8/23 SAHCC Small Business Awards Luncheon
Thank you everyone for joining us at the Embassy Suites by Hilton at Brooks City Base for our Business Awards Luncheon where we featured and recognized 5 exemplary individuals and businesses in San Antonio for their achievements throughout their career.
Scroll Below to View our 2023 Award Honorees, or click below to view photos from the event!
Award Honorees

Innovator of the Year:
Yves Vazquez
CEO, Valiant-X Enterprise Corporation
As CEO of Valiant-X Enterprise, Yves is responsible for providing strategic leadership, managing the organization's overall operations, and ensuring that the company achieves its goals.
The Innovator of the Year Award recognizes an individual who displays an Entrepreneurial spirit in technological excellence and advancement to deliver innovative solutions to our community.

Start-up OF THE YEAR:
Andrea Rodriguez
Owner and Chief Product Officer, Olla Express Cafe
Passionate Mexican Woman, former IT Software Engineer by profession and dedicated to coffee by election, she created a company called Olla express cafe in 2017, using her own nostalgia and homesickness craving for cafe de olla.
The Start-up of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has started a new business in San Antonio that has shown exponential growth and innovation within our city and community.

Small business OF THE YEAR:
Frank & Ramiro Jimenez
Co-Owners, Panaderia Jimenez
Panaderia Jimenez was established in 1968 in both Lubbock and Eagle Pass, Texas. In October 2018 the family business expanded in San Antonio. This bakery is well known for their San Antonio Pan De Dulce.
The Small Business of the Year Award recognizes an individual who is leading a successful company, contributes to the economic development of the community, and is highly respected within their industry.

Family Excellence in Business:
La Familia Cortez Restaurants
The Family Excellence in Business Award recognizes a family based business or legacy within the community.

Lifetime achievement award:
Joe Pena
Market President, Frost Bank
Joe Peña is a Market President at Frost Bank, a 150-year-old financial institution established in San Antonio, Texas. Joe is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he received his BBA in Accounting.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has made significant and consistent contributions to our community over the course of their career within the non-profit, corporate, government, or small business sectors.
Award Nominees

Vanessa Alonso
CEO, Alonso & Alonso Attorneys at Law

Andrew Anguiano
Co-Founder and CEO, Southside Craft Soda

Mariam Bah
Owner, Pure Aloha Bath & Beauty

Anthony Carrasco
Owner, Bellissima Laser Hair Removal
C. LeRoy Cavazos
Founder & CEO, Localism Inc.

James Chandler
CTO, IMG Studio

Estella Garcia-Perez
COO, Fairway Landscape & Nursery Inc

Roland Gonzales
Owner, Roland's Roofing

Salena Guipzot
Owner /Founder, Casa Guipzot

Raquel Hernandez
Owner, Charcuterie By Raquel

Lucinda Leal
President, Labor on Demand

Daniel Mezza
Founder & CEO, Puro Nitro Coffee

Eliana Mijangos-Brown
CEO and Founder, GEM (Growth, Equity, Marketing) Strategy
Manuel Oblitas
Managing Partner, VND

Parra & Co

Sofia Renteria
Owner, Plantaqueria

Carmen Tellez
Owner, Dewy Skin Studio
Thank You Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor:

Gold Sponsor:

Silver Sponsor:

Bronze Sponsor:

