They came from two different walks of life – the cook and retail store manager – and in a Brownsville kitchen during an Easter break, they mapped out the beginnings of a business plan. It was 2010 when Bobby Saenz, with years of retailing management experience, approached Daniel Pompa, a graduate of a culinary school, and made a pitch. “I had a vision of a restaurant – burgers, wings, country…
With a dream of becoming a fashion designer, Ida Rodriguez started out designing and sewing her own clothes. Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley town of Alton, she was one of a family of seven with a father who was the sole provider, and a strict patriarch. In her early 20s she had an opportunity to attend fashion design school in Dallas, but her father said no; she needed…
Three thousand gallons of beer is kept at a temperature of 36-38 degrees in a glass-enclosed keg storage area that can be viewed from inside La Plaza Mall in McAllen. With some 130 beers on tap, the recently opened Yard House boasts the largest assortment of draft beer in the city. The cold beer is delivered to the establishment’s centerpiece, an island bar lined with colorful taps, through more than…
Three successful McAllen businesswomen will receive honors Dec. 4 at the Legendary Businesswomen’s Luncheon. The event will celebrate Kay Jancik, Betty Garza and Sylvia Johnson, who will also discuss their journeys of success. Honorees Jancik, owner of Oh Kay’s gift shop; Garza, owner of Coldwell Banker La Mansion Real Estate; and Johnson, owner of Sylvia’s, will each be interviewed about their experiences as they developed their business careers. “This will be…
The federal government’s goal is to award at least five percent of all federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses each year. At this workshop, learn about the Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) and the Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Program, the benefits of being an Women-Owned Small Business certified firm, and if you qualify for the WOSB or EDWOSB program. In addition, learn about the WOSB’s application…
More than $500 billion of government prime contracts are awarded to small businesses each year. To help provide a level playing field for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people or entities, the government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the 8(a) Business Development program. At this workshop, participants will learn about the 8(a) Business Development Program, the benefits of being an 8(a) certified…
Dr. Jose L. Cazares of McAllen Dental Associates is the 2018 Texas Dentist of the Year. The recognition comes from Commissioners Court during the Texas Academy Awards celebration in Austin. Cazares is the first dentist from the Rio Grande Valley to receive the award, the most prestigious honor a Texas dentist can receive. “I want to thank Commissioners Court for recognizing me, and for being pillars in the community,” said Cazares. “I’m proud to represent…
The future economics between the United States and Mexico will be very interesting. All eyes will be on future trade relations, especially after Dec. 1 due to incoming president Andres Manuel Lopez. With current rocky trade relations between the United States and China, Mexico has plenty to gain under the new NAFTA terms. On Nov. 9, Duncan Wood, director of the Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute, spoke at the McAllen Performing…
The “Export Basics: Export Readiness for Small Businesses” session is designed for small business owners interested in growth through exporting. Topics covered include: reasons to export; common exporter mistakes; an export readiness checklist; and global trade resources. The session is hosted by the UTRGV SBDC and RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. There is no fee but pre-registration is required. To register for this workshop or for more information, call the…
South Texas Health System Heart (McAllen Heart Hospital) is one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery as well as America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care according to a national study by Healthgrades. Every year, Healthgrades evaluates hospital performance at almost 4,500 hospitals nationwide for 32 of the most common inpatient procedures and conditions. The accolades comes from Healthgrades 2019 Report to the Nation. The report demonstrates how clinical performance…