Garza: We plan to do the UTRGV Retail Market Pitch every semester

EDINBURG, Texas - Eloy Garza, a lecturer in marketing at the UT-Rio Grande Valley Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship, says a recent Retail Market Pitch competition was a “huge success.”

Among those in attendance were UTRGV marketing students, community partners, and business partners. The business partners were the companies making a pitch. The keynote speaker was Elizabeth Chavez, vice president of development and community engagement for Junior’s Fresh Market. Junior's has nine stores around the Valley.

“I believe this initiative exemplifies our commitment to building a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in South Texas. What I am truly proud of is the fact that we are not only enhancing our students' professional growth but also empowering local businesses with a platform for market entry and expansion,” Garza told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service.

The community partners in attendance were Maria Juarez, executive director of UTRGV Small Business Development Council, Susie Flores, director of U.S. business recruitment for McAllen Economic Development Corporation, and David Armstrong, board member of RGV Angel Network.

“This is the second year we have partnered with the UTRGV SBDC and McAllen EDC to engage the businesses they serve with our marketing students,” Garza said.

As for the tie-up with Junior’s Garza said:

“I realized that several of the companies we were working with could benefit from presenting their products to Junior's Supermarkets. Last spring, my students developed a marketing strategy for Junior's and had the opportunity to work with Dr. Chavez. When I realized how many manufacturers we were working with, I pitched the idea for the event to Elizabeth and she loved it, the UTRGV Retail Market Pitch was born and it is definitely something I intend to do every semester.”

The business partners featured at the pitch event were:

• La Maizeria: Founded by Jesus Jose Talamantes in Santa Catarina, N.L., Mexico, La Maizeria started as a family project and is now featured in restaurants and stores across Mexico. It’s expanding to the Rio Grande Valley to share its authentic flavors.
  
• 11.11 Balance: Founded by Alejandra Garfias, 11.11 Balance offers wellness blends made with natural oils to address specific concerns like anxiety and pain, promoting overall balance.
  
• Salsucas: Founded by Alison Villagrana, Salsucas seeks to celebrate the rich culinary heritage of Mexico by sharing the bold and versatile flavors of her salsa macha.
  
• El Querreque: Founded by Belen Gamez, El Querreque aims to bring the vibrant flavors and traditions of Mexican cuisine into homes across the Rio Grande Valley with her frozen ready to eat meals.
  
• Momole: Founded by Dr. Gustavo Gutierrez and his wife Jocelyn in Reynosa, Mexico, Momole seeks to bring their premium line of authentic Mexican mole sauces to the U.S.
  
• La Artesenal: Founded by Antonio Gabriel Ortiz Zavala, Puebla City, Mexico, La Artesenal seeks to bring the bold, authentic flavors of traditional Mexican salsa macha to the Rio Grande Valley and expand into the U.S.
  
• Asanitas: Founded by Eduardo Ortiz and his Wife Paola, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Asanitas is dedicated to manufacturing healthy, delicious snacks that enrich the lives of their consumers.

Authentic 

During her presentation, Chavez, of Junior’s Fresh Market, spoke about the supermarket chain providing authentic foods for the Hispanic market. Here is a segment of her presentation: