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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to become acquainted with many wonderful business owners. Many have fascinating stories and backgrounds; however my visit with Noel Erasmus and his father, Lucas, is now at the top of my list for fascinating success stories.
Noel was only 10 years old when he and his family were forced out of their home at gunpoint. I had a lump in my throat and a trembling chin as Lucas recounted the frightening account of how the Erasmus family left their beautiful home and native country, Zimbabwe, with only a few possessions. It would take hours for me to retell their fight for citizenship in this country and the trials they endured.
However, the story has a great ending. In 1985, Lucas established a software company with applications for auto collision repair management and insurance claims processing. Noel worked with his father until 1997 when he started his own company called NewEra Software. After a few years, his father joined his team, and today the company is recognized for having the leading management system in the collision repair industry.
The iAutoFocus Collision Management software provides the ability to easily manage all aspects of collision repair for body shops of any size including scheduling, production, parts management, accounting and claim tracking. NewEra's WEBVIEW software allows repair shop customers and insurance adjusters to view the status of a repair or claim online anytime since the information is transferred automatically. It's a more professional way for body shops to stay on track and communicate with customers.
The Erasmus family endured much. They sacrificed their home and lifestyle in Zimbabwe and arrived in Utah with nothing but a dream for a better life. NewEra Software is a small part of that American dream where freedom and free enterprise is always appreciated.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
