In Style Beauty Salon has been recognized as the Rural Owned Small Business of the Year 2024 by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office.
The National Small Business Week Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, is an annual event that celebrates the contributions of small businesses to the U.S. economy. This year’s event was held at the Brownsville Event Center in Brownsville, Texas.
Nominated by Nilda Elizondo, Vice-President of the Starr County Industrial Foundation, In Style Beauty Salon, is part of Rio Grande City’s vibrant community of over 600 small businesses. The recognition of In Style is part of the SBA’s effort to showcase top performers in the small business space and ensure equity and access to opportunities for small businesses across the Rio Grande Valley.
Petra Garza, owner of In Style Beauty Salon expressed deep honor at receiving the award. “I accept this award with great pride. I dedicate this to my parents who encouraged me to become a businesswoman and sacrificed a lot to emigrate to the United States. I want to thank my sisters, my husband, and my son. I also want to acknowledge my mentor and teacher, Ruth Salinas, who is here with us today.”
In 1985, Hermenegildo Lopez Olivarez and Maria Cruz Lopez moved their family from Comales, Tamaulipas, Mexico to Rio Grande City. They instilled in their children; Nena, Geronimo, Mirtha, Rosa, Castulina, Petra, and Gema, a strong work ethic, perseverance, and love of family. This would influence Petra Garza as she pursued a trade in cosmetology enabling her to become a businesswoman at the young age of 23.
Because of strict criteria, a multitude of applicants, and limited class size, Petra was initially unsuccessful in getting into Rio Grande City High School’s cosmetology program. Yet her determination and persistence persuaded her teachers to let her join. In June of 1990, all her knowledge and skills were tested as she traveled to Austin to take the state board license exam, which consisted of a 100-question written exam and a practical requiring a live model. Her mother was more than happy to volunteer for the job. Petra passed the exam on the first try.
After graduation, she started working for Juanita Gonzalez, owner of Hair Palace. Then, she worked for Gloria Garza at Ultimate Hair Designs. She helped her mentor and instructor, Ruth Salinas, who owned New Image in Alto Bonito, Texas and after that, she worked under Elvia Escobedo of Elvia's Beauty Salon.
Along the way, she met her husband, Honorio Garza Jr., while working at Hair Palace. He was a regular customer of Juanita's. They got engaged on April 18, 1993.
On September 18, 1993, Petra opened her own business. They married on December 18, 1993. She would say the number 18 has a special significance in her life. After 30 years, with the continuous love and support of her family, Petra and her salon are still going strong in Rio Grande City.
In Style Beauty Salon’s award is a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit that thrives within Rio Grande City and a recognition of the vital role small businesses play in powering the nation’s economy.