On the evening of November 4, 2025, the annual Big Tex Business Masterclass concluded with a graduation ceremony for 19 hardworking and dedicated entrepreneurs. The five-month cohort comprised of several small businesses provides participants with a classroom, mentoring, and hands-on opportunities for growth and exposure to the food and beverage industry.
The Big Tex Business Masterclass is a dynamic educational series for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry, produced by the State Fair of Texas. The program aims to take existing businesses and educate them on implementing successful business operations and disciplines while creating an environment for networking and providing opportunities for growth and exposure. Completion of the program is not an automatic acceptance to the State Fair of Texas, but it allows a behind-the-scenes view and insight into what it takes to be a Food and Beverage Vendor at the Most Texan Place on Earth®. Since 2017, the program has proudly graduated 76 small business owners.
“This program is truly a reflection of the State Fair’s heart for community,” said Jessica Vitela, Director of Community Affairs for the State Fair of Texas. “Each year, we see the passion, determination, and creativity these entrepreneurs bring to the table. The Big Tex Business Masterclass is about more than preparing potential future vendors – it is about investing in small businesses that fuel our local economy and represent the very best of who we are as Texans. Watching participants connect with mentors, refine their business models, and dream even bigger for their future is incredibly rewarding for all of us.”
For the past five months, participants completed a series of curriculum, business mentoring, and vendor shadowing during the State Fair of Texas. The curriculum and sessions included topics such as How to Write an Expansion Plan that Works, How to Hire an Attorney and Accountant, Customer Service that Excites and Engages, HR, Understanding Business Credit, Franchising, a Financial Panel with Financing Options & Resources, and more. Collectively, this cohort completed more than 400 hours of mentoring and shadowing throughout the Fair season. Congratulations to the 19 entrepreneurs who successfully completed and graduated from the 2025 Big Tex Business Masterclass:
- Breanna Hurndon & D’Andray Daniels, Grandma’s Hands
- Brenda Hagler, B&B Catering LLC
- Brett Silva, Porch Swing Iced Tea
- Bryan and Racene Nguyen, Reverie Bakeshop
- Chenitha Ellis, Hurryback Catering LLC
- Clayton Brewer & Jordain Williams, Brewer Concessions
- Destiny Wilson, Locked n Loaded Potato House
- Deverly Orupabo, Shaved Ice & More
- Dusty Clem, Purpose Macarons
- Elvis Cho, Sawa Treats
- Jose Manuel Sanchez, Isabel’s Guatemala Restaurant
- Kertrina Dauway, You Can Live Again Sea Moss Store
- Luis and Kristen Florentino, GFF GOOD FREAKIN FOOD
- Meika Johnson, Chef MiMi J LLC
- Pastry Chef Ty Howard, Cake Me Crazy
- Robert Hinojosa, BRT Smoked Tex Mex
- Shavonne Gay, Thee Kitchen Beast
- Tiffany Qualls & JoAnnette Denman, Scrumptious Fried Pie Station LLC
- Victoria Medrano & Sophia Ochoa, Aguas Chicas DFW Catering & Concessions
As mentoring plays a significant role in the Big Tex Business Masterclass program, the State Fair of Texas appreciates our 16 vendor mentors’ generosity as they provided support and guidance to the graduates throughout their journey in the cohort. Though the annual State Fair of Texas is the busiest time of year for these vendors, they were willing to allow the participants to shadow them, offering a wealth of knowledge and experience. The State Fair of Texas thanks these vendors for their continuous commitment and support to the Big Tex Business Masterclass program:
- Brent & Juan Reaves, Smokey John’s Inc.
- Brice Noutoua, Crepes and Co. LLC*
- Butch Benavides, Glo-Nite, Inc.
- Cody & Lauren Hays, Texas Holy Catering and Concessions LLC
- Heather Perkins, Delicious Candy Pickles Factory*
- Kerston Crawford-Thorns, Pearlie’s Southern Kitchen, Inc.*
- Kyle Wall, Eatertaining Events, Inc.
- Melissa Harrison, Shrimp Doc LLC
- Milton & Gracie Whitley, Homestyle Products LLC
- Nicole Sternes, SouthSide The Realest*
- Rebecca Fletcher, Fletcher’s™ Original Corny Dogs
- Royce West, II, 2-5 Concessions
- Steven El Gidi, Drizzle Cheesecakes, Inc.
- Tami & Josey Nevins-Mayes, Nevins Concessions LLC
- Tom Grace, TS Food Systems LLC
- Tony Bednar, Tony’s Taco Shops LLC*
*Indicates this mentor is a previous graduate of the Big Tex Business Masterclass.
Bryan and Racene Nguyen of Reverie Bakeshop conquered 25 hours of shadowing. “The program just works. It’s not just for those interested in being a vendor; It works if you’re a business owner or someone interested in owning a business. The program covers a wide range, but for us, it gave us more perspective while enhancing our knowledge. The entire process was an experience, but in a great and fun way. We had a blast going through the program, especially the mentorship part. Being able to live it first-hand and see perspectives and workflows from different booths had our minds running with ideas and what-ifs. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience from our mentors, as we left each time wanting more, and we miss it now that it’s all done.”
The State Fair of Texas aims to give back through our partnerships with local organizations and initiatives while expanding outreach programs and placing a special priority on promoting community involvement. Our impact focuses on three areas of our mission – economic development, capacity building, and education, and the Big Tex Business Masterclass embodies all three. A special thank you to our partners and collaborators for continuously providing their greatest strengths and making this program possible: City of Dallas, ClearChoice Financial Group Inc., Comerica Bank, Frost Bank, Harmony Bank, Pristine Systems, SBA, SBDC of North Texas, SCORE Dallas, Texas Department of Agriculture, The Texas Mezzanine Fund, Vista Bank, and Wells Fargo. For more information, visit BigTex.com/Masterclass.