Most people see the finished product–the business, the title, the growth. What’s less visible is the road that came before and the weight that comes with it. For this feature, a group of San Antonio business owners and professionals responded to a shared set of questions about leadership, work and family. While their answers differ, their priorities reflect a communal focus on community, hard work, and living a well-balanced life.
- Alfonso Bafidis III (Ponch)
CEO/Founder | Direct Rate & LEVEL Coaching
Ponch Bafidis grew up in a single-parent household where his mother worked three jobs to provide for him and his sisters. “I am proud to call myself a product of perseverance and faith,” he says. “Proof that the American Dream is still alive. We didn’t have much, but what we did have was grit, love, and a relentless example of sacrifice.” Today, Ponch leads Direct Rate and LEVEL Coaching, building businesses around growth and opportunity. Much of his work centers on creating systems that allow others to succeed, whether it’s mentoring employees, working with young athletes, or developing new ways for people to expand what they’re already doing. Through LEVEL, he’s introduced a model that gives real estate agents an additional income stream tied to the business they’re already generating. “I’ve always believed that taking care of people and putting others first is the foundation of true wealth,” he says.
That mindset extends beyond business. Family is central to what he builds–he prioritizes his wife and children and focuses on creating something lasting they can be proud of. “I’m quick to build people up and show them how important they are to this world.” He describes himself as 57 by age and 16 at heart, still carrying the same competitive energy that once led him to compete on American Gladiators.
2. Pastor Ed Newton
Lead Pastor | Community Bible Church
Pastor Ed’s story starts with responsibility. As the hearing child of two deaf parents, he grew up acting as a bridge–helping communicate, carrying weight early, and learning to pay attention in ways most children don’t. His mother, who was deaf and lived with cerebral palsy, showed up every day with a level of strength and consistency that left a lasting mark. “She is my hero,” he says.
Early on, he struggled in school, and hearing that he wasn’t “college material” left its mark. He experienced seasons of doubt and a feeling like he didn’t measure up. Those experiences paved the road he chose, “I notice people who feel unseen because I’ve felt that,” he says. That awareness translates into the passion for his profession and his leadership style today. At Community Bible Church, his focus is on what is real–people working through pain, rebuilding trust, and finding something to hold onto. “I want to see people healed, not just hyped up for a moment,” he says. He describes showing up well as being fully present, even when it interrupts what he thought the day would look like–choosing people over polish. “Showing up well is about faithfulness more than performance,” he says. “Right now, I’m working toward depth, in my own life and in our church. I want to live a life full of joy no matter the circumstances happening around me or with me. I’m not chasing momentum or visibility. I’m focused on lasting transformation; helping people experience real healing and build faith rooted in grace, not performance. What I’m working toward is not something bigger, it’s something truer. A faithful life, a healthy church, and a lasting impact that goes beyond moments.” At home, with his wife and kids, that same standard applies. What drives him comes down to consistency– a faith that holds up over time, on stage and off.
3. John Zambrano
Corporate Sales Manager, Johnson Bros. Bakery Supply
John Zambrano has spent more than 30 years in the bakery industry, working from the front counter to large-scale production and now national sales. Early on, he owned a Shipley’s Donuts franchise, opening before sunrise, earning customer loyalty one donut at a time. Later roles in manufacturing added a different kind of responsibility; consistency, scale and delivering for businesses that depend on you. Today, he focuses on building long-term relationships with operators across the country. “I’ve learned that real success doesn’t come from transactions; it comes from relationships, trust, and showing up when it matters most,” he says. “I’ve been married for 29 years, and together we’ve raised two incredible boys. They’ve been part of this journey every step of the way through the early mornings, the long days, and the many lessons learned along the road. Looking back, it’s been a great ride.”
4. Tony Aramburu
Director/Producer | Happy Machine Creative Video
For Tony Aramburu, showing up well comes down to preparation, presence, and accountability. Aramburu is the director and producer of Happy Machine, a local business that produces motion graphics, 3D animation, and video across platforms, building visual narratives for brands and companies. The core values that keep the gears in motion: do the homework before the meeting, be present and accountable, and always be 100% authentic. Outside the studio, he keeps things simple, golfing when he can and maintaining an interest in where new tools can push the work next.
5. Josh King
CEO | YNIS, Inc.
Josh King didn’t initially set out to become a business owner. Early on, he worked nights stocking shelves, took on a commission-only role, and carried the pressure of providing for a young family. Those years were spent building something steady enough to support the life he wanted. That sense of responsibility still drives how he leads today. “My focus now is creating an environment where others can reach their full potential,” he says. “I’ve worked hard to get to a place of comfort, and now I want to help others do the same.” Becoming a father at 22 gave his life purpose and direction. “Everything I do is defined by fatherhood,” he says. For King, showing up means being consistent and dependable–someone others can rely on when it matters. “When people look for a steady hand, they find mine already there.”
6. Randy Resendez
Congressional Staffer | U.S. House of Representatives
Randy Resendez works in an environment where people expect answers, often under pressure and on tight timelines. In his role serving constituents, much of the job comes down to staying focused on the person in front of him and helping move their situation forward. “Showing up well means leaving whatever you’re dealing with at the door and being fully present,” he says. That mindset extends beyond the office. Much of what matters to him centers on the people closest to him–family and friends–and finding ways to support them in their own goals. “If I can help them succeed in any way, that’s what brings me the most satisfaction,” he says.
7. Dr. Taj Ibrik
General Dentist & Owner | Dentists of Stone Oak & Orthodontics
www.dentistsofstoneoak.com
With two young sons at home and a busy dental practice to run, Dr. Taj Ibrik keeps his priorities close and his attention where it’s needed. Whether at home or at work, much of his day comes down to setting the right example. He approaches patient care the same way he would for his own family. “Active listening and focusing on what’s in front of you,” he says of how to show up well for the people around us. “Rather than being concerned about the past or the future, 120% focus on the here and now.”
The approach of unwavering attentiveness impacts how he runs his practice. The team recently closed out its strongest month to date, something Ibrik credits to the people around him more than anything else. To mark it, he brought in a massage therapist. “It was about taking care of my people,” he says. There’s also a side of Dr. Ibrik most patients wouldn’t expect: he’s been DJing for more than a decade. Even in a demanding schedule, it’s always important to make room for something fun outside the office.
8. Dr. Ramon Garza III
Plastic Surgeon | Dr. Garza Plastic Surgery
Whether Dr. Garza is at home or in the office, his focus stays the same– growth, and building a team grounded in compassion, attentiveness, positivity, consistency and preparation. Inside his practice, he has built a reputation in San Antonio as one of the few surgeons performing advanced microsurgical and reconstructive procedures. He holds himself to a high standard, always looking to improve–whether refining surgical outcomes or trying new techniques in the kitchen. A committed husband and father, he aims to model the kind of well-rounded life he encourages his patients to pursue. Despite his professional accomplishments, when asked what he is most proud of, he points to his family. “I am most proud of my wife for being a terrific mom to our children,” he says. “It’s exhausting work caring for a baby the way she does, but she is relentless in helping our children be as healthy as possible.”