TAMIU SBDC to Honor Local Entrepreneurs as 2019 Small Business Champions Jan. 8
A total of nine successful Laredo entrepreneurs who serve as advocates for small businesses and for the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Small Business Development Center will be recognized at a special reception at TAMIU Tuesday, Jan. 8.
The “2019 Small Business Champions” reception will be held at the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library Great Room. Besides the honorees, attending the event will be dignitaries and representatives from TAMIU, Laredo College, local banks, and small businesses.
The 2019 Small Business Champions honorees and their businesses are:
Erika Valdez, Climb at Rio
Luis Valdez, Elite Employment Services
Elieser Jasso, Food4You
Willams Calderón, The Happy Hour Bar
Ben Lohmer, Lohmer Commercial Services
Gabriela Fernández, Lolita’s Bistro
Patricia Mendiola, Aquademy Swim School
Carlos Fuentes, Time Square Optical
Bernadette Galván, Rock Fitness Center
The TAMIU SBDC Small Business Champions event recognizes small business success and small business advocacy, explained Michael González, TAMIU SBDC director. It honors local small business owners who go beyond the successful operation of their businesses to contribute to the growth of local small business, the community, and as a result, the local economy, he added.
“We are pleased to honor this group of small business owners as our 2019 Small Business Champions,” González said, “Each of these individuals and companies have significantly contributed to the growth of the entire economy through their efforts to advocate for the TAMIU SBDC, the local small business community, and various organizations that benefit the entire community. We consider these Small Business Champions to be some of the strongest advocates for our organization.”
He continued, “At the TAMIU SBDC, we understand that small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, accounting for 98% of all net new jobs in our State, and we are honored to highlight those small businesses that contribute in a significant way to our continued growth.”
Since 2011, the TAMIU SBDC has assisted a total of 4,426 new clients and provided 20,753 counseling hours to new and existing businesses. In 2017, alone, more than 29,000 businesses in the region were served.
For more information, please contact González at 956.326.2827, email michael.gonzalez@tamiu.edu, or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 321.
The Spring Semester 2019 at TAMIU begins Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. Online registration is underway at tamiu.edu.
For more information on TAMIU, contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services, email prmis@tamiu.edu, or visit the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.
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