| "AGGIE 100" - #1 HONOREE!! |
Building t o theTop
Tesoro Founder Melded Entrepreneurial
Streak With Skills Learned At A&M
By Krista Smith ’09
Like many Aggies before him, Clay Schlinke ’94 saw a need in the world, a need that he could fulfill: families wanted to live in high-quality homes that were affordably priced. And so by using his degree in management with a specialization in entrepreneurship, along with a little Aggie ingenuity, Schlinke founded Tesoro Homes and Development Ltd. in 2002. The success of Tesoro Homes has shown Schlinke that his vision was correct. His business landed in the No. 1 spot atop the 2008 Aggie 100 list. Schlinke was working at Access Real Estate Investments after graduation when he saw the opportunity to start his own business. By using creative and aggressive financing, Tesoro Homes, which is based in San Antonio, provides affordable homes for any buyer. Schlinke expanded the business in 2004 to include multifamily properties in the south central area of Texas. Plans are already in the works to expand the young company nationally. A second-generation Aggie, Schlinke knew that Texas A&M produced leaders and innovators unlike any other college. And now, the University is recognizing Schlinke for his accomplishments, a product of an Aggie education.
Texas Aggie caught up with Schlinke recently to discuss his thoughts on Texas A&M, the Aggie 100 and the keys to his success.
TEXAS AGGIE: Why did you choose to attend Texas A&M?
ClAY SCHLINKE: My father, Dr. James Schlinke, like a lot of fellow Texas Aggies’ fathers, graduated from TexasA&M, Class of 1967. I grew up on a ranch in West Texas and just always knew I wanted to be a Texas Aggie.The bond one forms with fellow Aggies is important and everlasting. For these reasons, my children also want to be Texas Aggies.
TA: Where did the idea for Tesoro Homes come from?
CS: I graduated in 1994 and moved to San Antonio. I started to purchase and rehab older homes upon arrival and was very successful. In the early 2000s that market started to tighten, so I looked at building new single-family homes. I realized that I could build a new single-family home and be able to market that home to be competitive with the older homes I was doing.In 2003, Tesoro Homes built our first home and then completed a subdivision in El Paso. While working in El Paso, we began to work with an investment group out of state who purchased our last 40 houses. This created a spark, and that is when I realized the huge demand from investors for townhomes and fourplex buildings in appreciating markets.
TA: How did your education at Texas A&M benefit your career?
CS: Being able to take specialty courses for entrepreneurship through the management program benefitted me greatly. It helped me better analyze my business and industry and gave me the confidence to know that I would be successful.
TA: How has the Aggie Network impacted your business?
CS: To sum it up, being a Texas Aggie is a great honor. All fellow Aggies feel this way and we all have a strong respect for our great University. I feel we are all family. Throughout my career I have met many an Aggie, either at banks, vendors, etc. … and every time I meet another fellow Aggie, I know that I am going to get the best service and respect possible. By being an Aggie, I established some of my first lines of credit with banks strictly on that common Aggie bond. I feel that by being an Aggie, this has helped me more than any other single thing to be a success.
TA: What does being named No. 1 in the Aggie 100 mean to you?
CS: What a fantastic honor! I felt that I would be included in the group but had no idea that I would come out No. 1. Earlier this year, I received the award for being the No. 1-rated company in San Antonio for growth, but the No. 1 rating in the Aggie 100 far surpasses that award. I am really proud of my organization. I value my degree and the Aggie family so much. Receiving this honor has been amazing, and I appreciate it more than words can say.
TA: Do you have any advice to pass along to Aggies looking to start their own businesses?
CS: Dream big and stay focused. You really can achieve whatever your goals are. All it takes is hard work and dedication. You already have a leg up on your competition because you are a part of the Aggie Network. Use that to your advantage and once again be determined, dedicated and never stop dreaming. Gig ’em!
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