![]() Summer catering orders had to be declined as well since the Vegas believed their restaurant would no longer be in business come summer time. They stopped paying themselves and her mom even had to get a second job and take out personal loans to keep Maria’s up and running. To compensate for slow business, Vega’s parents had to drastically cut their employees’ hours. ![]() She described the struggle her family went through as crushing, as she saw the sacrifices they’d made and their livelihood slipping away. Her parents were on the brink of losing it all and Vega knew she had to do something. Their troubles started in January and continued for months with no end in sight. Although they had seen rough times before, like during the pandemic, this time was different. You develop that drive to work just as hard as they do.”ĭespite the Vega family’s hard work and dedication though, Maria’s customer count began severely declining in early 2022. “In addition, seeing your parents at work constantly makes you gain a better appreciation for them because you’re seeing how hard they’re working day in and day out. “Working at such a young age allows you to gain a work ethic that you can’t really get anywhere else,” Vega said. While it was sometimes hard to miss out on time with friends due to her restaurant obligations, ultimately, Vega believes Maria’s shaped her into a more responsible, hard working, and dedicated person. “So my parents owning a restaurant, even if it was small, was something they never could have imagined.” Photo: Nick Simonite Design: Kelly Millington “As immigrants coming to a new country, the idea of ownership isn’t a priority, or even something you think you’ll ever be able to attain,” Vega said. David, a chef, brought his expertise to the kitchen, while Maria managed the logistics and day-to-day operations. Her parents worked tirelessly to get their business up and running. But when they announced they’d be opening their own restaurant in their small town of Corinth, Texas, Vega realized at a young age the power of hard work and determination. As immigrants who never reached high school, Vega didn’t see her parents as the business-owning type. Opening Maria’s, named after Vega’s mother, in 2017 was a dream come true for Vega’s mom and her dad, David. Four years later, she never could have imagined that she’d be the one to save it from going out of business. Jasmine Vega, or Jas as she is affectionately called, was only 13 years old when she started helping out at her parent’s Mexican restaurant, Maria’s.
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