HIRE360 helps woman to expand business

Cristina Villafuerte Beran is the owner of Chicago Voice & Data Authority, a telecommunications company. Through working with Hire360, Beran was able to expand her business. PHOTO PROVIDED BY HIRE360.
Cristina Villafuerte Beran is the owner of Chicago Voice & Data Authority, a telecommunications company. Through working with Hire360, Beran was able to expand her business. PHOTO PROVIDED BY HIRE360.

HIRE360 helps woman to expand business

By Tia Carol Jones

Cristina Beran became interested in the electrical trade because of her father. She helped him with his electrical work. She started her own business more than 10 years ago. She wanted to grow her company and knew in order to do that, she needed to become unionized.

Chicago Voice & Data Authority, the company Beran owns, specializes in technology and electrical services. The company’s services include voice services, data services, audio and video, fire alarm, security systems and access control. The company is part of IBEW Local 134.

Hire360 helped Chicago Voice & Data Authority get over a hurdle that enabled Beran to expand her business and get contracts with local government entities. She was able to go to Jay Rowell, Executive Director of Hire360, to get the help she needed. Hire360 was launched in 2020 as a way to address representation of minorities and women in the construction industry.

As a woman of color business owner, Beran has experienced how difficult it is to be taken seriously when it comes to getting contracts for bigger projects.“Even though we’re qualified and just as professional as our competitors, we’re still being left behind in getting opportunities or being able to participate in bigger projects,” Beran said.

Now, Beran is mentoring two minority-owned businesses. She is taking what she learned from her experience to help other businesses. Her hope is that it will be easier for those businesses.
Chicago Voice & Data Authority’s first big project was with Related Midwest, working on Lathrop Homes. The contract the company received from that enabled her to expand her business and hire more people.

When Chicago Voice & Data Authority began more than 10 years ago, there were three employees. Now, there are 55 employees. Beran is ready to hire more people as her business expands. Chicago Voice & Data Authority also has worked with Rush Hospital, Black Electric, Power Electric, as well as other big companies.

“When I started working with my father and how I learned the trade, it was very hard for us, there were no training schools or programs like Hire360 that could give us the opportunity to join the trades,” Beran said, adding that she is grateful someone gave her an opportunity.

Chicago Voice & Data Authority also sponsors and hires young people from the community to get involved in skilled trades. The company especially focuses on helping young people from disadvantaged communities, because she knows what they had to go through.

For more information about Chicago Voice & Data Authority, visit chicagovoiceanddataauthority.com. For more information about Hire360, visit hire360chicago.com.

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