Hispanic and Latin America Jobs For Entrepreneurs, Professionals and Executives

National University College launches Spanish Online Associate Degree in Entrepreneurship

2012-02-13T08:23:00.003-05:00

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, Feb. 10, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- National University College's Online Division, providing online degree programs taught in Spanish, announced today the addition of a new associate degree in business administration with a major in entrepreneurship.

The associate degree program provides students with administrative and managerial training with a focus on the entrepreneurial skills needed to plan, implement, develop and operate their own businesses in today's changing economy.

Along with the associate degree major in entrepreneurship, National University College's Online Division offers students throughout the United States the opportunity to earn associate, bachelor and master degrees fully online and in Spanish with areas of emphasis including business administration, criminal justice, information technology and education through its competitively priced, accredited programs.

New classes start every seven weeks, with flexible schedules designed to fit the busy lifestyles of adult learners.

"As the Hispanic population grows rapidly across the country – the rate at which Latinos are opening their own businesses is even greater,'' said Jonathan B. Morris, Senior Vice President of National University College's Online Division (NUCO). "Hispanic entrepreneurship rose more than 43 percent in the last Census count."

"We're pleased to offer students a major that prepares them for the demands of the emerging economy and fulfills the interest students have shown in business creation and operations," Morris added.

NUCO is the online division of National University College, which has offered degree programs and training for 30 years in Puerto Rico. National University College is a a member of the Eduk Group, the largest private postsecondary education company in Puerto Rico uniquely focused on offering career-oriented programs to students in Spanish.

For more information about NUCO offerings and enrollment, go to online.nuc.edu or contact the NUCO Office of Admissions by email at matricula@nuc.edu or call toll-free 1-855-323-1110.

About National University College Online

National University College's Online Division (NUCO) offers associate, bachelor and master degree programs taught online in Spanish in such fields as business administration, entrepreneurship, criminal justice, information technology, education and healthcare. NUC is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). National University College is a member of the Eduk Group, headquartered in Puerto Rico. Eduk institutions include Instituto de Banca y Comercio (IBC), Ponce Paramedical College (POPAC), National University College (NUC) and the National University College's Online Division (NUCO) in Puerto Rico. In Florida, the Eduk Group includes Florida Technical College (FTC), LaSalle Computer Learning Center, a division of FTC, and The DAVE School (Digital Animation and Visual Effects), a division of IBC . For more information on NUCO, go to online.nuc.edu. You also can visit www.facebook.com/nucous or follow @nuc_online on Twitter.

SOURCE: National University College Online

Multi skilled Technical Director needed for live news broadcasts and entertainment programming

2012-01-31T17:07:00.000-05:00

POSITION TITLE: Telemundo Technical Director (#4102BR)

LOCATION: Fort Worth, TX

Telemundo Network Group LLC is a U.S. Spanish-language television network committed to broadcast unique and outstanding national and local entertainment, news and sports programming to the fast-growing U.S. Hispanic audience. Telemundo targets this growing and vibrant audience by delivering the best in Latino entertainment. The network's schedule features a wide range of original programming, including novelas, talk shows, original sitcoms, sports and news, children's programming, blockbuster movies, reality, entertainment and music programs. Telemundo Communications Group, Inc. is an operating subsidiary of NBCUniversal, the nation's leading broadcast network and film. NBCUniversal is an equal opportunity employer.

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Broward SCORE, Hispanic Unity to offer business workshops in Spanish

2012-01-30T09:38:00.001-05:00

Jan 29, 2012 | by Nancy Dahlberg

Broward SCORE and Hispanic Unity, two local nonprofits, are teaming up to give business workshops and counseling to Broward’s Hispanic community.

While Broward SCORE has Spanish-speaking mentors, this is the first time the all-volunteer nonprofit has created a program geared specifically to the Hispanic community. Together with Hispanic Unity, Broward SCORE will give a free workshop the second Saturday of every month in Spanish. The workshop — called Starting your Own Business? An Introduction to What You Will Need — will be from 10:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hispanic Unity, 5840 Johnson St. in Hollywood.

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Hispanic-Jobs.com adds new Facebook login tool that lets users log in and search for bilingual jobs quickly

2012-01-13T05:43:00.001-05:00

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 12, 2012 - Bilingual jobseekers can now login to Hispanic-Jobs.com with a simple click of a button. The site is announcing its new login feature that lets users sign into their account through Facebook.

Hispanic-Jobs.com caters to bilingual, Spanish and English speaking jobseekers. With more people spending large amounts of time on Facebook and other social networking sites, this feature helps jobseekers quickly apply for positions online with just one login.

This is good news for bilingual professionals looking for jobs. In December of 2011, the unemployment rate dropped to 11%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). A total of 200,000 jobs were added in December. Economists are predicting that hiring should strengthen this year.

The demand for bilingual workers has grown in the last decade as the U.S. Hispanic population has increased. The need for employees who can speak both Spanish and English fluently is particularly important in the healthcare industry and for companies who need to communicate to a Spanish speaking customer base. Sales and marketing departments are especially in need of having a staff fluent in both Spanish and English and who can understand the culture of their customers.

