Extract
Class of 1997.
Juan Alvarez, 37 Little Rock
THEN AND NOW: Owner, La Hacienda Restaurants Juan Alvarez is living the American dream right here in Arkansas. As the owner of five La Hacienda restaurants that span the state, Alvarez has become an important figure to Mexican food lovers. Alvarez moved with his large family from Mexico to San Diego in 1978 to help friends manage a couple of Mexican restaurants in the city. His family had owned and operated a restaurant for more than 10 years. But Alvarez's sister came to settle in Arkansas, and he liked what he saw of the state on his occasional visits. Scanning around for a restaurant location, his sister found a place for lease in Hot Springs in 1988. From San Diego, Alvarez gave the plan the go-ahead. The Hot Springs location became an instant success, and since he was inducted into the 1997 class of "40 Under 40," Alvarez has opened four more restaurants. He spends his time between his Little Rock and Conway establishments. There are also La Haciendas n Benton and Springdale as well as the original Hot Springs location. Alvarez does not plan to slow down. "Wherever we can find a good space that we think will work, we plan on putting a restaurant there," he said. The Alvarez family (seven brothers and four sisters, along with mom and dad) have inspired other Hispanic families to do the same--opening authentic Mexican restaurants in cities across the state. "Maybe they saw that we are doing well," Alvarez said in 1997. "When you do what you like and you do it with love, everything comes along." Dr. Niki Andrews, 41 Little Rock THEN AND NOW: Dentist, Dr. Niki Andrews A really great dentist inspired Dr. Niki Andrews while she was growing up in Hazen. Now, she's passing on that inspiration to children as a dental provider for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and is heavily involved in other community and civic groups. Andrews works with several dental associations and her church, First Church of the Nazarene, and sits on the 2002-03 board of Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts and the American Lung Association's "Take a Breather" Gala Committee. She was the first woman inducted into the American College of Dentist Fellows and was named the 1998 Dentist of the Year. "I love what I do; it's very rewarding," she said in 1997. "I feel it's a wonderful profession for a woman." Andrews is also past president of the Little Rock chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. She was also inspired by another woman of firsts, Eleanor Roosevelt, who said, "You must do the things you think you cannot do." After 14 years as a dentist, she looks forward to a 50 percent gain in business, paying off a mortgage and taking a little more time off from a job she still dearly loves. She enjoys spending time with her husband and friends, playing the piano and reading. Educa...See the full content of this document
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