La Voz Newspapers recently began featuring Hispanic-owned start-up businesses within their pages on a monthly basis for the sake of repairing statistics that indicate that 44 percent of all start-ups will throw in the towel within the first four years of launching. The newspaper introduces the owners of brimming new businesses and successful long-standing businesses to the public and uses their business knowledge to unveil the secrets of longevity and perseverance in an economy that makes independent ventures seem downright horrifying.

The Montealgres, who own Chris and Phil's Body Shop, kept their business afloat by seeing the benefits of true team work, business knowledge and not being afraid to put family and friends to work for a good cause. 

Chris and Phil's Body Shop came into fruition 33 years ago. The Montealgres dreamt about leading their own business and were tired of working under others. So, one day they took what little money they had and purchased a two-stall shack in Freeport, TX, having faith that the business would grow. In the beginning, Susy, Chris and his brother Phil would work full-time jobs and then would go to the shack after hours to work on cars. They did this until they became committed to belief that their business would sustain them.

The team-focused business functioned with the knowledge that a group-wide effort was needed in order to keep the business moving forward. Susy and Chris also ran an airplane refurbishing business in New Braunfel; their united efforts as flourishing business owners made it possible for the Montealegres to dip into other ventures. However, that business only had a life span of three years. And despite that failure, it didn't undercut the fact that the husband-wife duo knew that they made strong business partners. They then took full ownership of Chris and Phil's -allowing Phil to focus on other opportunities.

In recent years, Chris and Phil's is managed by Susy and one of her sons, Jonathan, and operated by a crew of high skilled workers. At its peak, Chris and Phil's had 48 team members, but due to the recession their employee base shrunk to 19.

The business is now strengthening alongside with the growing economy, and members of the Chris and Phil's family give their time and effort to ensure the longevity of the business. Everyone remains consistently mindful of their use of supplies and they collaboratively work to ensure that group goals are met.

The business went from the two-stall shack to an established site on a former plantation after only one year. Eight years passed at that site, and then they expanded to their current location in Richwood. The growth of the business incurred inspections, audits and anything else that might challenge the Montealegres' knowledge of their company. Once the business received a "hefty fine" for having improper equipment, and a Brazoria County Judge told Susy, "Ignorance of the law is no excuse." For that reason, Susy stays educated about things related to her business. She also stays abreast to news related to other local businesses and local business owners.

Susy also made sure that her sons were knowledgeable about the business, having put them to work in the body shop as soon as they were able to. She made sure that her children learned the value of a strong work ethic and knew the feeling of sweat bedding at their brow, even leaving her son to wash cars and prep for paintings as a child.

Being proactive, having supportive team members, having informed owners and being partial to sweat-inducing hard work are tools that helped Chris and Phil's stand the test the time, and act as a model company to others that hope to be as successful.