Dip it by Pilar is first company in Texas to receive this honor

Mission, TX- It’s another first for the City of Mission. A Mission-based business was named as a finalist in the Stacy’s Rise Project, an initiative by the PepsiCo company aimed at helping women grow their businesses. 

Dip it by Pilar owned by Pilar Gonzalez, was among hundreds of applicants from around the nation and is now one of five finalists competing for the grand prize of $100,000 and mentoring from PepsiCo advisors. Dip It by Pilar is the first company in Texas to receive this recognition. 

“I’m so humbled to be considered one of the finalists along with four other amazing women whose work is nothing short of inspiring,” Gonzalez said. 

Gonzalez has already received $20,000 from Stacy’s Snacks — the PepsiCo brand that established the project — which will provide her with mentorship and brand visibility over the next three months. At the conclusion of the competition, she and the other finalists will make a final pitch before a panel of judges at the PepsiCo headquarters which includes Padma Lakshmi, an executive producer for Top Chef. Dip it by Pilar is a food manufacturing company that focuses on yogurt-based dips with a healthy twist.

“In my case, I’m lucky to count with the support of an entire community that has seen me grow as an entrepreneur since the moment I started this company,” Gonzalez said. “I can’t wait to share this success with everyone in Mission.”

Gonzalez kick-started her business through the Mission Economic Development Corporation’s (EDC) Ruby Red Ventures program, a small business fund that aims to promote the creation of innovative business in Mission. 

“When Mission EDC launched Ruby Red Ventures, our goal was to invest in tenacious local entrepreneurs like Pilar,” Daniel Silva, CEO of the Mission EDC, said. “We have always had high expectations for her and she has exceeded every time. We are well on our way to having a major national brand located right here in our own community.”