Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
From South Texas College to owning a multi-million-dollar company that was recently recognized by Forbes, Joshua Moore credits the college for giving him the foundation he needed to a powerful career.
The 29-year-old is a 2022 graduate of STC, earning a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership, one of five bachelor’s degrees offered at the college.
“When I arrived at STC, I was lost and disappointed because my long-time dream of working with the FBI or CIA had just been ripped out from under me and my father had just passed away. Everything hit me hard,” said Moore. “It took me a full year to get back in the game of college and STC helped me make the transition.”
The Edinburg native, who now resides in Denton, said an old high school sports injury made him ineligible to serve a four-year term in the U.S. Army, a requirement set by both federal agencies, closing his chapter at Tarleton State University where he was studying Criminal Justice.
If not for his grandfather, George Garcia, an Information Technology instructor at STC whom he calls a great encourager and motivator, he said he would have never had a newfound dream.
“It took deep reflection to find what I was going to do next, but when my grandfather told me about STC’s bachelor’s degree in Organization Leadership because of my interest in becoming an entrepreneur; I knew immediately where I belonged,” he said.
Even though he was an online student, STC’s instructors, staff and his peers quickly turned the college into his new home. It gave him a community to belong to, he said.
“My grandfather knew what he was talking about when he said STC creates leaders, and it was the college I needed if I wanted to be a successful business owner,” said Moore. “STC teaches the imperative skills it takes to be a successful leader, and I’m proof.”
He added that the program and its instructors gave him a new perspective into what it means to be a leader, especially an empathetic one.
“There isn’t a one size fits all in leadership; everyone is different and responds and reacts uniquely and it’s our job as leaders to realize that and adjust,” he said. “STC taught me that, plus so many other things that I now apply to my work daily. STC fueled my confidence when it came to starting my own business.”
Now the successful owner of THS Home Solar, located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and serving the entire state, Moore installs at least 300 solar panel systems monthly, making roughly $4 million a month, a feat he never expected to be his reality.
It is this success that earned him a feature as a “Top 10” solar company in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, joining the ranks of other successful solar companies, and receiving a 4.7 out of 5 star ranking from the global media company that focuses on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership and lifestyle.
Prior to making his initial investment in himself, he worked for various other solar companies as a successful sales representative, taking his skills and experience to form his own company.
“Had someone told me I’d be here today; that I would be in Forbes, I would not have believed them,” said Moore. “I was supposed to be in the CIA or FBI, but there were other plans for me, and it’s been quite the journey, but it’s been worth it. It is surreal how everything has come together.”
Like a true entrepreneur, Moore continues to dream big with goals of growing his team of 30 installers and increasing the number of installs and amount earned.
“Everything starts with a first step, and STC is that first step,” he said. “At this college all they want is for you to succeed…they helped me grow into the person I needed to be to be successful. My grandfather and many at STC helped me see that everything is possible.”
For more information on STC’s Organizational Leadership bachelor’s degree program, visit southtexascollege.edu.
