Member News

The organization is launching with healthcare benefits. We begin with major healthcare brokers offering medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and related options available for members to review and buy. Small businesses and non-profit organizations can join CollectiveX for free. Membership provides access to published illustrative healthcare group rates, information about available options, and invitations to required CollectiveX information sessions to access desired healthcare plans. There is no obligation to select a healthcare plan to be a part of CollectiveX or attend an information session. While healthcare is our launching product, CollectiveX will be working diligently to add other products and services that benefit small businesses to this initiative by working with major corporations. “Together, we are the largest business in Texas,” said CollectiveX founder Julissa Carielo. “We saw an opportunity to create a collective membership program that brings big-business pricing to the small businesses and nonprofits that power our communities.” At a time when costs keep rising and our bottom line keeps shrinking, we look at our government and hope they are watching us, but we know we cannot afford to wait for them to implement something for us. Everyone always says they support small businesses and how they are the backbone of our economy, but they continue to be the last thing anyone will invest in. As a result, small businesses will continue to struggle. More than half will go out of business. Only a few will grow beyond the $1 million mark, and the reason is that they have no advantage, zero support, as they will always pay more for everything because they buy in small quantities. Paying more and getting less is what they have received for many generations. With CollectiveX, we are changing that, so the opportunity comes in the bulk buying power allowing each business that participates to save money and use that savings to further scale. This is a solution open to any small business or nonprofit in the State of Texas, and we know this will help make sure more money is added back to the bottom line. Soon after, you should start to see our Texas businesses begin to grow and create more jobs, and together, we will begin to improve our economy. Too many small businesses stopped offering employee benefits because they could not afford it, and soon after they also lost their good workforce. That alone forced many to close their business. CollectiveX takes a different approach to how our buying power can be used to lower costs if we buy in bulk as a collective group. This provides a solution when looking for affordable costs for everything businesses buy. Today, we launched the most important goal of taking care of the employees first, providing them and their families with affordable benefits by joining forces. On January 1, 2027, CollectiveX will begin offering the first round of employee benefits at large-business rates. CollectiveX provides a solution: if we can offer the same quality of benefits for our workforce, we should also have a better chance of keeping them. CollectiveX is encouraging organizations to join for free and attend an information session starting on September 1, 2026, for healthcare benefits starting January 1, 2027. As more organizations participate, the collective can demonstrate the size and strength of the small-business market it represents. “Every business that joins makes the Collective stronger and expands what may be possible for all of us,” said Julissa Carielo, founder of CollectiveX. “That is why sharing this opportunity matters. One membership can become one introduction, one introduction can reach an entire network, and together we can change what small businesses and nonprofits are able to access.” “Texas is experiencing extraordinary growth, and CollectiveX is about giving small businesses the scale to compete and fully participate in that growth,” said Daniel Rodrigo Galindo, Founding Board Member, Texas Economic Xchange/CollectiveX. Individually, small businesses may have limited purchasing power, but collectively they represent a significant economic force. By aggregating demand, CollectiveX can create meaningful buying power, strengthen relationships with Fortune 500 companies and other major institutions, and unlock opportunities that would be difficult to access independently. “The idea is simple but powerful: when small businesses come together, they don’t just gain a seat at the table, they create scale and strengthen their competitive position.” Healthcare is the organization’s starting point. As CollectiveX grows, it plans to expand into other purchasing categories, including vehicles, technology, business supplies, construction materials, telecommunication, and more. How to Join CollectiveX Small-business owners can become members for free on their website, view the published healthcare group rates, and register for a required information session at www.mycollectivex.com. About CollectiveX Texas Economic Xchange DBA as CollectiveX is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded by Julissa Carielo, Founder and CEO of the DreamOn Group. Through her work with local businesses, Julissa sawsmall-business owners and nonprofits working harder while often paying more and receiving fewer benefits than larger companies. She believed there had to be a better way. CollectiveX brings small businesses and nonprofits together to access pricing, benefits, and opportunities that are often available only to large corporations. We are starting with healthcare, with plans to expand into other areas where businesses can benefit from purchasing as a collective buying power. Together, we are the largest business in Texas! IMPORTANT NOTE: Rates, benefits, eligibility, and plan availability are determined by the applicable healthcare providers and plan terms. Media Contact: C. LeRoy Cavazos-Reyna, MPA Senior Advisor Texas Economic Xchange, DBA as CollectiveX Phone: 210-802-2126 Email: LeRoy@localisminc.com

San Antonio’s own Pulp Coffee has earned top honors at the 2026 Global Coffee Awards, taking first place in the Ready-to-Drink category for the U.S. & Canada. The Global Coffee Awards brought together roasters from across the United States and Canada, with entries evaluated through a double-blind judging process by experienced coffee professionals and certified Q graders. Pulp Coffee stood out as the category winner among competitors from across North America. Congratulations to our SAHCC member Pulp Coffee on this incredible recognition and for representing San Antonio on an international stage!

