Building a Business. Changing a City with Natalie “Nati” Garza

With an election just around the corner, Jasmin Brand sits down with Natalie “Nati” Garza, founder of Con Ganas Mija and candidate for Mayor of Mission, Texas, to talk about business, community, and her decision to step into public service.

A Rio Grande Valley native, Nati shares how she grew Con Ganas Mija from a women's networking community into MijaCON, an annual conference, and Mija Mercado, a brick-and-mortar marketplace in Downtown Mission that now provides retail opportunities for more than 60 small businesses.

They discuss the challenges of growing a business, the economic impact of supporting local entrepreneurs, and the role small businesses play in revitalizing communities. Nati also opens up about what inspired her to run for mayor, why she's no longer satisfied sitting on the sidelines, and how her experiences as an entrepreneur have influenced her perspective on leadership and public service.

Editor's note: This conversation is presented for informational purposes and does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate or political campaign.