacturer/Wholesaler/Distributor, Best Overall Company and CEO of the Year; and Amarillo Angels, as Best Non-Profit. Other honorees include Crackin' Crab Seafood Boil Restaurant and Drunken Oyster Cajun Kitchen for Best Full-Service Restaurant, and America's Best Thrift Store and English Rose Boutique for Best Retailer. Leif Kertis is a finalist in the category of Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Kathy Lopez, owner of Little Bee’s Playhouse, said, “It’s exciting to be part of such a great event and to be recognized in two categories, just for doing what we love.”

The 2023 BizX conference and awards ceremony will take place April 3 through 6 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville. For more information on the event, visit https://bizxamerica.com/.

Fairly family to acquire Hills Sport Shop

In 1964, Gene Hill opened a lawn mower and bicycle shop on 6th Street, which evolved into Amarillo’s largest and most-trusted bicycle shop, and one of the most recognized bicycle shops in Texas.

For nearly 60 years Hills Sport Shop has been outfitting the Panhandle with bicycles, outdoor recreation equipment and incredible customer service.

The Hill family announces that they are passing the torch to the Fairly family, who will carry on the Hills Sport Shop legacy.

Hills Sport Shop will close temporarily on Friday, March 24 and reopen on Saturday, May 20, with a new staff, well known in the Amarillo bicycle community, and with a heavily stocked bicycle shop with the highest-quality bicycles, accessories, equipment and e-bikes.

“The Fairly family were the natural fit to nurture Hills for the next 25 years,” said current president, Kirk Hill.

“Gene and LaVoyda were our next-door neighbors and we grew up going to Hills Sport Shop, so it was an easy decision when Kirk called,” said Christian Fairly. “Hills is a legacy Amarillo business and we are honored to bring this beloved bicycle shop back to life.”

Hills will celebrate with a Grand Reopening on Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The public is welcome to celebrate Hills’ reopening and experience the largest selection of bicycles and accessories in the Panhandle.

Rojo named Professional Driver of the Year

At her core, Rose Rojo leads by serving — whether by mentoring new truck drivers, helping needy children in Honduras on annual trips, or reaching out to youth in her own community.

“I love helping people,” said Rojo, who was recently named the Truckload Carriers Association Professional Driver of the Year. “It’s my goal to help those less fortunate than myself.”

Since 2016, Rojo has driven more than 1.5 million miles for John Christner Trucking in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. She said she enjoys truck driving because it takes her to different areas of the country.

The Amarillo resident has earned respect from colleagues for her integrity, her level of excellence and for consistently giving back.

“Rose has gone above the call of duty here at JCT — she is a great driver mentor here,” says JCT’s Laura Watkins. “She is always safe and courteous to all employees and customers, going the extra mile to make them happy.”

Colleagues say Rojo really loves driving a truck, but her true passion is mentoring and helping abused, neglected children and helping foster parents understand and cope with children who have been in an abusive home. A survivor of childhood abuse herself, Rojo reaches out to struggling children to offer hope and encouragement.

“I’m super proud of what I’ve overcome,” says the mother of two and grandmother of two. Annually she visits Honduras to serve underprivileged children and also supports one little boy there, providing resources for his school and clothing.

“We take so much for granted,” she says. “I want to help those kids out.”

Whether at work or in her down time, Watkins notes about Rojo, “She always gives her best!”

Nonprofit Buckner announces 93.9% success rate for Single-Parent Program

Nonprofit Buckner Children and Family Services announced a 93.9% success rate for its single-parent family program, Buckner Family Pathways. The program, which served 166 Texas families in 2022, is designed to help single parents obtain a higher education degree, better care for their children, and achieve self-sufficiency.

The 2022 Buckner Family Pathways success rate was measured by program completion. Graduation from the program occurs when the single-parent participants meet one of the following qualifications: graduation with a degree or certificate, transfer to a higher degree program, and/or achieving sustainable employment and financial self-sufficiency. In 2022, Buckner Family Pathways served 20 in Amarillo and 166 families Texas-wide. Of these, two graduated from the program this year in Amarillo, and 31 graduated Texas-wide. Family Pathways participants are usually enrolled in the program between two and four years.

Last year’s participants also reported a 94% satisfaction rating with the program in meeting the program’s self defined standards of quality for family strengthening and support.

“It’s not just about finishing the program, it’s about accomplishing something they didn’t think was possible,” said Marisa Phillips, senior director of Buckner Family Pathways. “The women I have talked with have continued to succeed. Their success looks different. For some it’s an achieved salary or dollar amount in savings, for others it’s the degree or vocation, and others its tangible things like buying a car or home.”

During their time in Buckner Family Pathways, single parents are provided affordable housing, childcare, parenting skills and money management classes, counseling, family coaching, mentorship, and conflict resolution tools. These resources help protect the families from domestic abuse, financial uncertainty, homelessness, and hopelessness.

According to Pew Research Center, the U.S has the world’s highest rate of children living in single parent households at 23%. In Texas, 42% of single-mother families live in poverty. Family Pathways is family-focused, rather than just parent-focused, resulting in generational change.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area business news and developments in brief