KILLEEN, Texas (KXXV) – Agnes Slaughter suddenly and unexpectedly lost her vision. But she defied all odds and opened her own small business that provides for the needs of her community.
- Agnes’ loss of vision led her and her family to start a vending machine business.
- Agnes and her husband partnered with the city of Killeen and now own nearly 30 vending machines.
- The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce also helps make their business more profitable
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
“I opened my eyes and I thought it was dark, I thought it was just dark outside,” said Agnes Slaughter, a small business owner.
But it wasn’t, it was daylight. What Slaughter discovered next would change her life – causing her to push herself to become a business owner.
“So my blood pressure and my diabetes caused me to lose my vision,” Slaughter said.
Agnes and her husband, Alvin West, spent the next four years seeing doctors and having surgeries. Her self-esteem began to decline, so her sister and her husband stepped in to help her reintegrate into society.
Their mission was to make her independent again.
“I just wanted to stay inside. I almost gave up. I just asked God, “Please don’t let me give up” and God wouldn’t let me give up. We started thinking about ways to help me come back and face my new normal,” Slaughter said.
Slaughter and West opened a vending machine business. They partnered with the city of Killeen and now have nearly 30 vending machines.
The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce is also helping Slaughter and West achieve more success.
“The first step is to determine how our members can be useful to this particular business to meet these specific needs. What will it take for them to be profitable,” said Scott Connell, president and CEO of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce.
Slaughter said they start filling their vending machines nice and early. Meanwhile, West fills the vending machines. It’s something they’ve both said that gives them a sense of pride.
“I feel like I’m working and doing things for myself, and it’s great. It’s so much better,” Slaughter said.
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