Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! I will be shining a spotlight on Hispanic owned businesses in the Greater Houston Area. Below are some businesses that you can show love to and support in honor of this month.

Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen
Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen is a restaurant that specializes in authentic Mexican food with a modern twist. It is the perfect place to socialize and enjoy great food, with its festive and fun ambiance. The restaurant is owned by couple Amber and Julio Garcia. There are several locations throughout Houston in areas such as Vintage Park, Katy, and Towne Lake.
The dishes are inspired by various regions in Mexico such as Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Mexico City. The restaurant has a very diverse menu, which perfectly reflects the variety of cultures in Mexico.
The restaurant’s theme is inspired by the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. Each restaurant is decorated with bright colors, calaveras, or sugar skulls, and La Catrina, the goddess of death. Despite the theme, the atmosphere of Ambriza is a bright and lively one.

Mija Cultura
Mija Cultura, a Latina and women owned online clothing store that sells streetwear, was founded in 2017 by Houston natives JoAnn Alvarez and Karla Dominguez.
The women have drawn inspiration for their designs and clothing from the complexity of the Latino culture along with the emo music scene they grew up in. The brand perfectly reflects how diverse and culturally rich Texas is and the meaning of being Latino in the United States.
Mija Cultura sells various items like caps, berets, and tote bags. Mija Cultura’s most popular items includes hats with the word “mijo” and “mijita”– Spanish words of affection, meaning son or daughter Shirts with the company’s name “Mija Cultura” and a shirt that says, “If you’re reading this, the chisme’s [gossip] good,” are also some of their most popular items.
You can support Mija Cultura by shopping online via their website and following them on Instagram @mijaculture.

Sandra Orozco Photography
Cy Creeks’s, Mary Davis (11) has her own tie to a family owned, Hispanic business. Davis’ cousin, Sandra Orozco, owns Sandra Orozco Photography, a photography business that specialises in photographing special events.
“I capture the beautiful moments my clients are in,” Orozco said.
Orozco started Sandra Orozco Photography in 2012 after graduating high school. Yearbook inspired her to start her business..
“I started my business after high school in 2012. I took yearbook in high school for two or three years and I became obsessed… My first time holding a camera was when I knew I loved [photography],” Orozco said.
Owning your own business is not an easy feat, especially during the pandemic. Orozco said even though COVID-19 affected her business, it gave her time to focus on her family.
“[The pandemic] affected my business a whole lot, because for months I couldn’t do photography, but at the same time it was kind of okay because I had my second baby in June 2020 so I guess it worked out,” Orozco said.
Part of the reason Orozco enjoys her job so much is the positive feedback she gets from clients. Orozco says this is one of her favorite things about her job.
“My favorite part is the clients giving me their response when they receive their photos back! I love all the positive reviews I get,” Orozco said.
According to Orozco, the best way to support small businesses is by using social media to promote businesses.
“The best way to support businesses is to help promote everyone and anyone. Posting someone else’s business to our own page is so helpful, it brings our clients attention to the other businesses,” Orozco said.
To support Orozco, you can reach out to her via @sandraorozcophotography on Instagram.
Be sure to check out these amazing hispanic owned businesses and give them love and support. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!