Imagine going from Marine service to tackling tech entrepreneurship and then spotting a huge need in your community. Roham Carrion Quiros did just that, building a vital resource for veterans. But his journey didn’t stop there; it involved 3D-printed homes and a relentless fight against red tape. What does it take to truly build bridges for those who served?
Roham Carrion Quiros embodies a remarkable fusion of military discipline and entrepreneurial zeal, driven by a profound vision to uplift his community. This former U.S. Marine, now a prominent San Antonio entrepreneur, stands at the helm of the Central Texas Veteran Chamber of Commerce, an organization he meticulously established to forge pathways for veteran success, offering critical support and well-deserved recognition for veteran entrepreneurship.
His journey commenced not in the corporate corridors, but on a distinctly different path, one that set him apart from his peers. In 2017, immediately following his high school graduation, Roham Carrion Quiros made the decisive choice to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. This early commitment to service and rigorous discipline profoundly shaped his character and instilled an unwavering resolve that would define his future endeavors and military transition.
Upon transitioning from military service to civilian life, Carrion channeled the same indomitable spirit into the business world. He initially delved into the home improvement sector, undertaking diverse projects ranging from solar installations to comprehensive home transformations. This work exposed him to cutting-edge technologies, culminating in a partnership with a leading space tech firm, an experience that ignited a novel vision for Texas innovation.
Inspired by these technological insights, Carrion envisioned a future where smart homes – residences integrated with advanced technology to simplify living and reduce expenses – were a reality. However, he quickly confronted the harsh truth that such innovative housing solutions were largely exclusive to the affluent, posing a significant barrier to widespread adoption and his ultimate goal of accessibility for 3D printed homes.
Undeterred, his search for more equitable solutions led him to groundbreaking research on 3D printed homes in Germany. This revolutionary construction method, producing entire homes layer by layer at a fraction of traditional costs, immediately struck Carrion as the missing link. He recognized its potential to make smart, technologically integrated homes attainable for middle-class families, sparking a new wave of Texas innovation.
Yet, bringing this visionary concept to Texas proved challenging, as he encountered a formidable wall of regulatory obstacles. In the United States, 3D printed homes were often misclassified, hindering their approval. Despite having completed structures, inspectors viewed them merely as foundations and roofing on paper, leading to repeated denials and considerable frustration. This bureaucratic impasse, however, inadvertently steered him towards another significant calling, the Veteran Chamber of Commerce.
During his efforts to navigate these regulatory complexities with local chambers of commerce, Roham Carrion Quiros identified a critical void: the absence of a dedicated Veteran Chamber of Commerce in San Antonio, a city with a robust veteran population. This startling realization, coupled with the discovery that the last such chamber had ceased activity in 2017, the very year he entered military service, galvanized him into action.
Thus, the Central Texas Veteran Chamber of Commerce officially emerged in 2023, co-founded with three other dedicated individuals. It rapidly evolved into a vital nexus for veteran-owned businesses, offering extensive programs designed to empower and equip service members to thrive in the civilian entrepreneurial landscape. Its flagship initiative, Operation Business Readiness, provides a comprehensive seven-week curriculum guiding veterans through every stage of veteran entrepreneurship.
Carrion’s commitment to the chamber is absolute; he openly shares anecdotes of donating blood and plasma in the early days to secure necessary funds and continues to work without a salary, driven solely by his unwavering belief in the mission. His enduring dream of realizing affordable 3D printed homes persists, but he emphasizes that the chamber’s collective achievements transcend personal aspirations, fostering a legacy for all veterans striving to build their own futures and embracing Texas innovation.
