Olaf Growald
Edward Ramirez and Francisco Castaneda
The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on too many industries. In an effort to help, the Texas Rangers launched a contest aimed to support women-owned and minority-owned small businesses in the Metroplex.
And the grand-prize winner happens to be a barbershop based right here in Fort Worth.
That's District Barbershop, owned by Edward and Amy Ramirez, with locations in the Near Southside, Alliance, and North Richland Hills. The Texas Rangers named the barbershop as the grand prize winner of the Rally Back with the Rangers contest, which asked eligible businesses to submit a video or essay that detailed "why their business is valuable to the community and to Rangers fans everywhere.”
Finalists were then invited to pitch their business in person to Rangers executives, Comerica Bank middle market group manager and Texas Women’s Business Resource Group chair Margareth Fanini Aviles, and former Rangers’ pitcher Darren Oliver, at Arlington's Texas Live! entertainment center.
The panel determined its winners based on originality, connection and experience with the Texas Rangers, the struggles they've had to overcome, and how they support the community — District Barbershop, for example, hosts "District Days" and collaborates with local barber schools to provide free haircuts to people in need.
As the grand prize winner, District Barbershop will receive advertising and marketing support during the Rangers 2021 season, which includes posts on @Rangers social channels, promotional radio spots, and an ad in a Rangers 2021 program. The barbershop also received four tickets to a 2021 Rangers game at Globe Life Field, as well as a private suite night provided by Comerica Bank.
"Winning Rally Back with the Rangers is an extraordinary opportunity to share our vision of service and community by providing exposure and opportunities for longevity on a level that we couldn't have on our own,” District Barbershop co-owner Amy Ramirez said in a statement.
