Texas Border Business
By Angela R Burton, District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration – Lower Rio Grande Valley
As I think about National Small Business Week, I find myself reflecting not only on the awards presented but also on the people behind them—the entrepreneurs whose journeys remind us why this work matters.
Across our district, we gathered to celebrate excellence across a range of categories, including Small Business Person of the Year, Veteran-Owned, Woman-Owned, Rural, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and more. Each award represents more than business success; it reflects resilience, sacrifice, and an unwavering belief in possibility.
What moves me most each year is not simply the recognition—it is the moment each awardee steps forward to speak.
You can hear it in their voices and see it in their eyes.
Gratitude. Humility. Pride.
Many speak of long nights, uncertain beginnings, and the risks they took when success was far from certain. Some reflect on the employees who stood beside them, while others thank their families, who believed in them before anyone else did. Almost all share a common thread: they didn’t do it alone.
These are not just business owners—they are job creators, community builders, and problem solvers. They are the backbone of our local economy and the heartbeat of our neighborhoods.
At the U.S. Small Business Administration, we often talk about programs—access to capital, contracting opportunities, counseling, and disaster recovery. These tools are critical and help open doors. But this week is a powerful reminder that behind every approved loan, every granted certification, and every delivered training, a human story unfolds.
A dream becoming a reality.
A setback turning into a comeback.
A small idea growing into something that supports families and strengthens communities.
In the Lower Rio Grande Valley District and beyond, small businesses are not just participating in the economy—they are driving it. They are innovating in manufacturing, serving their communities through essential services, and expanding into new markets with determination and grit.
As District Director, it is an honor to witness these journeys up close. It is a privilege to stand beside these entrepreneurs not only during times of celebration but also during moments of challenge—whether navigating economic uncertainty or recovering from disaster.
National Small Business Week has ended, but our commitment does not end here.
We will continue to show up.
We will continue to listen.
And we will continue to ensure that every small business owner—no matter where they are or where they started—has access to the resources and support they need to succeed.
To this year’s award winners: thank you. Your stories inspire us. Your leadership strengthens us. Your words remind us all of what is possible when courage meets opportunity.
And to every small-business owner still building, still striving, and still believing—this week is for you, too.
The true spirit of small business isn’t found in the awards themselves.
It’s found in the journey.
2026 Small Business Week Award Winners
District Award Categories
Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
Erica Ortega, Heavenly Angels Christian Daycare, Harlingen, Texas, nominated by Orlando Campos, Harlingen Economic Development Corporation
Home-Based Business of the Year
Luis (Lou) Castro, TXQ Rubs, Brownsville, Texas, nominated by Linda Ufland, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center
Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year
Gilbert Perez, Fresh Coat Painters of McAllen, Mission, Texas, nominated by Juan David Medrano, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC)
Women-Owned Small Business of the Year
Angelica Cardoza, Dance Time, LLC, Weslaco, Texas, nominated by The Economic Development Corporation of Weslaco
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Lorena Montiel, 956 Coffee Co, LLC, Brownsville, Texas, nominated by Linda Ufland, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center
National Small Business Week Award Categories
Blue Collar Small Business of the Year
David G. Navarro, Soil Tech Advance Inc., McAllen, Texas, nominated by Marcus Villagran, formerly with The University of Texas Rio Grande APEX Accelerator
Rural-Owned Small Business of the Year
Dr. Edward Borchard and Velma Borchard, Robstown Tots & Teens Pediatrics, Robstown, Texas, nominated by Celia Garza, Del Mar College Small Business Development Center
Small Business Manufacturer of the Year
Randi Laine Hamlyn, Indigo Laine & Co., Sinton, Texas, Victoria Pannone, Del Mar College Small Business Development Center
Small Business Person of the Year
Blanca Elina Perez, Amor Eterno Provider Service, LLC, Brownsville, Texas, nominated by Jose Oliver Serna
