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BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN
THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY AND THE BUSINESS WORLD. 
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OUR MISSIONThe Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will lead the efforts that strengthen and support small, minority and women-owned business; stimulate and advocate for business growth, development, and opportunities; promote educational excellence; and promote awareness and preservation of the Hispanic heritage. |
OUR VISIONThe Del Rio Community values the contributions of small business, diversity and excellence in education. The Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic, resourceful organization dedicated to improving the commercial climate, promoting a planned economic community, tourism development, and International trade in order to make Del Rio a better place to live, work and play. |
Joe J. Cruz - Community Engagement Officer - Border Federal Credit Union
Joe J. Cruz
Are you ready to be an Entrepreneur?
Small business owners are born, not made. It takes a certain breed to own a small business. A fearless and passionate entrepreneur ready to take on the world with a vision, an idea he or she feels is needed by a certain group of people. So what identifies a person as a small business owner? What motivates them to do what they do in order to run a successful business? If you feel you might be a person that has entrepreneurship written all over, here are a few ideas that might help you become that small business owner you’ve always wanted to be.
Be fearless
Most of the small business owners I have spoken with usually say that uncertainty was holding them back from opening their own business. A local entrepreneur who owns a local coffee shop once said “You will never be 100% ready to open your business.” In other words, we sometimes tend to focus on that “why not” instead of analyzing the many reason why we should go into business.
Stay focused
Keep your vision and the goals of your business in sync. Do not second guess yourself if you know that your product or service is something good that people will likely continue to buy or need.
Have a good marketing plan
I have been working for more than 10 years with small business owners and the ones that typically succeed are the ones that are good at marketing. We live in a virtual world now that makes selling your idea much easier. Take advantage of what social media has to offer and develop a good sales approach for your product. Keep in mind and ask yourself, Is my business selfie ready? Remember that a large number of your clients will end up selling your idea or product to their peers via a picture or image on their social media feed. Make your business or service appealing to the eye. At the end a picture is worth a thousand words. If you feel social media is not your thing, there are digital creators or social media marketers that can help you manage your social media sales.
Be prepared and be informed
There are many resource available for small business owners or potential small business owners. One of them is the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Small Business Development Centers provide management and technical assistance to current and prospective small businesses.
Another place that is a great resource is your local chambers of commerce. Other places you can reach out to for help is your local economic development office (usually city funded), your local CVB, or you also check to see if your city has a Main Street Program. Main Street Programs focus on downtown revitalization.
These are just some of the basics. Of course there is more information out there that you can ever imagine. If you are thinking of opening up a business, do it. Be confident, trust your product, but also be prepared and informed so that you can be the owner of a very successful business for many years to come.
I am Joe John Cruz, currently the Community Engagement Officer for Border Federal Credit Union. I started my career in finance and lending in 1999 with Wells Fargo. Shortly after, I worked as a Branch Manager for Border Federal Credit Union and Falcon Bank thereafter. In 2012 I was hired by the City of Eagle Pass as the Main Street Manager and was responsible for the revitalization of downtown.
I currently serves as a board member for the Pecos Heritage Trail, the Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Eagle Pass Digital Arts Society. I feel Del Rio has a lot to offer and I enjoy being part of a great financial institution that for many years has been part of the Del Rio Community. I also enjoy playing with a country music band and I am a big supporter of small business and community events.
I believe everyone is entitled to a good quality of life. As citizens, we should all play a role to make our cities a better place to live in.
Small business owners are born, not made. It takes a certain breed to own a small business. A fearless and passionate entrepreneur ready to take on the world with a vision, an idea he or she feels is needed by a certain group of people. So what identifies a person as a small business owner? What motivates them to do what they do in order to run a successful business? If you feel you might be a person that has entrepreneurship written all over, here are a few ideas that might help you become that small business owner you’ve always wanted to be.
Be fearless
Most of the small business owners I have spoken with usually say that uncertainty was holding them back from opening their own business. A local entrepreneur who owns a local coffee shop once said “You will never be 100% ready to open your business.” In other words, we sometimes tend to focus on that “why not” instead of analyzing the many reason why we should go into business.
Stay focused
Keep your vision and the goals of your business in sync. Do not second guess yourself if you know that your product or service is something good that people will likely continue to buy or need.
Have a good marketing plan
I have been working for more than 10 years with small business owners and the ones that typically succeed are the ones that are good at marketing. We live in a virtual world now that makes selling your idea much easier. Take advantage of what social media has to offer and develop a good sales approach for your product. Keep in mind and ask yourself, Is my business selfie ready? Remember that a large number of your clients will end up selling your idea or product to their peers via a picture or image on their social media feed. Make your business or service appealing to the eye. At the end a picture is worth a thousand words. If you feel social media is not your thing, there are digital creators or social media marketers that can help you manage your social media sales.
Be prepared and be informed
There are many resource available for small business owners or potential small business owners. One of them is the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Small Business Development Centers provide management and technical assistance to current and prospective small businesses.
Another place that is a great resource is your local chambers of commerce. Other places you can reach out to for help is your local economic development office (usually city funded), your local CVB, or you also check to see if your city has a Main Street Program. Main Street Programs focus on downtown revitalization.
These are just some of the basics. Of course there is more information out there that you can ever imagine. If you are thinking of opening up a business, do it. Be confident, trust your product, but also be prepared and informed so that you can be the owner of a very successful business for many years to come.
I am Joe John Cruz, currently the Community Engagement Officer for Border Federal Credit Union. I started my career in finance and lending in 1999 with Wells Fargo. Shortly after, I worked as a Branch Manager for Border Federal Credit Union and Falcon Bank thereafter. In 2012 I was hired by the City of Eagle Pass as the Main Street Manager and was responsible for the revitalization of downtown.
I currently serves as a board member for the Pecos Heritage Trail, the Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Eagle Pass Digital Arts Society. I feel Del Rio has a lot to offer and I enjoy being part of a great financial institution that for many years has been part of the Del Rio Community. I also enjoy playing with a country music band and I am a big supporter of small business and community events.
I believe everyone is entitled to a good quality of life. As citizens, we should all play a role to make our cities a better place to live in.
2023 DRHCC annual awards
Winners of the 2023 DRHCC Annual Business Awards! We would like to congratulate all individuals and institutions for their hard work and dedication while representing our community. A special thanks to our main sponsor Gilbert Mercado of Money Concepts for the breakfast network.
DRHCC in the news
new drhcc members - real estate solutions
boom finance - one year anniversary
DRHCC MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
- Electronic Media Promotion—website, Facebook, and Instagram to promote your business events. We’ll even create your event flyer at no additional charge. You just have to send us the information and we’ll have it done for you!
- Company listing in online & printed directory.
- Marketing & Community opportunities.
- Tourism and Convention Promotion.
- Ribbon Cuttings, Ground Breaking, Breakfast Network, and Special Events.
- Monthly Newsletters: You will receive a copy every month and with this the opportunity to be a sponsor in our business spotlight (Please see the attached information)
- Texas Association of Mexican American Chamber of Commerce - access to TAMACC resources.
NEWSLETTER PROMOTION
In our monthly Newsletter edition, you have the opportunity to promote
your business with our Sponsorship Options in our section: “Business spotlight”
your business with our Sponsorship Options in our section: “Business spotlight”
