By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
As originally published by Texas Border Business in its newsprint edition October 2013
Texas Border Business recently had the opportunity to meet with Danny Smith owner of Matt’s Building Materials in Pharr and San Benito.
The meeting became a refreshing course on how to conduct business and become successful. Ethics and moral principals play a major role as part of the ingredients, some other factors equally important take part of the equation as well. In this report, you will also meet Diana Smith, Danny’s wife for 32 years who plays an important part in Danny’s life.
You will also meet the next generation of lumberyard operators and responsible to serve future generations; I know that you will enjoy this story particularly.
We are also proud to bring to you a magnificent chef, a lady entrepreneur that is now managing multiple culinary schools in México and in Texas. She is Susana Garcia who started the business in her home 20 years ago in Tampico Tamaulipas.
Today, she is also an accomplished administrator that keeps growing her business leaps and bounds. This is also an inspiring story for everyone that wants to start a business, not necessarily from a retail location.
What a pleasant surprise to learn that the former Paris Gum Factory Building in McAllen will become a Texas Historical Marker and City Landmark Marker as well.
The story of the Paris Gum Factory starts with Andrew J. Paris (pictured surrounded with kids) who came to McAllen in the early 40’s from Detroit, Michigan.
The ceremony will take place at 609 Business Highway 83 on October 11, 2013, if you plan to be there make sure to say Hi! to me.
A BIH Thumbs Up to the Hidalgo County commissioners. Recently they adopted the 2014 County Budget also set the 2013 Hidalgo County Ad Valorem Tax Rate at $0.59 per $100 of taxable value; the County has kept taxes at the same rate for over ten years. Keep it going guys this is good work!
What a great idea! Valley banks got together to help consumers obtain affordable loans that keep borrowers from the grief of loan sharks making exorbitant, short-term loans to desperate individuals.
Again, a BIG Thumbs Up to the following banks: Lone Star National Bank, IBC Bank, Wells-Fargo Bank, Frost Bank, Chase Bank, Bank of America, BBVA-Compass Bank and National Community Impact Corporation of Washington, D.C.
On another business matter, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and ERO Architects are thrilled to provide local businesses the opportunity to be recognized as one of McAllen’s Top 5 Small Businesses. Texas Border Business, Edible Arrangements and FastSigns are sponsoring the event. The Top 5 Small Business Awards is held in honor of those businesses that have been the foundation for the economic prosperity and resilience, which McAllen has experienced over the last several years. Winning nominees will be known as the best of the best businesses in McAllen. Read the story to find more about it.
Make sure to glance through the pages of this Texas Border Edition, I know that you will like it.
Until then! TBB
