Bianca Vobecky has become one of the most sought-after entrepreneurs in Los Angeles after turning a trucking business that she operated out of her house into a multi-million-dollar construction company.
Vobecky was born in Haiti and grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. After graduating from high school,
she attended a community college where she became a contestant in a beauty contest and won the opportunity to come to California. What was supposed to be a trip, turned into a job working as an office manager for a construction and engineering firm, where she developed a passion for developing contracts. After years of working with the firm, Vobecky decided that she wanted a business of her own and started working for Xerox who offered to pay for her to get a business degree through evening and night classes while working for them.
“As I was working and getting promoted throughout the years, one thing that I noticed was that management did not look like me. I thought that the chances of me getting up to the corporate office were very slim and if I wanted to be in management, I would have to start my own,” said Vobecky.
With her passion and commitment, Vobecky started researching and studying how to get a General Contractor’s license. Owning a construction company was always the goal, but after learning that the process to get the license would take years, Vobecky decided to start a trucking company in 2006. She didn’t want to get any loans and the trucking company would allow her to bring in money while working from home.
“When I started, I just wanted to have a small business where I could spend more time with my kids instead of having them in daycare, so we started at home for the first three years,” said Vobecky.
Three years later, Vobecky had the money and licenses to start Vobecky Enterprises. The construction company builds commercial buildings along with federal government buildings, including court houses and homeland security. The company also builds for utility companies. Vobecky started her construction company during the recession, so she knew that she had to aim high to make money. She nailed her first opportunity and only good reviews have come after.
“It was a challenge being a woman in the industry who nobody knew, so I went to a lot of events, joined organizations and did a lot of marketing,” said Vobecky. “When I got my first opportunity, I over-performed and got good references. I make sure to do everything right. I pay my taxes, dot my I’s and cross my T’s because people always look you up to see what you’re about.”
One company that looked up Vobecky’s work and took notice was Wells Fargo. In 2016, the Small Business Administration recognized her as the Minority Small Business Champion, where Wells Fargo was the sponsor. Vobecky has personal and business accounts with Wells Fargo, but she never thought that she would be riding their stagecoach at the 2018 Rose Day Parade.
“I had been in the Glendora parade when my son played little league, but this was much bigger. The moment the horses started walking, the crowd was very excited, people were waving their bank cards and my friends, colleagues and neighbors were calling out my name,” said Vobecky. “My husband and daughter rode on the stage coach too, so it was really nice to share that experience with them.”
Last year, the Los Angeles Business Journal recognized Vobecky as Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year by the Black Business Association and as one of the Top 100 Minority Owned Businesses in Los Angeles. Vobecky also mentors and speaks at events for small businesses. For more information about Vobecky Enterprises, visit www.vobecky.com.