We recently connected with Carmen East and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Carmen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I lost my husband 7 years ago on the line of duty. He was a police officer for Texas Tech and was shot in the head after his shooter asked him if he had children. A year after his death I decided to start a foundation called Texas635 . This foundation has 3 missions: 1. Provide financial support to fallen officer families, 2. Create free and meaninful mental wellness programs for Law Enforcement and 3. Provide financial support to critically injured Officers with life changing injuries. we are now 6 years old a non-profit working to safe the lifes of the ones that protect us every day. My husband always liked gathering or to go to peoples milestone events, my husband never drank but loved to see peopl talking and having a good time. He always told me and sketched an event venue that he said we would open once he retired. After his death I opened the venue just like he said he would sketch it. The Barn Venue has been open now for 4 years and still going strong. I definintely know my late husband is there with me enjoying every event. We also use the space for fundraising for the foundation and for some of the mental wellness program meetings.

Www. texas635.com

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I come from an Enterpreneur Family and at a very young age learned the value of a customer. How to make their interest personal and provide them with solutions. I attend to the middle class families. Those that can’t afford thousands of dollars for a party but can have a beautiful, intimate and fun event with all the ameneties.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

My career was in computers. I was a computer major and worked in many different companies, medical, steel industry, non-profit and logistics. Once covid hit I decided it was time to go I quit my job and worked hard and getting my business going.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I put the initial captial by asking my daughters for their monthly pension from their father and I would give them each my pension from their father my husband in return.

Contact Info:

• Website: www. epbarnvenue.com and www. texas635.com
• Facebook: The Barn Venue and Texas635 and carmen schunior east

Image Credits

Carmen East