Interviewer
Francis Reyes
Project
Hispanic Entrepreneurs Oral History Project
Summary of Interview
Successful businesswoman Mamie Salazar-Harper began her life in Victoria, Texas, as one of eight daughters born to Manuel and Julia Salazar. Claiming that her mother’s strong work ethic and her father’s entrepreneurial spirit gave her and her sisters the tools they needed for success, Salazar-Harper worked her way up from a position as the Beeville, Texas, ColorTyme store manager, to the Rio Grande Valley regional manager for ColorTyme, and finally as the sole owner of the El Paso franchise. In this interview, Salazar-Harper shares her experiences as a woman and a Mexican-American entering into the business world. In addition, Salazar-Harper discusses the El Paso business environment and asserts that the city’s diversity offers both opportunities and challenges for commercial enterprise. She also offers advice to would-be entrepreneurs, including a discussion of financing and credit options and local networking opportunities, as well as advocating personal sacrifice, high commitment levels, solid planning, and diversification of services.
Date of Interview
2-6-2009
Length of Interview
42 minutes
Listen to the Interview
Tape Number
No. 1522
Transcript Number
No. 1522
Length of Transcript
21 pages
Transcriber
Pamela Krch
Interview Number
No. 1522
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Mamie Salazar-Harper by Francis Reyes, 2009, "Interview no. 1522," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.
Comments
Transcript is a Draft copy