COMMENTARY: Entrepreneurial spirit is alive in San Benito

Joe Martinez

Joe Martinez, Ed.D., is a Doctor of Curriculum & Technology, a U.S. Military Veteran, and a San Benito native.

Market days in San Benito provide small businesses and new entrepreneurs a low-cost public platform to showcase their products and services, helping both vendors gain exposure and residents discover local offerings.

This past weekend, I took a walk down San Benito’s historic Robertson Street to see which local vendors and undiscovered entrepreneurs were participating in our community-supported Market Days. However, participation was modest, at best.

Why is it important for local vendors to participate in events like Market Days?

First, it helps increase product awareness, boost sales, and stimulate our local economy. Second, it generates additional tax revenue for our community.

Thirdly, residents benefit greatly when our money stays in San Benito because it creates more local jobs.

I enjoyed what I saw; there was live music from a local band, vendors with booths and tables selling curios, caps, novelties, burgers, popcorn, and other items, along with a low-rider car show.

I want to highlight that the City of San Benito actively supports the entrepreneurial spirit by hosting these monthly events.

Now, let me tell you what I didn’t see. I didn’t see local vendors offering samples to the public to generate interest and encourage sales.

I saw a cookie vendor sitting at their booth saying hello instead of greeting customers and offering a small sample bite to introduce the product and promote a sale.

I didn’t see the popcorn vendor give a sample to introduce their kettle popcorn to the public. I also didn’t see any vendors offering free samples, coupons, discounts, or even business cards and flyers.

I need window tinting for my car, and that could be a perfect opportunity for someone to showcase their tinting skills.

My car needs a paint job, and a local body shop vendor could have brought a recently painted car to showcase their work.

I also didn’t see vendors selling tamales or bunuelos on a seasonal basis participate in the festivities to promote their products for the upcoming holidays.

What I’m trying to say is that businesses, entrepreneurs, and vendors should make the most of Market Days to increase exposure and promote their products or services to our community.

Ultimately, we must come together to stimulate our economy by buying locally and keeping our wealth within our city. Only then can we begin to address the poverty challenges that affect our community.

We must revitalize San Benito with initiatives like Market Days, which could make our city the best place to live in the Rio Grande Valley.