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Panama City Man Becomes Entrepreneur

PANAMA CITY, FL - Hector Vargas knows bicycles from the inside out. He's been fixing them for years, but now he's turned "pro." Vargas recently opened his own bicycle repair shop in the Panama City area---quite an accomplishment for a man with a developmental disability.

His fascination with wheels runs in the family. As a boy, Vargas loved hanging around his father's motorcycle repair shop. "My father taught me a lot of things since I was small," he says. Vargas found his true calling when he was given an old bicycle. In no time at all, he had reconditioned the rusty gears himself.

Originally from Puerto Rico, the family relocated to Northwest Florida when Vargas was 10 years old. After tests revealed a low IQ, he attended special education classes and graduated from Chipley High School. Vargas soon enrolled in a vocational technical school which led to a part-time job in a Marianna bicycle repair shop. The Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) funded the employment coach needed to assist Vargas in maintaining that job.

The 37-year-old Vargas now lives in Panama City. Last year, with help from his employment coach, Amir Lizarraga, and local APD staff, Vargas applied for a Micro-Enterprise Training and Technical Assistance grant funded by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council. Vargas was awarded the grant---one of only five awarded statewide.

The grant's purpose is to assist a developmentally disabled person to become an entrepreneur in their chosen career. It also provides customized support, such as a business specialist, to each recipient. The business specialist guides the individual and his support team in determining the viability of a business, developing a business plan, and designing market strategies.

After seven months of development, Vargas' repair shop, Javier LLC, opened for business on May 30 in Lynn Haven. "It feels so good to own my own business," Vargas says. "I love working in my own shop and being in charge. Someday I'll have a bigger shop."

Javier LLC recently secured a contract with the Homeless Day Resource Center of Panama City to provide refurbished bicycles. In its efforts to get homeless people working again, the center will distribute the bikes to its clients so they can get to their new jobs.

"Donated bikes are needed for the contract," says Lizarraga. "The Salvation Army donated a number of bikes, but more are needed. Hector likes to stay busy and has even hired someone to help with the work."

But Vargas is quick to point out that repairing and refurbishing the bikes of regular customers will always be the focus of his business. "I can repair anything," Vargas boasts. "Adult bikes, kid's bikes, mountain bikes, you name it!"

To donate a bike to the homeless program, contact Lizarraga at (850) 624-1827 or lizarraga@bellsouth.net. Or you can bring it by the shop, where you can also drop off your own bike for an expert tune-up or repair. Javier LLC is located at 1709 Montana Avenue in Lynn Haven. It's open Monday through Friday from 1 until 5 p.m.

APD supports people with developmental disabilities to live, learn, and work in their communities. The agency emphasizes employment in the community, no matter what challenges each person may face. For more information about the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, visit apd.myflorida.com or call toll-free 1-866-APD-CARES (1-866-273-2273).