Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla: Tell us about your
family history and where you come from?
Janet Cruz: I was born in Ybor City,
Florida, and my Grandmother moved to
West Tampa. My grandparents worked the
cigar factories for decades. I learned the
true meaning of hard work by watching
them and my mother working early in the
morning and late at night. I take enormous
pride in my working class history, and I
know that the people in my district feel the
same way.
Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla: Tell us about
your inspirational journey as a business
woman?
Janet Cruz: I was always interested in
business growing up. The thought of
ownership and responsibility drew me to
a future in business. At the age of 16, my
daughter Ana was born. I was a kid having
a kid and responsibility became not just
an idea but a reality. When I graduated
from high school, I looked to further my
education and saw the opticians