Page 4 EL UVALDE TIMES October 12,1991 Young couple's success in business and parenthood due to family support By Olga M. Rodriquez Uvalde is very proud of its many young business entrepreneurs who have worked hard to educate and train themselves to create very successful businesses. It is of great admiration when for a young couple like Carlos and Rita Ramos each have their own very successful businesses, arc outstanding parents to their three young daughters and also give of their precious time to community service. Carlos began working on cars with his father Carlos Ramos Sr at their home at a young age and later he and his father established Ramos Auto Repair in 1978. He remembers that his family was not very well off economically but they were rich in love and support from their parents. His father's most valuable advise was to be resourceful. "When we came across a problem, we were encouraged to find a way to solve it," says Carlos. Because his parents did not speak English, young Carlos was always asked to run adult errands, to question a bill, to demand a correction. "Sometimes people didn't want to take me seriously because here I was, as a little kid arguing with grown ups that they had made a mistake," he remembers. Now he sees that as the best learning and maturing experience. He and Rita are teaching their daughters to be sure of themselves and to provide them with experiences that will help them in the future. The girls arc involved in modeling and dancing. "We enjoy selling Girl Scouts cookies with them, or candy for a school project, says Carlos. They know how to talk to people, how to make good sales presentations. We take them everywhere — to custom car shows, to beauty and hairstyle shows and parades we participate in. Rita owns Rita's Salon, located EAGLE PASS AUTO WRECKING 1-800-292-5519 773-1515 FREE DELIVERY Pregunten por Adrian, Victor o Alberto PARTES USADAS GARANTIZADAS P. O. BOX 1861, EAGLE PASS.TX 78853 EL INDIO HIGHWAY at 100 Jolley and is very proud of the support her husband has given her. "Starting my own business was easy because Carlos already owned his business," she says. I benefited from his experience, and learned from his mistakes." She regrets that she did not stay in school to graduate, opting to attend beauty school in Del Rio. "At that time I had already started doing my friends' hair at home and was earning some money. I began accumulating customers who began demanding my work. Also about that time the school walkout took place (April 1970) and many of my friends left school. I didn't want to go to school without my friends, so I decided to get my training and that way be able to buy all those things we want as teenagers." Rita remembers regretting summer vacations. "We were migrants, she says. We went up north to work in the summer, that was our summer vacations. I used to hate summers, it meant going off to work up North. But it was then that I learned about working hard and doing things right. My father would come by and check our work and make us do it right the first time. I remember what we got paid for doing that kind of work. Now I have my own business and I am doing something I really love to do and earn so much more than I did for all that hard work." Besides their success in their business, Rita and Carlos are very happy being involved parents. "We learn so much with our girls. They bring us so much joy and they have introduced us to so many activities and so many new friends," says Rita. "They are a big part of our business, helping us in promotions and just being with us everywhere. I treat them like little soldiers sometimes. Making sure they do their homework and participate in different things. But I know I am teaching them to be responsible and helping them to be successful in life." Another special interest the couple has is in helping the youth in the community. Carlos obtained his Automotive Certificate At Southwest Texas Junior College and his Bachelor Degree in Business from Sul Ross University mostly through night school. Now he shares his experience in filling out applications for financial aid or any other forms that new college students may need. He encourages every youth he is able to talk with to stay in school and he and Rita have often been asked to speak at the schools. Rita's greatest concern is for teenage pregnancy. "I've had an opportunity to speak to young kids and I tell them, it isn't fair what you kids do to each other. When a teenage girl becomes pregnant her youth ends there. The boy was not fair to her for depriving her of her youth, and depriving her of her youth, the boy, too, loses out on his youth and his opportunity to get a good education when he has to become a parent at an early age." Rita makes the kids aware that they are also responssible for bringing a baby that may have parents that are not prepared to raise him as he or she should be raised. Serving the community is something the Ramos had not really had time to do before, but with his college education behind him and the girls being older they are finding the time to help in several activities. They are proud of their participation in the Custom Car Show for the Teach the Children event recently and were amazed with Tommy Flores' ability to put such an enormous event together. The success of the event was their greatest reward for the time they gave to it. Carlos owns a 1951 Chevrolet 3 window pick up that he has been customizing over the' years. It is his hobby and his most enjoyable past time. The family enjoys the comradeship of custom car enthusiasts and the sharing of experiences and ideas in maintaining unique cars. There is no doubt that couples like Carlos and Rita are among the new generation of Mexican-Americans that is helping to change the image of They are an example dedication to personal through hard determination and love for their children, their families and their community. Uvalde, of true success work, I • A X •Zi The Ramos Family: Carlos, Rita and daughters, (l-r)Clarissa 10, Victoria 9 and Vanessa 5 F & F Auto Supply inc. - REFACCIONARIA -Partes y Accessorios Para Automobiles Domésticos y Foráneos Pinturas - Fierros - MACHINE SHOP SERVICE - 278-3341 O 720 E. MAIN Ramos Auto Repair U-HAUL CENTER MastefCord ( w**» 1 VISA I immomwoms jeooas Le ayudamos con artículos necesarios para cambiarse de casa. 413 W. Main St. 278-4251 L$i(e(Dl)s GrcixesiFj Picnic Supplies Snacks Ice Cold Drinks Beer Open Daily 8 am-9 pm. We accept food stamps 640 N. Grove__ 278-8860