For Rafael Rios, running businesses seems to be in the family’s genes. His older brother Manuel is the founder and owner of Rios Farming Company, LLC, his older sister, Ofelia and her husband Severiano, own and operate Severiano’s Kitchen, and one of his younger sisters, Lidia, owns Maldonado Family Vineyards and Winery with her husband Hugo. “There has always been a feeling in our family that you have to work and provide for yourself and make your own way,” Rios elaborates, also mentioning that witnessing how hard his father worked was a source of inspiration for him and his siblings.  

Before opening his own law firm, Rios was a partner at another firm in Napa. Rios left the firm because he wanted to be able to dedicate more time to his wine business, Rios Wine Company, LLC, which he started with his brothers. He also finds that running his own business is far more rewarding:  “I do not have to work for anyone else,” he declares. “I only have myself to answer to.”

Owning and operating multiple businesses in different fields seems quite the challenge, but Rios has found a way to manage them effectively. “I try to concentrate my practice in the areas of wine and vineyard-related business, immigration, and real estate matters.”

Like many others featured in the exhibit, Rios takes pleasure in his ability to benefit the Latino community by providing important services in Spanish. Rafael emigrated to this country as a child in 1969 from Zamora, Michoacán, Mexico and has reaped the benefits of being bilingual, bicultural, and well educated.   He credits much of his success to his family and friends, who have helped him establish a clientele for his law firm, and given him the support to start and develop his wine business.  He has also learned a tremendous amount from his former law partners.

Rios has thrived on his values of honesty, trustworthiness, and being genuine. He believes no one should ever undersell their capability, even as “convincing people that you have the skills, knowledge, and ability to produce a quality product” is always a challenge when running a small business. He encourages future entrepreneurs to plan ahead, learn as much as possible about their industry of choice, assemble a good team of consultants, and “expect it will be hard work.”

Biography by Maija Starr. 

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Para Rafael Rios, llevar negocios parece estar en los genes de la familia. Su hermano mayor Manuel es el fundador y dueño de Rios Farming Company, LLC, su hermana mayor, Ofelia y su marido Severiano, poseen y operan Severiano’s Kitchen, y una de sus hermanas pequeñas, Lidia, posee Maldonado Family Vineyards and Winery con su marido Hugo. “Siempre ha habido un sentimiento en nuestra familia de que hay que trabajar y proveerse a sí mismo y hacerse su propio camino,” dice Rios, mencionando también que ser testigo de lo duro que trabajó su padre fue una fuente de inspiración para él y para sus hermanos.

Antes de abrir su propio bufete de abogados, Rios fue socio de otra firma en Napa. Rios quería poder dedicar más tiempo a su negocio de vinos, Rios Wine Company, LLC, el cual empezó con sus hermanos. También cree que llevar su propio negocio es mucho más gratificante: “No tengo que trabajar para nadie más,” declara. “Solo tengo que responderme a mí mismo.”

Poseer y operar múltiples negocios en diferentes campos parece un desafío importante, pero Rios ha encontrado un modo de gestionarlos eficazmente. “Intento concentrar mi práctica en las áreas del vino y negocios relacionados con los viñedos, inmigración, y cuestiones inmobiliarias.”

Como muchos otros presentados en la exhibición, a Rios le encanta su habilidad de beneficiar a la comunidad latina prestando importantes servicios en español. Rafael emigró a este país siendo un niño en 1969 desde Zamora, Michoacán, México y ha cosechado los beneficios de ser bilingüe, bicultural, y bien educado. Reconoce que mucho de su éxito se lo debe a su familia y amigos, que le han ayudado a establecer una clientela para su bufete de abogados, y le han dado el apoyo para empezar y desarrollar su negocio de vinos. También ha aprendido mucho de sus antiguos compañeros abogados.

Rios ha prosperado en sus valores de honestidad, confianza, y ser auténtico. Él cree que nadie debería nunca malvender su capacidad, ya que “convencer a la gente de que se tienen las habilidades, el conocimiento y la habilidad para hacer un producto de calidad” es siempre un desafío cuando se lleva un pequeño negocio. Anima a los futuros emprendedores a planificar, aprender lo máximo posible sobre la industria de su elección, reunir un buen equipo de asesores, y “esperar que sea un trabajo duro.”