In his days as a business school professor in Brownsville, John Martin had a key piece of advice for his students. “If you want to be a high salaried employee, leave the Valley, but if you want to be an entrepreneur, stay here,” Martin said. Martin is a member of the Rio Grande Valley Angel Network. The investor group provides seed money for aspiring entrepreneurs in return for equity in their…
Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Texas businesses and residents as a result of President Biden’s major disaster declaration. The declaration covers 77 Texas counties as a result of the severe winter storms that began on Feb. 11. Lower Rio Grande Valley District counties included in declaration are Aransas, Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces and San Patricio. “SBA is strongly committed to providing Texas with the most effective and customer-focused…
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting applications for its Innovation Grant Awards. The awards’ grant funding of $50,000 annually encourages product innovation and business creation in the McAllen area. Past winners have been able to take their idea from the drawing board to the marketplace due to the grants. An applicant may request up to $10,000 to establish, expand, develop or advance a new product/service idea. The new…
The expression “love what you do, and do what you love” is a powerful lesson. What is really satisfying is the enjoyment of our careers. Personal reward should be equivalent to earning a living. Does our job truly make us happy? It is truly important that teachers and counselors advise students to pursue an education toward a career best suited to their liking. By junior high, students are thinking of…
Annually, the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation sponsors two Kauffman FastTrac courses. The next session begins Feb. 2 via Zoom for this accelerated business course, led by the UTRGV Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center. The Harlingen EDC’s sponsorship gives up to 10 Harlingen-based entrepreneurs the opportunity to take this exclusive course at no cost. The course is at a value of more than $700 per participant. Course offerings are typically in the spring…
Courtesy of SBA: For small businesses across America, 2020 has been one of the most challenging years in history. Small business owners have been resilient, pivoting, and adapting their business models to navigate continually changing conditions. There are potential new opportunities to take advantage of and ways to adapt to challenges you may face. Here are business trends that are likely to dominate in 2021, along with tips to position…
For small businesses across the Lower Rio Grande Valley District, 2020 has been one of the most challenging years in history. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, small business owners have been resilient, pivoting and adapting their business models to navigate continually changing conditions. With the new year on the horizon, there are potential new opportunities to take advantage of and ways to adapt to challenges you may face. The holiday season…
Our most precious resource is the group of people who surround us on a nightly basis. As the calendar year closes, reflecting on what we have, where we are and where we want to be is an annual tradition but in many ways, none so meaningful as this year. Our families are truly blessed even with all the challenges we are experiencing. As we say goodbye to 2020 soon, our…
The Small Business Administration celebrates veteran-owned businesses across the country Nov. 2-6 with National Veterans Small Business Week. This is the seventh year the SBA offers entrepreneurial trainings and resources right in local communities to service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and military spouses. This year’s theme is #VetBiz Resources in Your Local Community, highlighting the breadth of free to low-cost entrepreneurial resource offerings right in veterans’ own…
How’s business? Is it any of my business? It absolutely is. As you know, for these 11-plus years, VBR has been and will continue to be a Rio Grande Valley pro-business advocate. All Texas businesses should be open! It is way past time for state and local restrictions keeping businesses closed and otherwise restricted from doing business at full capacity. Employers have bills to pay. Employees need paychecks for their…