By Natalia Denegri
I’ve worn many hats in my life—actress, film producer, journalist—but none has taught me more about the American Dream more than building a business from the ground up. The long hours, the narrow margins, the constant uncertainty—these are the realities for every entrepreneur who’s ever turned on the lights before dawn and locked the doors after midnight. We don’t ask for much. Just a fair shot. A system that rewards hard work, not punishes it.
That’s why I’m urging the House of Representatives to pass President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill.
For business owners like me—and for the millions of servers, cooks, dishwashers, and delivery drivers who keep our industry alive—this bill is more than just tax reform. It’s a recognition that we matter.
One of the bill’s most powerful provisions ends federal income taxes on tips. If you’ve ever waited tables, you know that tips aren’t a luxury. They’re rent. They’re groceries. They’re school supplies for your kids. Yet for years, tipped workers have been taxed on income they have to hustle for—every night, every shift, every customer. This bill changes that. It brings dignity and fairness back to the equation. And for a single mom bringing home $150 in tips a night, it means thousands more a year that she can finally keep.
The restaurant industry is one of the largest employers in America. Nearly one in four workers in our field is Hispanic. Many of us came to this country with nothing but a dream and a work ethic—and found opportunity in the kitchen or behind the counter. Eliminating the tax on tips, as the president proposes, is a game-changer for this community. It rewards the very people who represent the heart of the American workforce.
And I know this firsthand. As co-owner of Baires Grill, one of the most prominent Argentine restaurant chains in the U.S., I’ve seen the impact of unfair taxation on hardworking employees. Alongside Martín Koenig and Gustavo Abudiab, we’ve built a brand that represents the best of Argentine cuisine and culture, recently earning the honor of being named the official restaurant of the Argentine National Soccer Team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Yet despite our success, the reality remains—the backbone of this industry is tipped workers. And they deserve an economic system that works for them.
But the bill doesn’t stop there. It makes the 20% small business deduction permanent, expands 100% expense for equipment and improvements, and repeals unnecessary reporting burdens. These aren’t abstract policies. They’re the difference between opening a new location or staying stagnant. Between hiring that extra server or letting them go.
I know what it’s like to balance payroll against rising food costs. I’ve seen talented employees leave because we couldn’t match the benefits offered elsewhere. This bill helps level the playing field—not with handouts, but with relief that lets us reinvest in our people and our communities.
It also strengthens the child tax credit, allows families to use 529 accounts for trade school and other non-traditional paths, and expands health savings accounts. In other words, it recognizes the many forms success can take—and supports families trying to build a future, whether that future includes college or culinary school, welding or web design.
Critics say it does too much. I say Washington has done too little for too long. This bill doesn’t just lower taxes—it corrects imbalances. It says that people who work with their hands, who serve others, who take risks and create jobs, deserve a fair system too—not just tech giants and hedge funds.
Some bills are symbolic. President Trump’s bill is tangible. It affects your paycheck, your business, and your family’s bottom line. And for those of us who know the difference between scraping by and surviving one more month, that matters.
I love this country because it doesn’t just give you the freedom to dream—it gives you the chance to work for that dream. Let’s make sure it still does.
The House should pass the Big Beautiful Bill—a bold step toward an economy that honors work, rewards effort, and gives everyone—from the server to the business owner—a fair shot at the American Dream.
About the Author:
Natalia Denegri is the co-owner of Baires Grill, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, and a humanitarian based in Miami. Earlier this month, she joined a Bienvenido Empresarios delegation at The White House to advocate for the passage of President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill.
