Women and minorities are trumping the national average in small
business ownership, according to the most recent figures from the
U.S. Census Bureau
– and are making no less a showing locally.
Hollister – Women and minorities are trumping the national average in small business ownership, according to the most recent figures from the U.S. Census Bureau – and are making no less a showing locally.
Over the five-year period between 1997-2002, the number of women-owned businesses jumped 20 percent, for a total of 6.5 million U.S. businesses owned by women.
Among minority groups, Hispanics own the most businesses at 1.6 million, for a 31 percent increase over the same period.
Black Americans, however, experienced the greatest growth. The number of Black-owned business soared a staggering 45 percent to a total of 1.2 million. The total number of U.S. businesses grew 10 percent over this same period.
Embarking on a small business venture is difficult, time-consuming and often takes years to turn a profit, if ever. Not, in short, a task for the faint-hearted.
And while some businesses in downtown Hollister may be experiencing hard times, you couldn’t tell that from talking to Liz Parra-Gonzalez, who co-owns the clothing boutique Aponis with her mother, Gloria Parra.
“Business is great,” she said. “Better than even we expected.”
Next weekend will mark Aponis’ second month in Hollister. The duo operated a store by the same name in King City for over a year.
“King City was all right, but it wasn’t enough,” said Parra-Gonzalez. “It’s much better since we came into town. We live here, so not having that commute is a big plus.”
The world of business is nothing new to the Parra family. Gloria has run Art’s Tire Service on Fairview Road with her husband for years.
“About a year and a half ago I had a long talk with my mom,” Parra-Gonzales said. “She told me it was time for me to get involved with the business aspects of the family. She worked retail when she was younger, and it (opening a clothing store) was always something we had thrown on the table, until one day Mom said, ‘All right, let’s just do it.'”
“My daughter and I work together,’ said Parra. “She picks out the younger styles and I look for the older set. I’d always liked the retail business, but it took a lot of learning. Apparel is a whole other world from tires.”
Originally from El Paso, Texas, the Parra family moved to California to escape a less than stellar economy.
“I went to a high school that was 99 percent Mexican,” said Parra-Gonzalez. “They taught us to be stronger than everyone else, just to make it in the world. We grew up with a very rich culture. We’re proud of who we are and where we come from. I think I am successful because of that, and that’s how I raise my daughter, Jasmine.”
The Parra family claims Native American roots as well, although neither mother nor daughter knew with which tribe they were affiliated. The name of their shop, “Aponis,” means “butterfly,” although they did not know in which language.
“We’re fortunate to live in Hollister, because it’s such a melting pot,” Parra-Gonzalez said. “We haven’t been judged because we’re women or where we come from.
“I always say being Mexican and being a woman is two strikes against you,” Parra said. “But things really fell into place for us. If you have an instinct, or feel very strongly about something, you have to go for it. It can pay off.”
