The Better Price Relocates

The Better Price gets better! The general merchandise store has been growing by leaps and bounds since its inception last year and recently (2004) relocated within the Palm Plaza in Weslaco.

The store provides the latest products in kitchen décor and is owned by sisters-in-law Maria and Juanita Valdez.  The business concept took shape when Maria lost her job with a clothing manufacturing company and could not find a job that would utilize her skills.

 “Caminando en las mañanas, hablábamos del negocio, del inventario, del local,” Maria recalls. Their formal and informal business planning sessions developed during their morning walks, long before opening the doors to their new business. Having chosen their business type, Juanita and Maria targeted various locations and did not give up until they found the right one.

To solidify their business ideas, Maria and Juanita decided to compile a business plan and a loan package.  With the assistance of Maria D. Juarez, Business Development Specialist from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at The University of Texas—Pan American, they accomplished this goal. After many countless hours of preparation, travel, hard work, and dedication, The Better Price finally had its grand opening.

Like many entrepreneurs, Maria and Juanita Valdez overcame many barriers. One example is the initial challenge of capital acquisition.  Having explored several financing options, they finally decided a family loan could start their business. With their capital, the small family loan, and most importantly, the emotional support from their husbands, they kept their heads high and strove towards inevitable success. 

Their success has been a result of a lengthy work-in-progress.  Throughout the year, Maria and Juanita continued to evaluate their business capacity. When the opportunity arose, they looked for and obtained financial assistance to relocate their store. The Better Price has never been better.

With positive attitudes and strong spiritual faith, they plan to make their business even better. Their long-term goal is growth and eventual expansion of their business. “Primero Dios, seguiremos adelante,” comments Juanita Valdez. As words of advice to other start-ups, Maria and Juanita encourage everyone to move forward with their dreams: “Que luchen por sus sueños.”

The Better Price is located at Palm Plaza off of Expressway 281 in Weslaco, Texas. For further information on the services offered by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a component of CoSERVE, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), please call the SBDC at (956) 292-7535.