Honoring My Hispanic Heritage
As National Hispanic Heritage Month comes around each year, I find myself reflecting on the lessons and values that have shaped me, especially those passed down from my parents, Joe and Victoria Ramirez, who founded Joseph Chris Partners. My Hispanic heritage isn’t something I talk about often in terms of language or tradition—I don’t even speak Spanish, well a few words—but it has deeply influenced my work ethic, determination, and the way I approach challenges. I always hear my parents’ voices when I’m facing a challenge trying to find a solution to a problem. “Mija,” I can hear my mom or dad say, “don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions.” It became natural to me to be a problem solver.
In 1977, starting a recruiting company for two Hispanic people with a few phonebooks and phones might seem crazy to some looking back. But my parents knew if they worked hard, they would be able to make it a success. My mother learned accounting and my dad learned everything he could about the real estate development and construction industries. They built Joseph Chris Partners from the ground up, and it was a true labor of love. As a kid licking envelopes and stamps to help them mail out resumes left a sour taste in my mouth from the glue but a strong impression that nothing worth having comes easy. That’s a lesson I’ve carried with me throughout my career.
Watching them navigate the ups and downs of building a business as Hispanics in an industry where we weren’t always well-represented inspired me to push through obstacles with grit and resilience. My dad always told my brother and me to work harder than everyone else out there because no one was going to cut us any slack. He showed us the importance of perseverance and leading by example, especially in moments when the odds were stacked against us. My brother proudly served this country in the US Army, and he was deployed many times throughout his career. He was away from his family and in harm’s way, but he always pushed through. Back home at Joseph Chris Partners, we survived industry and economic downturns, and we learned and adapted and kept working hard. Because my dad was such a strong force in my life, both as a parent and as a leader, there’s a piece of him in everything I do.
I bought Joseph Chris Partners from my parents in 2008, and it was one of the proudest moments in my life and in theirs. And to me, being proud of my heritage doesn’t mean waving a flag or speaking the language; it’s about hard work, dedication, and never giving up. These values are the gift my parents gave me and have been the cornerstone of my life and my leadership at Joseph Chris Partners.
This month is a reminder for me to keep pushing forward, just as my parents did, and to continue building on the legacy he started. For anyone out there facing challenges, whether personal or professional, know that it’s your persistence and hard work that will carry you through. That’s the essence of what my Hispanic heritage means to me.
Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month. Let’s celebrate the strength and determination that binds us all together.
