Aztec Contractors Houston
Bauer College of Business, University of Houston – The Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship
Industry: Construction & Real Estate Development
Founding Student Name(s): Valeria Serenil, Co-Founder & Co-Owner
Brief Description of Solution: Aztec Contractors Houston is a Latina- and family-owned general contracting firm disrupting the construction industry by bridging craftsmanship with community empowerment. We specialize in roofing, remodeling, and commercial buildouts, while actively training and employing individuals who have been historically underrepresented or disadvantaged in construction. Our mission extends beyond building structures—we build people, through education, employment, and empowerment.
Funding Dollars: Average around $600-800K in sales a year with over $5,000 in business capital from pitch competitions
What led you to launch this venture? Growing up around construction, I saw both the pride and pain in the trades. I wanted to modernize my father’s 20-year-old company by adding structure, systems, and social impact. Launching Aztec Contractors Houston was about honoring legacy while creating a new standard of excellence and inclusivity for women and minorities in construction.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far with venture? Our biggest accomplishment has been expanding from residential roofing into full general contracting, winning commercial projects for clients like the YMCA and U.S. Coast Guard, and expanding our business to the bar and entertainment industry. We’ve also launched a workforce-training nonprofit, Second Blessing, to help formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives through construction training and employment.
How has your business-related major helped you further this startup venture? My dual major in Entrepreneurship and Finance has given me the financial literacy and strategic mindset to manage budgets, negotiate contracts, and forecast cash flow projects. The Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship taught me to lead with integrity, communicate vision clearly, and build scalable systems that position Aztec for long-term growth.
Which business class has been most valuable in building your startup and what was the biggest lesson you gained from it? Behavioral Finance with Professor Dale Rude has been the most valuable class for my startup. It helped me understand that every buying decision is rooted in psychology. People purchase based on emotion first and logic second. Learning what truly motivates people to buy has allowed me to position Aztec’s services with empathy and trust, turning conversations into connections and prospects into loyal clients. This understanding makes it possible to sell virtually anything because it is no longer just about the product. It is about people.
What business professor made a significant contribution to your plans and why? Dave Cook, Director of the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, has been instrumental in my journey. He helped me see the difference between running a small business and leading a scalable enterprise. His mentorship pushed me to think bigger, implement KPIs, and build Aztec’s financial foundation with confidence.
What founder or entrepreneur inspired you to start your own entrepreneurial journey? How did he or she prove motivational to you? The entrepreneurs I look up to the most are my parents. My father, Reynaldo Serenil, built Aztec Contractors from the ground up through hard work and reputation. Watching him turn a small roofing business into a trusted general contracting company taught me the value of resilience, quality, and relationships. My mother, Gabriela Casas, owned her own massage therapy business for over ten years, showing me what it means to serve others with care and consistency. Together, they taught me that entrepreneurship is not just about building a business—it’s about building a life of purpose and integrity.
What is your long-term goal with your startup? I want to become Houston’s leading minority- and woman-owned general contractor—executing commercial projects across Texas, training 500+ individuals through Second Blessing, and developing a multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio that builds both community wealth and opportunity.
How has your local startup ecosystem contributed to your venture’s development and success?
The University of Houston’s Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship and NAWIC Houston Chapter have been key to our growth. Mentorship from industry leaders and access to UH’s entrepreneurial network gave us the confidence, community, and capital to expand beyond residential roofing into commercial contracting.
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