Web developer/consultant just needed a break

January 29, 2006

Author: Deidre Williams - NEWS STAFF REPORTER

Fifteen years ago, Silvia Morales-Fakler was living in poverty, receiving welfare and other public assistance.

Then one day, she walked into Hispanics United of Buffalo, told them she was a small business owner specializing in information technology, and asked if the agency could help her get the business moving.

That's how she got her first contract for AtSilvia.com, which also does Web development and consulting.

For about $5,000, Morales-Fakler provided a computer literacy program for parents of students at Public School 76, a bilingual school on Elmwood Avenue. Then she got a $5,000 contract with the West Side Community Center, but it wasn't until last year that Morales got her big break -- a multimillion-dollar, multiyear contract with the Department of Defense to provide information technology, Web development and training.

Her next step was to secure funding for staff and equipment. A $45,000 loan from the Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corp. was the answer.

"It was very valuable for me to have that money. If I didn't have it, I would be out of business," she said.

AtSilvia.com, which employs five people with a team of 15 consultants, provides customers with Web development, information technology, consulting, bilingual and technical training and engineering services. About 30 percent of the team is bilingual, Morales-Fakler said.

In addition to the Department of Defense contract, Morales-Fakler also has partnered with IBM, which provides her with mentoring services, and with LP Ciminelli Inc. on Buffalo's Joint Schools Construction Project, a 10-year, $1 billion investment and the region's biggest public works project.

AtSilvia.com, at 555 Niagara St., provides information technology training specifically for the schools project for about $10,000, Morales-Fakler said.

She said LP Ciminelli believes minorities can make a difference.

"They believe there's value in growing in the same way your work force and customers are growing. You can't be isolated," she said, referring to the fact that Hispanics are the fastest growing segment of the minority population across the country.

In addition, Morales-Fakler plans to bid on a multimillion-dollar, districtwide technology project that includes installation of computer hardware devices, maintenance and Web development for Buffalo Public Schools.

LP Ciminelli first developed a relationship with Morales-Fakler about four years ago on both the corporate level and through the Joint Schools Construction Project, explained Vice President Thomas Weeks.

"She's a good example of a successful minority woman business owner," Weeks said.

"Prior to the schools, she worked with us on corporate training issues, most specifically in providing technology and software programs training," Weeks said. "We continued that relationship with her in a similar vein in the (schools project) program.

"We've had a good experience working with her," Weeks continued. "She really stood out as an advocate for the Hispanic community in looking for ways for them to make the most out of opportunities."

True to her beliefs, Morales helped 25 local Hispanics get jobs at Client Logic, a call center company, which at the time, didn't know how to find a bilingual work force to service a contract it had acquired in Latin America.

"I'm able to make things happen for my community," she said. "I believe in putting together a team of local people. Surround yourself with highly skilled employees and consultants," she said. "If you want to develop the community, you have to come into the community."

Buffalo News, The (NY)

January 29, 2006

Web developer/consultant just needed a break

Author: Deidre Williams - NEWS STAFF REPORTER

Edition: Final
Section: Prospectus
Page: P7

e-mail: dswilliams@buffnews.com

Caption:
Ronald J. Colleran/Buffalo News
Silvia Morales-Fakler, owner of AtSilvia.com, has scored a
multimillion-dollar, multiyear Department of Defense contract to provide
information technology, Web development and training.

Copyright (c) 2006 The Buffalo News
Record Number: 0601300006