Building stronger businesses through financial planning, strategic growth, and meaningful connections.
HACIA is excited to launch the first episode of Building Access, our new podcast featuring conversations with industry leaders, business owners, and professionals shaping the future of construction.
In our inaugural episode, HACIA Executive Director Jacqueline Gomez sits down with Roberto Escalante, Founder and President of Pueblo Consulting, to discuss the importance of financial literacy, strategic planning, and relationship-building for small businesses in the construction industry.
Meet Our Guest: Roberto Escalante
With decades of experience in corporate leadership, finance, and business consulting, Roberto has dedicated much of his career to helping small businesses grow and succeed.
A longtime HACIA member, former board member, and committee chair, Roberto continues to support our mission as a mentor, coach, and subject matter expert, sharing his expertise with entrepreneurs through HACIA’s business development programs.
Building a Business That Lasts
Throughout the conversation, Roberto shares practical insights into the challenges small businesses face and the strategies that can help them achieve long-term success.
The discussion explores several important topics, including:
- Financial literacy and business valuation: Understanding cash flow, profitability, and the true value of a business.
- Overcoming barriers to growth: Addressing what Roberto calls the “Three C’s” — capital, complexity, and connections.
- Strategic planning: Preparing for larger contracts, identifying specialized opportunities, and planning for succession.
- The power of networking: Building meaningful relationships that create opportunities and support sustainable business growth.
One of Roberto’s central messages is simple: “Build to sell.” By approaching business ownership with a long-term vision, entrepreneurs can make more informed decisions that strengthen their companies and create lasting value.
These events are more than opportunities to gather. They help build relationships, share knowledge, recognize excellence, and strengthen the collective impact of our industry.
Why This Conversation Matters
With significant infrastructure investments and development opportunities emerging throughout the Chicagoland region, small and diverse businesses have tremendous potential to grow.
However, securing new contracts is only one part of the equation. Understanding financial capacity, managing resources, and developing strong industry relationships are equally important to building a sustainable business.
This conversation reinforces HACIA’s commitment to providing the education, resources, and connections that help businesses navigate challenges and position themselves for long-term success.
To watch Episode 1 of Building Access and hear Roberto’s insights on how thoughtful planning today can create greater opportunities tomorrow visit https://www.haciaworks.org/building-access/. Don’t forget to subscribe to your preferred platform to stay up to date with the latest episode!