"One of the privileges of this job is being able to recognize those small businesses who exemplify the American Dream"
SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto

When it comes to operating a successful business and obtaining capital to keep it growing and thriving, Mamie Salazar Harper (who's who) has become the entrepreneur extraordinaire. She is the owner of M Rentals, Inc. in El Paso, Texas, and operates under the name of Fiesta Rent-To-Own.

The Rent to Own industry veteran will be awarded the Small Business Administration's 2004 District Directors Choice Award at the SBA’s 50th Anniversary Luncheon in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Monday, February 23.  SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto will deliver the keynote address at the luncheon. "One of the privileges of this job is being able to recognize those small businesses who exemplify the American Dream," Barreto said.

Later in the week, Mrs. Salazar Harper will be sworn in as a Commissioner of the Texas State Women’s Commission. Appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry, Mrs. Salazar Harper will be working closely with the First Lady of Texas, Anita Perry, in addressing a variety of issues affecting Texas women including  reduce the incidence of domestic violence, increase childhood immunization rates, provide resource information in response to constituent requests, and highlighting the accomplishments of notable Texas women. The commission also oversees the Texas Women's Hall of Fame.

Mrs. Salazar Harper’s story serves as an example for other entrepreneurs, especially women business owners, as she has overcome many obstacles in order to succeed. Before starting her own business, she worked as a store manager for Colortyme, a national franchise system, in Beeville, Texas. Within eighteen months, she grew a store from 400 accounts to 1000, and was soon promoted to district manager. Recognizing her potential, the franchiser approached her with a challenge, to takeover a failing Colortyme franchise in El Paso, Texas.

She traveled to El Paso in 1990, and without benefit of family or friends, she quickly adopted the city and set to work creating a business that would provide employment for other women. She started her business without capital by accepting a "no money down, take over payments" sweat equity arrangement. Without any formalized training or a college degree, she took on the many challenges of owning and operating a small business. She created opportunity where none had existed.

Mrs. Salazar Harper was able to turn the business around and make it grow and prosper. Realizing the potential for expanding her market by opening another store, she turned to the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for support. In 1993, she was able to obtain her first SBA 7(a) guaranteed loan for $350,000.

Working in a male dominated industry, Mrs. Salazar Harper is one of a handful of female rental dealers in the United States, and quite possibly, the only minority female rental dealer. In 1992, she was awarded the Colortyme Top Ten Franchisee of the Year, and in 1993 she garnered the coveted Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO) Dealer of the Year. She is also the founder of "Women of RTO". As an advocate for the industry, she feels her mission is to educate the public about the true nature of this business transaction. She plans and conducts training and informational seminars for the industry twice a year and hosts an annual state and national convention. By helping to mentor and train other rental dealers and their employees, the industry image has improved dramatically.

Mrs. Salazar Harper has served for ten years on the board of directors for the Texas Association of Rental Organizations (TARA), and is currently the Chairman of the Board. She has served six years on the board of directors for the national Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO) trade association. She has served as the APRO Political Action Committee (PAC) Chairwoman for five years, and created a contribution system that rewarded industry leaders and increased PAC revenue from $30,000 to $150,000. She has testified three times, on behalf of the national industry, before the United States House of Representatives Banking Subcommittee on pending federal legislation. In September, 2002, HR1701, the Consumer Rental Purchase Bill was successfully passed in the United States House of Representatives. Mrs. Salazar Harper has testified twice, on behalf of the state industry, before the Texas House Legislature Insurance Committee and Business Committee.

The Bush Administration recognized her hard work and high energy. In June 2001, she was invited to speak at the White House at an economic policy roundtable conducted by Dr. Lawrence Lindsey, special advisor to President George W. Bush. The purpose of this meeting was to report on the current state of the economy as it relates to the different business sectors.

Also in 2002, Mrs. Salazar Harper was named one of the Dynamic Dozen by the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce. This award was presented in recognition of El Paso’s small to medium sized businesses who have demonstrated significant growth and who show great potential for continued success.

In 2002, Mrs. Harper was selected as one of the recipients of Women of Enterprise Magazine’s Women of Excellence. The award, sponsored by IBM, is given to Texas women whose initiative, spirit and achievements have made a positive difference in both the business world and the community.

In 2003, Mrs. Salazar Harper was selected as a member of the Advisory Board for State National Bank. She assists the bank in identifying female entrepreneurs who need to obtain financing for their small businesses. Thomas Casaday, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Sierra Providence Health Network, has appointed Mrs. Salazar Harper to a three year term on the Governing Board of the two Tenet-owned hospitals. She will act as a liaison between the administration and the El Paso community.

Mamie Salazar Harper is a tireless advocate of small business. She works closely with the SBA El Paso District Office and SBA Business Partners. She has volunteered her time to work with the SBA and SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, on various seminars and conferences held throughout the year. She has been a keynote speaker at the SBA annual finance conference, and helped other business owners understand the process of access to capital. She was the host of "It’s Your Business" a SBA television show that interviewed successful small businesses. She has worked with the SBA and KXCR Radio 89.5 FM as the host of "The Small Business Connection", a program aimed at helping entrepreneurs. She acknowledges that the highlight of "The Small Business Connection" occurred when she conducted a live radio interview with SBA Administrator Hector Barreto.

Mrs. Salazar Harper is married to Dr. William D. Harper and they have two children, Daniel, 3, and Madelyn Isabella, 7 months. The Harpers are supporters of the El Paso Symphony, the Battered Women’s Shelter, Candlelighters and Goodwill Industries. They are members of the Texas Historical Commission, the Sam Houston Historical Society and the Friends of the Governor’s Mansion.

RTO Online will interview Mrs. Harper during the upcoming TARA convention. The streaming audio interview will focus on her passion for the women's issues and the Rent to Own industry, The interview will be available on www.rtoonline.com.