Hispanic-Jobs.com was started in 2004 to cater to this growing demand. The company was started by a veteran Human Resources executive who saw the lack of resources to recruit qualified bilingual workers. The site gives companies single and unlimited online job posting packages and affordable pricing plans for companies with tighter budgets.

20% of Americans speak another language other than English at home according to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 American community survey. Companies that need to connect with customers, vendors and suppliers are recruiting people who are bilingual in both Spanish and English. Some of the industries that particularly need bilingual workers include:

Healthcare

Education

Customer Service

Hospitality

Social services

Finance

As more people are spending time online to search for jobs, the new Facebook login feature will make it easier for users to login to Hispanic-Jobs.com to search and apply for new career opportunities.

About Hispanic-Jobs.com

Since 2004, Hispanic-Jobs.com has been providing online recruiting for companies looking to hire bilingual, Spanish speaking workers. Founded by a former Human Resource executive with over 18 years of experience, Hispanic-Jobs.com is the premiere career site to find thousands of bilingual professionals located in the U.S. ranging from entry level to executive level. The website helps job seekers and employers conveniently apply to jobs and post opportunities online. In addition to helping employers and jobseekers, the website also allows advertisers to create targeted ads for the growing Hispanic market. Hispanic-Jobs.com is owned by Diversity Advertising, Inc., a 100% woman owned business.

SOURCE: Hispanic-Jobs.com

7 tips for managing social media from McDonald’s

2012-01-11T06:15:00.000-05:00

Dec 22, 2011 | by Samantha Hosenkamp

As one of the most successful businesses and most recognizable brands in the world, McDonald’s is no stranger to the particulars of marketing and PR.

But how does the company manage social media?

1. Determine why your company is using social media.

2. Employ different strategies for different platforms.

3. Make sure measurement jibes with your strategic goals.

4. Entertain people.

5. Get organized.

6. Give your social media content some personality.

7. Provide opportunities for consumers to ask questions.

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Franchises a draw for minority entrepreneurs

2011-12-23T19:45:00.000-05:00

Dec 22, 2011 | by Dinah Wisenberg Brin

Franchises appear to be an increasingly strong draw for entrepreneurs from minority racial groups.

A greater percentage of Asians, African-Americans and other minorities are buying into franchised businesses, as opposed to starting their own independent businesses, says a recent study from the International Franchise Association.

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Hispanic jobless rate remains unchanged

2011-12-04T16:19:00.002-05:00

Dec 02, 2011

The Hispanic unemployment rate for November remained unchanged, despite a drop of 0.4 percentage points in the overall unemployment rate, according to data released Friday from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The unemployment rate for Hispanics was 11.4 percent, compared to an overall unemployment rate of 8.6 percent.

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iHispano.com and Fox News Latino combine forces to offer Free Career Services for Latino Professionals

2011-11-30T18:23:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- iHispano.com and Fox News Latino will partner in offering a professional online community designed to provide news of special interest to Hispanic professionals, and open doors to jobs at leading American companies that specifically seek to build a diverse workforce.

Fox News Latino content is now available through the iHispano.com home page at http://www.ihispano.com/ . This will provide access to iHispano's job listings and a menu of free career services.

Founded by social entrepreneurs who care deeply about equal opportunity and economic empowerment, iHispano.com has been attracting thousands of senior professionals who desire to share their expertise with others who may need guidance in polishing their career skills. The founders saw a partnership with Fox News Latino as an ideal vehicle for connecting Latino professionals with jobs at top American companies as well as with a caring and likeminded community of peers and mentors during a tough economy.

"Wall Street may have seen an uptick in the past two years, but as Americans continue to feel the sting of the recession, they need access to the advanced education and career skills necessary to land the jobs that will secure their future," said iHispano Chief Executive Officer Rudy Martinez. "We are proud of the vision we share with Fox News Latino for building an online community that is dedicated to investing in the diverse workforce of the future," said Martinez.

"We are pleased to partner with iHispano.com in creating content that reflects a sensibility of the Latino community and a deep engagement, and commitment to American society," said Francisco Cortes, Director of Fox News Latino. "It is exciting to know that together we will provide resources that impact all of our lives," added Cortes.

Martinez explains that in total, iHispano.com, a division of Professional Diversity Network, and its sister networking channels for diverse groups have an audience of 27 million aspiring diverse professionals. With a credo of "each one reach one," community members are encouraged and inclined to mentor or open a door to an opportunity for a trusted colleague. The PDN network lists more than 100,000 jobs and a wide array of personal career resources that are free of charge.

About iHispano.com

iHispano.com, launched in 1999, is the premier professional networking site and job board for Latinos in the United States. A vital career resource for job seekers and corporations alike, iHispano connects aspiring and accomplished Latino professionals with a community whose members are committed to helping them realize their professional and personal goals. With more than 1.9M members, jobs posted by top industry leaders and Fortune 500 companies, career advice and an e-newsletter, iHispano.com is fulfilling its mission: to enhance access and opportunities for Hispanics while delivering a complete source for corporations to implement their diversity initiatives.

