PHOTO RELEASE: Veasey’s 2016 SOTU Guest Shares How She Transformed Her Love of Cooking into a Texas Restaurant Empire

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Marc Veasey welcomed Gloria Fuentes, owner and founder of Gloria’s Restaurant, to the nation’s capital to join him as his 2016 State of the Union guest.

Fuentes, a Salvadorian immigrant, began selling pupusas and tacos outside of a local Dallas dance hall to supplement her income and support her family. Soon she turned her part-time job into a full-time commitment as she invested her personal savings to open the first Gloria’s Restaurant in Oak Cliff. After the success of her first restaurant, Fuentes wanted to expand, but found access to credit more difficult than she anticipated. She remained committed and made the difficult choice to max out her credit cards to open a second restaurant. The investment paid off as she eventually opened a fifth and sixth restaurant with the help of a Small Business Administration loan. Gloria Fuentes is now the proud owner of 15 Gloria’s locations across Texas with plans to open three more restaurants in 2016.

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Washington, D.C.—Gloria Fuentes shares with Congressman Veasey about the late nights she worked when she first opened the original Gloria’s Restaurant in Oak Cliff.

“Gloria represents that the American Dream remains alive and well for those seeking a better life for their families. Her story exemplifies that with the right support and access to resources women and immigrant entrepreneurs can both follow their passion and provide for their families. As a Member of Congress, I will continue to fight for the resources that small business owners need, so they can also find the success that Gloria did,” Veasey said.

Hi-res photos available upon request.