Texas Border Business
| By Letty Fernandez, Rio Grande Valley – UTRGV graduate student Alejandra Jimenez had no idea she had been nominated for the 2021 Future Texas Business Legend Award given by the Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation – until she got online. “I went to the website to watch the announcement and I heard my name called as the recipient of the James and Kathleen Collins Future Texas Business Legend Award. I was speechless,” she said. “I am so blessed and honored to have been selected for this award.” The Foundation presents awards to students each year from participating Texas universities, through the Future Legends Scholar and Veteran Award Program. The mission is to “sow the seeds of our future” by helping future business leaders pursue degrees at Texas schools. “This award has a significant impact on who I am as a mother, leader and entrepreneur because I love being involved in any way possible at school, work and in my community,” Jimenez said. “It is fulfilling to know that I am making an impact in these areas. This award would not be possible without the support of my family, and I appreciate every single person who has had an impact on my growth throughout my career and education.” Jimenez, who is from Brownsville, currently is pursuing a master’s degree at UTRGV in business analytics. She also works as a full-time administrative assistant at H-E-B and is the owner of A&J Custom Creations. At UTRGV, Jimenez participated in the Adopt-a-Startup program where students adopt a real startup business, owned mostly by women, and assist local entrepreneurs and the business community by creating a sustainable business model. The program inspired her to create her crafting business. Dr. Sylvia Robles, assistant professor of Practice in the Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship, said Jimenez has the “inner power to achieve whatever she sets as a goal.” “She participated in the Adopt a Startup program to develop herself as a woman entrepreneur and started her own business a year later during the pandemic,” Robles said. “She is a true example of a young woman who realized that only having a bachelor’s degree and steady work was not enough. “We are extremely proud of Alejandra, and I am so happy to see that all her efforts have been recognized through this well-deserved Future Texas Business Legend award.” Jimenez will be presented with the award Oct. 28 at the Scholar and Veteran Award luncheon and Annual Induction dinner in Dallas. |
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