July 2026  Teatro Audaz San Antonio is honored to be featured on KABB FOX 29 San Antonio as we celebrate our 10th Anniversary Season, Audaz X: A Decade of Familia! This special recognition comes as we proudly launch our first mainstage production of the 2026 season, Con Mis Manos: With My Hands. We are grateful to FOX 29 for highlighting our mission, our artists, and the impact of local theatre in San Antonio. Join us as we celebrate 10 years of bold storytelling, cultura, comunidad, and live theatre. ¡Que Viva Teatro Audaz!

July 2026 Before we won the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Veteran-Owned Business of the Year award, we were already working hard. Like so many entrepreneurs, we were building, testing ideas, taking risks, and wondering if we were moving in the right direction. The award didn't suddenly make us successful. It gave others permission to see what we had already been building. For a small business, credibility is currency. Recognition opens doors that are often difficult to open alone. One introduction becomes another. One opportunity leads to another. Before long, you're no longer chasing work-you've positioned yourself to be trusted with it. That has certainly been true for us. Over the last year, The Colao Group has become more focused than ever. We refined our brand, clarified our direction, and aligned our work around the services where we create the greatest impact: economic development, cultural placemaking, strategic marketing, event production, community engagement, and destination experiences. Our new identity isn't simply a logo. It reflects who we've become as a company. That clarity has translated into opportunity. 

June 2026 Wild Pony Hat Bar, San Antonio's experiential custom hat brand is proud to announce the opening at its newest location inside the historic Basila Frocks building on the city's west side. The new storefront will officially welcome guests beginning June 27, 2026, brining together creativity, craftsmanship, and community in one of San Antonio's most meaningful revitalization projects. Founded by Casey Russell, Wild Pony Hat Bar was built on the belief that what we wear tells a story - and that the experiences we share while creating those pieces matter just as much as the finished product. After spending more than fifteen years in corporate leadership with companies including Nike and Boeing, Russell made the leap into entrepreneurship to build something rooted in human connection. What began as a mobile hat experience has grown into a thriving San Antonio business serving everyone from luxury resorts and corporate conferences to weddings, festivals, and neighborhood gatherings. Today, Wild Pony enters its next chapter. "Opening at Basila Frocks isn't just about expanding our business. It's about becoming part of something much bigger. The West side has rich history of resilience, creativity, entrepreneurship, and pride. We are honored to plant roots in a place that has always represented community and opportunity, and we are committed to serving the people who call this neighborhood home." - Casey Russell, Founder & CEO, Wild Pony Hat Bar Originally Built in 1929, Basila Frocks has been thoughtfully restored as mixed-use destination dedicated to preserving history while creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs and community programming. The building's revival reflects the same values that have guided Wild Pony since its founding: authenticity, creativity, inclusion, and kindness. At the new location, guests will be invited to do more than simply purchase a hat. They will be welcomed into a space designed for gathering, storytelling, and self-expression. Visitors can customize cowboy hats and flat brims through hat shaping, branding, accessories, and personalized styling while participating in workshops, community events, family experiences, and celebrations that bring people together.

King’s Tavern hosts watch parties, a ticket giveaway courtesy of Michelob ULTRA, and special guest Marco Fabián throughout June and July

Why San Antonio is Winning the "Gold Mine" but Losing its Human Edge.

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce congratulates longtime community partners San Antonio Water System and The Eatery Culinary Group on the renewal of their food service partnership for an additional three-year term. This continued collaboration highlights the power of investing in local, woman-owned businesses and demonstrates how strong partnerships can create lasting impact across our community. Owned and operated by Denise and Mark Hernandez, The Eatery Culinary Group has become a trusted culinary partner for major institutions across Texas while remaining deeply rooted in San Antonio’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The renewed agreement with SAWS reflects a shared commitment to innovation, resilience, and supporting the local economy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the partnership evolved to meet the moment by transforming the on-site café into a micro market serving SAWS employees with essential household and food items during a time of uncertainty. The collaboration helped sustain operations and preserve jobs while continuing to serve the community. Today, The Eatery Culinary Group continues to grow its footprint with partnerships that include University Health, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio ISD, and Baylor University.  We applaud both organizations for demonstrating how local partnerships can strengthen workforce opportunities, support small business growth, and move San Antonio forward.

For years, many of our members have asked about closer regional alignment between SABOR and the Four Rivers Association of REALTORS®. The Boards of Directors for both SABOR and Four Rivers have formally approved and signed a strategic merger agreement to unify our associations, pending member approval and National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) ratification. This milestone follows thoughtful discussion, evaluation and strategic planning by leadership from both organizations. We believe this proposed merger represents a strong opportunity to enhance member value, expand our regional footprint and strengthen the REALTOR® voice across Central and South Texas.