Victoria Hosts Resource Fair for Small Businesses

Victoria, Texas just gave its small business owners something they desperately needed: a room full of solutions and a reminder they're not alone.

The city hosted a Small Business Resource Fair at Texas A&M University-Victoria on Thursday, connecting entrepreneurs with banking, marketing, human resources, and business development experts all under one roof. The timing couldn't be better, as several local businesses have recently closed their doors amid economic pressures.

Sara Vela knows those pressures firsthand. The owner of Vela Farms and founder of Shop Twice Victoria, a website promoting local businesses, previously considered closing her restaurant due to financial struggles. She walked into the fair carrying the weight that many small business owners feel.

"Every business goes through different seasons," Vela said. The fair reminded her that building relationships with support organizations before you need them can make all the difference when tough times hit.

Mayor Duane Crocker moderated a panel featuring local success stories that weren't always so successful. Casey Houseworth, who now runs three family businesses including Rapid Printing, Budget Blinds, and a UPS Store, shared how Rapid Printing nearly failed in its early years. His family was ready to shut it down completely.

They didn't give up, and today all three businesses thrive. Erica Briggs told a similar story of growth, building ParaVida Wellness from her living room into an established health coaching company.

Lindsay Young from the Small Business Development Center explained that her organization provides free consulting and resources using state and federal grants. Jeff Lyons from the Victoria Chamber of Commerce noted that 68% of their members employ fewer than 25 people, proving small businesses form the backbone of Victoria's economy.

The Ripple Effect

When Victoria invests in keeping its small businesses alive, the entire community wins. These aren't just stores and restaurants. They're jobs for neighbors, services for families, and the character that makes Victoria feel like home instead of anywhere else.

The resource fair represents a shift in how cities support entrepreneurs: meeting them where they are, connecting the dots between challenges and solutions, and proving that local government sees small business success as community success.

Victoria's approach shows other cities a simple truth: sometimes the best economic development strategy is just making sure business owners know help exists and how to find it.