Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and our communities, and here in Texas, we’re proud to be home to 3.5 million of them. Over the past couple of months, I’ve been picking up shifts at nearly 20 small businesses – learning new skills (like how to shuck an oyster!), meeting with owners and staff, and talking with them about the struggles they’re facing today. I keep hearing the same thing: Costs are up. The folks who are coming in have less to spend – or, in the case of the Valley and South Texas, there’s so much fear in the community due to violent ICE raids that many people are no longer even coming out. And they wish our leaders in Austin and Washington actually understood the hardships they’re going through and would do more to help them thrive. I love and appreciate our small businesses, and I’m in this race to fight for them. Our leaders should be expanding pathways to success for small businesses, not gutting them. We need to make Texas a state where these pillars of the community can get ahead – and where folks have the ability to support them because they themselves are doing well, too. That’s what I’m focused on. It’s been a privilege to meet and work with the small businesses that keep Texas running, and today, I wanted to highlight just a handful of them. I stopped by the Houston Farmer’s Market and had the opportunity to talk with so many incredible vendors who truly represent our state’s diversity, promise, and potential.
In Corpus Christi at Water Street Oyster Bar, I shucked some oysters and heard folks’ concerns about being crushed by rising costs. Families are working harder than ever, but their hard work isn’t paying off as it should.
I picked up a shift at Alings Chinese Bistro in Sugar Land, where folks told me that they feel like they’re being left behind. They inspire me to keep fighting for a Texas that works for everyone.
At Licha’s Cantina in Austin, the staff graciously let me take over the grill and talked to me about how business has been in our current economy.
And at Dirty Bill’s in Austin, I picked up a bartending shift. Behind every order is someone working long hours to keep a roof over their head while prices keep climbing. A 6/10 is tough, but I had a lot of fun! Take a quick look at the video my team put together by clicking below.
Texans are showing up every day to provide for their communities and their families – and it’s long past time our leaders did the same. When we invest in our small businesses, we invest in our future. I’m working my tail off to build a coalition of Texans from every corner of our state, and I hope you’ll join me. I hope I can catch you on the road soon. Thanks for reading, Colin Paid for by Allred for Texas
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Sunday, December 7, 2025
Our small businesses are the heart and soul of Texas.
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