Texas Border Business
HARLINGEN, Texas – Angela Burton, district director for the SBA’s Lower Rio Grande Valley District, announced the 2023 District Small Business Week awardees for five small business categories.
“It is with great honor we congratulate Arely Lugo, Beautiful Beginnings Child Care Learning Center, LLC as the Lower Rio Grande Valley District’s Small Business Person of the Year,” Burton stated.
Arely Lugo, a single mother of four from Brownsville, Texas, worked her way up to become the director of a local childcare learning center. Despite her success in childcare, Lugo opened a jewelry store called MaddAbbie’s, sparking an entrepreneurial fire. In 2015, using her childcare and business experience she successfully launched Beautiful Beginnings Child Care Learning Center. Despite challenges, including divorce and the COVID-19 pandemic, Lugo launched a second location in 2021.
The SBA Small Business Person of the Year award – part of National Small Business Week April 30-May 6, 2023 – recognizes small business owners who demonstrate staying power and substantiated history as an established business with at least three years of business operation. Winners must also show growth in net worth and business expansion, increase in jobs and sales, innovativeness of products or services, response to adversity, and contributions to community-oriented projects.Â
“National Small Business Week presents an opportunity to appreciate the significance of small businesses and acknowledge entrepreneurs who play a vital role in finding solutions, generating employment opportunities, and enhancing the development and prosperity of the region, Angela R. Burton, district director, Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office said. Â
2023 National Award Categories
Small Business Person of the Year
Arely Lugo, Beautiful Beginnings Child Care Learning Center, LLC, Brownsville, Texas, Self-Nominated
2023 District Director Awards
Minority Owned Small Business of the Year
Southside Paint and Body, Jesus Trevino Villarreal, Corpus Christi, Texas, nominated by Victoria Pannone, Rural Business Advisor, Del Mar College Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
Rural Owned Small Business of the Year
E&O Home Health Care Inc. dba Uresti Senior Assistance, Gilberto Uresti, Kingsville, Texas, nominated by Celia Garza, Rural Business Advisor, Del Mar College Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year
Valley K-9 Detection Services, LLC, Daniel R. Villarreal, San Juan, Texas, Self-Nominated
Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year
CCTA Investments LLC dba CCC Services, Claudia Selene Muñoz, Edinburg, Texas, nominated by Cristina Cantu, Business Advisor, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Small Business Development Center (UTRGV-SBDC)Â
Since 1963, the President has issued a proclamation calling for a National Small Business Week celebration. SBA recognizes outstanding small business owners for their successes and contributions to our nation. For more information about National Small Business Week, visit www.sba.gov/nsbw.
Read more about the SBA Administrator Guzman Announcement of 2023 State Small Business Persons of the Year
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
