The U.S. Small Business Administration has a strong history of helping millions of people reach their goals of business ownership, supporting their families, and making a difference in their communities. It is an honor for me to be appointed by President Joe Biden to serve as the Regional Administrator for SBA’s Region 10, which includes Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Idaho.

Over the past 20 years, I’ve been a client and a partner with the SBA and have witnessed firsthand the vital and impressive work that this agency does. It is truly humbling to have the opportunity to serve entrepreneurs and be a part of having an impact on their lives. My motivation and mission in life are centered around serving people and I take this responsibility seriously.

My entrepreneurial journey began in Mexico with selling candy… when I was only eight years old. The spark of small business ownership quickly ignited into a burning passion that has been a part of me ever since.

When I moved to Seattle from Mexico in 2003, I started my jewelry business with just $250 and an ITIN number. At that time, I was undocumented but that didn’t stop me from pursuing my dreams. With the support of my amazing team and the incredible people who believed in my vision, we were able to grow our business. We opened multiple stores, participated in festivals across the region, and had the opportunity to experience what success truly means to me – being able to pay the bills and build wealth through my business. ¡Si se puede!

Due to the success of my business in addition to assisting non-profit organizations, I was able to continue my personal growth and contribute to the community. This included running for Seattle City Council as well as being appointed to Washington State’s LGBTQ+ The Langston May 2024Commission, collaborating with the Mexican Consulate in Seattle, and serving on numerous boards of directors and trustees such as the Greater Seattle Business Association and Cedarmere Foundation, which provides grants to organizations led by BIPOC.

Although my specific experiences are unique, the dream of business ownership and the determination of entrepreneurs is widespread throughout the country. For example, nearly 650,000 friends and neighbors in Washington are small business owners. They employ almost half of the state’s workforce while pumping money into our economy and energy into our communities. According to Pew Research, one in five Black Americans believe that owning a business is the key to financial success. In addition, six in ten believe that supporting Black owned businesses is an extremely or very effective strategy for gaining movement toward equality in the U.S.

The SBA is committed to lifting up those who have historically be underserved and this is also a passion of mine. I strongly believe in meeting people where they are, which is one of the reasons I’m building on my track record of collaboration and partnership by engaging with Tabor 100. Tabor 100’s commitment to economic empowerment, educational excellence, and social equity for African Americans and our community aligns with both the SBA’s mission and my personal values.

In addition, Ollie Garrett and I have collaborated in the past and are now building upon our relationship and previous work.

I am committed to continuing our region’s efforts to dedicate 50% of our outreach to underserved communities and connecting them to SBA resources. I also intend to take it to the next level by creating meaningful connections that will support the SBA ecosystem in serving these communities.

As an entrepreneur, immigrant, and former small business owner, I have personally faced the challenges of navigating the system. I understand the struggles that small businesses go through and I am eager to use my experience to support and improve the services provided by the SBA.

Representation matters, and I am committed to ensuring that the voices of small business owners, especially those from diverse backgrounds, are heard and valued. I look forward to serving the creative, inspirational, and resilient entrepreneurs of the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

For more information on how the SBA can assist your small business to start, grow, or expand, please visit www.sba.gov. The Spanish language website is www.sba.gov/es.