On March 8th, Angela Burton, district director for the SBA’s Lower Rio Grande Valley District, announced the 2024 District Small Business Week awardees for eight small business categories.
“It is with great honor we congratulate Nicolas V. Soto, Jr., NVS Corporate Services, Inc., as the Lower Rio Grande Valley District’s Small Business Person of the Year,” Burton stated.
Soto launched NVS Corporate Services, Inc. in 2001 with a commitment to entrepreneurial success. NVS specializes in facility maintenance services, primarily focusing on janitorial services, maintaining operational mechanical systems, and ensuring clean, sanitized buildings and well-manicured grounds. NVS has reached nearly every state in over two decades of service, including Hawaii and American Samoa. With five offices in Texas and Indiana, their growth and expansion have led to a consistent increase in employees, driven by the company’s foray into new markets, contract acquisitions, and service diversification. As a successful graduate of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) program, NVS was honored as the 8(a) graduate of the year in 2019 by the Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office.
NVS Corporate Services Inc. is an 8(a) Business Development program graduate, HUBZones certified through SBA certification designations, a graduate of SBA’s Emerging Leaders Program, and a recipient of an Economic Injury Disaster Loan and an SBA 504 Loan. Daniela Sosa, Brownsville Development Fund of Texas, submitted the winning nomination.
“Our 2024 National Small Business Week award winners exemplify excellence, innovation, and commitment, and the SBA is proud to showcase their incredible achievements and impact on their communities and our economy,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Castillas Guzman.
The SBA Small Business Awards - part of National Small Business Week April 28-May 4, 2024 - 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 show growth in net worth and business expansion, increase jobs, and sales, inattentiveness of products or services, response to adversity, and contributions to community-oriented projects.
“Each year, National Small Business Week provides an opportunity to highlight the dedication and creativity of small business owners and entrepreneurs,” said Regional Administrator Mindy Brissey. “Small businesses play a vital role in creating thriving communities and boosting economic growth, and I am honored to recognize their entrepreneurial success.”
“National Small Business Week holds a special place in my heart,” expressed Angela R. Burton, District Director of the Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office. “I’m always thrilled to witness the excitement and pride in nominees when they receive the award news. It’s a fantastic opportunity to honor model entrepreneurs whose ventures enrich the growth and prosperity of our district.” Burton also acknowledges the nominators for their dedication to completing the nomination process.
In celebration of the winners, the Rio Grande Valley Partnership will host a recognition ceremony on Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at the Brownsville Event Center, 1 Events Center Blvd., Brownsville, Texas.
For more information about the ceremony and registration, contact Fernanda Sanchez at (956) 968-3141 or fernanda@rgvpartnership.com.
2024 National Award Categories
Small Business Person of the Year
Nicolas V. Soto, Jr., NVS Corporate Services, Inc., Brownsville, Texas, nominated by Brownville Development Fund of Texas, Executive Director Daniela Sosa
2024 District Director Awards
Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
Bill Bunton Auto Supply & Machine, Brian Bunton, Mercedes, Texas, nominated by Mercedes Economic Development Corporation, Executive Director Melissa Ramirez
Home-Based Business of the Year
Heavenly Clean, LLC, Rosa E. Estrada, McAllen, Texas, nominated by LiftFund, Market Director Marlene Rodriguez
Minority Owned Small Business of the Year
Trimad Consultants, LLC, Ricardo Salazar, Alamo, Texas, nominated by Trimad Consultants, Office Manager Trisha Salazar
Rural Owned Small Business of the Year
In Style Beauty Salon, Petra Garza, Rio Grande City, Texas, nominated by Starr County Industrial Foundation, Vice-President Nilda Elizondo.