Minority Businesses Are Thriving in Reno-Sparks, Nevada

Courtesy of Chihuahua’s Cantina & Grill

Many business dreams have come to fruition in the Reno-Sparks area, and it’s easy to see why. 

Opportunities exist for everyone here, and the region is quick to support those looking to take their company from ideation to market and beyond. Ahead, hear from three minority business owners and the success they have found in the area. Mother-daughter duo Dora and Sofia Rivera own Chihuahua’s Cantina & Grill, a restaurant specializing in flavors from northern Mexico; Carlos Ruiz owns a full-service marketing company called Bulldog Creative Agency with his wife, Carrie Belles; and Pooya Boniello owns Stratus Building Solutions, a commercial cleaning company that opened in 2025. 

Dora Rivera and Sofia Rivera 

Chihuahua’s Cantina & Grill 

Tell us about your journey in building a successful restaurant in the Reno-Sparks area. 

Dora: Our first location is in Winnemucca, NV. My children were attending college in Reno, and they helped me open a location here, where my daughter Sofia is general manager. My son, Javier, is general manager of the Winnemucca location. Growing our business in Reno started with realizing that Reno is booming, and this community could benefit from homestyle Mexican flavors. Word of mouth has been powerful, as people share their love for our food and our atmosphere. Expanding from Winnemucca came naturally as our reputation grew. 

How has the Reno + Sparks Chamber helped your company grow? 

Sofia: We reached out to the Chamber, and the team quickly guided us and offered their resources, such as the discount we get when printing our menus. The Chamber also opened doors to connect us with other businesses and promoted our business, so it was known in the community. 

What advice do you have for someone looking to start a business in the Reno-Sparks area? 

Dora: Make sure it’s a business that you are passionate about because your customers will resonate with that passion. Be prepared to work hard, learn a lot along the way and utilize the resources available like those of the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce. Membership has helped us thrive. 

Carlos Ruiz  

Bulldog Creative Agency 

Why did you believe your business would be a good fit for the Reno-Sparks area? 

We saw a real need for marketing, particularly for Spanish-speaking businesses and the Latin community. Because we offer full-service marketing support, we thought why not launch this business and help other people along the way. 

How has connecting with the Reno + Sparks Chamber helped your business? 

We have been able to thrive just due to its existence. The Chamber holds events that connect businesses with one another, and as a B2B company, networking and connecting with other businesses has been a huge gain for us. 

What tips do you have for new business owners who want to thrive in the Reno-Sparks area? 

Make time to work on the business and not just in the business. Take a step back out of the hands-on operations and make plans to grow your business and pursue your goals. The Reno + Sparks Chamber is a great asset for information, advocacy and connections. 

Courtesy of Stratus Building Solutions

Pooya Boniello  

Stratus Building Solutions 

What made the region a good place to launch your business? 

Reno has been growing over the past decade – lots of new businesses and new developments have arrived in our community. The economy is growing, and we want to be part of it. As a commercial cleaning business, we work with corporations and some small businesses and have been part of the post-construction cleaning for some of the new businesses. We are growing step by step. 

What’s been most beneficial about being a part of the Chamber? 

We get lots of information from the Chamber’s monthly meetings about what’s going on in Reno and Sparks and ways to engage in the growth. 

What steps should business owners take if they are thinking about opening in the Reno-Sparks area? 

They should do market research and study what services are needed. The population grows faster than the service providers, so some services are overwhelmed. There are opportunities for new businesses and new ideas, and the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce will help you with all facets of your operations.