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An Inspiration to Succeed

Ray Arvizu's mother was always his biggest supporter

From her cheers that "could be heard across a crowded gym" during his basketball games to her encouraging words as he started his own business, Ray Arvizu's mother was always his biggest supporter.

Since her unexpected and sudden passing last July, Arvizu has spent much time reflecting on how his mother, Isabel Gonzalez Arvizu, influenced him.

"The impact that your mom has on you remains with you for the rest of your life," Arvizu says. "She's always there, whether she's physically there or not."

At 6-foot-4 inches, Ray towered over his 5-foot-1-inch mother, but while she didn't pass on her petite frame, what she did bequeath on to him was a competitive spirit, tenacity and a passion for entrepreneurship.

"If she believed in something, she would go all the way for it," Ray remembers. "My mom was always very focused on goals. If I ever wavered, she was always there to remind me of my goals."

That support and steadfastness helped him as he founded his company, Arvizu Advertising and Promotions in 1991 and grew it to become one of the top Hispanic advertising companies in the nation.

Isabel was "an entreprenuer at heart" and while she worked as a beautician raising Ray and his sister, Rachel Peralta, she often wished her husband, Raymundo, would start his own company. So when her son ended his basketball career after playing professionally in Mexico and started his business, she jumped in to help immediately.

"When I had no money to pay anyone, she volunteered," Ray remembers fondly, "And, thanks to her, I never had to worry what was for lunch." Both his parents served as ambassadors for the company and Isabel remained an essential part of the Arvizu team until her death at age 71.

Ray credits his parents for passing on the importance of giving back to family and community. "My mom and dad worked hard, they wanted to improve the quality of life for their children and they expected us to do the same for our kids."