Dr. Gimotea Provides Pediatric Medical Care

In March 2004, Dr. Antonieta A. Gimotea accomplished the goal of establishing her own pediatric office.  Dr. Gimotea’s desire to practice her profession was a great determinant in her decision for developing Kids First Pediatrics. 

She understood that there were banks willing to facilitate funding for medical centers in the Rio Grande Valley, but she also knew that her own lack of business development skills could prove to be a great obstacle to securing a start-up loan or operating any type of business. Nevertheless, this was a challenge that Dr. Gimotea was willing to face in order to own and operate a pediatric medical center.

She started knew she wanted to be adequately prepared to start her business, to purchase the right equipment, and to choose the right location.  She gathered information, knowledge, and skills through seminars, conferences, and through research on Internet websites. She also contacted the Small Business Development Center, a component of CoSERVE, at The University of Texas-Pan American, where she received guidance in her business planning process.  

Finally, she was ready to start the business. Dr. Gimotea states, “If I were to start over, I would have done it the same, but a lot sooner.” Dr. Gimotea is confident about the services that Kids First Pediatrics provides to her patients. 

She concentrates her efforts on a simple concept: “Offer great, personal service, and clients will come!”  At Kids First Pediatrics, children and their parents enjoy a modern-medieval castle décor and experience great customer service.

Looking back on all the hard work and effort invested on the project, Dr. Gimotea states, “It has all been worth it; I feel that we are going to make it.” Dr. Gimotea is very happy with the amount of patients seen at the clinic and offers some words of advice for those who are keen on starting their own business: “It’s best to start working from the bottom up through research and learning. Put your self in the staff’s shoes, understand what they want to accomplish for a well-treated staff will appreciate the business.”

Kids First Pediatrics is located at the Advanced Medical Arts Plaza, on 1022 E. Griffith Parkway, Suite 105, in Mission. For further information on the services offered by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), please call (956) 292-7535.