Remarkable Women: Michele Babiash
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — Michele Babiash is the owner of San Angelo’s Old Central Firehouse Bed and Breakfast and Pizzeria and Taproom. She and her husband started the business almost five years ago, a path she said it took a while for them to find.
As Michele puts it, she and her husband got married and started a family at a young age, so college wasn’t in the cards for them.
“It took us until we were 40 to actually pursue being entrepreneurs,” said Babiash. “We started working hard very young and started learning the value of saving.”
Now, with 32 years of marriage under their belts and two grown daughters, Michele passes down those values of working hard and saving to as many people as she can. Plus, another valuable aspect she says can make all the difference.
“We really focus our entire lives around giving back to others. We feel like God has put us in this position and blessed us,” said Babiash. “We definitely want to use our resources, whether it’s time, whether it’s monetary, but we want to use those resources to give back to our community.”
Michele doesn’t just talk the talk — she’s on the Chamber of Commerce board, she’s the President of the Downtown San Angelo board, and is currently involved in Leadership San Angelo.
“For the Firehouse, we give back to at least one organization locally per month,” said Babiash. “So, we’re always busy fundraising — finding those things, finding those people who need a little extra help.”
Not only that, but her family started a scholarship fund for dependents of first responders three years ago, and it’s been growing every year since.
“You’ve got to do hard work, but you also have to give back to your community,” said Babiash. “I think that’s what makes a successful business.”
Michele says it;s all about making connections and building on your own strengths, and it’s not about competing with others.
“As a woman, it’s hard to love yourself nowadays, it really is. Just be confident in the person that you are and the strengths that you have.” said Babiash. ” There are a lot of areas that I’m not strong in, and I think you just need to know the ways that you are strong, the ways that you can give back, and not compare yourself to others. “
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