About Fox News

FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service dedicated to delivering breaking news as well as political and business news. A top five cable network, FNC has been the most watched news channel in the country for nearly ten years and according to Public Policy Polling, is the most trusted television news source in the country. Owned by News Corp., FNC is available in more than 90 million homes and dominates the cable news landscape, routinely notching the top ten programs in the genre.

SOURCE iHispano.com

El Clasificado closes its 2011 Su Socio de Negocios calendar year with financial expert Louis Barajas

2011-11-30T14:31:00.000-05:00

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) November 29, 2011 - For the fist time since its launch in 2006, the El Clasificado-presented seminar arrived on Ontario grounds, delivering Hispanic entrepreneurs in that area the tools needed to expand their business.

Louis Barajas, author of motivational books such as "Small Business, Big Life" and "Overworked, Overwhelmed & Underpaid", served as guest speaker to the event, which was sponsored by Wells Fargo, Verizon Wireless, California SBDC, and New York Life.

Barajas stated that the recession caused people to loose their jobs and in effect, create jobs for themselves out of necessity. The downfall to this, according to the entrepreneur, is that business owners were jumping into something that they were not prepared for in long terms. "Unfortunately 80% of people starting businesses fail. And that's what we're trying to avoid right off the bat."

During his lecture, he urged the Hispanic small business owners in attendance to avoid the most common mistakes made by entrepreneurs. His first tip was to create a life plan before they create a business model, in order to ensure a more stable foundation for their business. He also encouraged attendees to use social media outlets, such as LinkedIn, as marketing tools to grow their business.

The presentation given by Barajas sparked interest in small business owners such as Miguel Angel Soto, who stated that the information provided was useful and interesting. "It makes sense to think that if your personal matters are in order, you have a better opportunity of having a stronger business as well. A clearer mind makes clearer decisions, and that's very important when running a business," he said.

The event also included a presentation by Lina Navia, Yoga expert and founder of "Umbral Yoga", a series of Spanish-language community based classes that teach relaxation techniques through proper breathing and routine exercise. "I was surprised to see a yoga demonstration in a business expo," stated Soto. "But it all makes sense. Yoga helps a person reach a more peaceful state of mind and state of being. And all of that is needed not only when running a business, but in life a swell."

The event, which took place at he Ontario Hilton, culminated the 2011 Su Socio de Negocios Expo calendar year. The next Spanish language business expo is scheduled for April 11, 2012 in Los Angeles.

About Su Socio de Negocios

"Su Socio de Negocios" is a series of business breakfasts and expos in Spanish language, which El Clasificado began to offer in 2006.

About El Clasificado

El Clasificado is a Hispanic multiplatform media company that provides a marketplace for Spanish speaking Latinos in grassroots communities. With over 37,000 online classified ads, 4.5 million monthly page views and over 200,000 unique visitors, ElClasificado.com is the leading online classifieds portal connecting buyers and sellers in the U.S. Latino market. El Clasificado print is a verified publication with a weekly circulation of 410,000 and is distributed to more than 250 cities in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Ventura and Kern Counties.

SOURCE El Clasificado

U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis pushes jobs package

2011-11-29T22:19:00.000-05:00

DENVER, Colo. -- U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis says the federal government needs to come up with new ways to administer jobless programs.

Solis was in Denver on Monday to promote the president's jobs bill, which would extend unemployment benefits.

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Harnessing online resources to capitalize on Small Business trends

2011-11-25T16:39:00.000-05:00

Nov 23, 2011 | by Ray Child

Today’s nimble small business owner has a special advantage. Thanks to the internet, entrepreneurs have a unique ability to learn new ideas and immediately apply them to their companies. Here are four internet trends that small businesses can leverage to their advantage.

E-Commerce Is Booming

E-Marketing Trumps Traditional Marketing

The New Consumer Face

Social Media Makes Everything Personal

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Hispanic entrepreneurs to benefit from 'Small Business Saturday' effort

2011-11-25T16:32:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) today announced its support of the 2nd Annual Small Business Saturday, taking place November 26, 2011, a day dedicated to supporting small businesses in America during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Small Business Saturday, an effort championed by leading corporations including American Express, Facebook, Verizon, Hilton, Google, and AT&T, among others, brings National Entrepreneurship Month to a close.

"With small business taking its rightful place as the backbone of our economy, efforts like Small Business Saturday put Hispanic entrepreneurs in a wonderful position to benefit and continue leading the trend as the fastest growing minority group in America's business community," says USHCC Chairman Nina Vaca. "The USHCC applauds the corporations that created this initiative, which calls on Americans to celebrate and invest in the remarkable and everyday successes of our entrepreneurs and business owners across the country."

Small Business Saturday was created in response to small business owners' most pressing need: more demand for their products and services. In all, 130 small business advocate groups, public and private organizations and elected officials, including Senator Robert Menendez (NJ) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK), joined in supporting Small Business Saturday.

"As National Entrepreneurship Month comes to a close, the USHCC asks our members to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in their communities on November 26 by shopping with local merchants," says Javier Palomarez, USHCC President and CEO. "By spending our dollars with local businesses, together we can invigorate and contribute to the economic growth in our cities across the country, so that small businesses can continue to bolster our economy and create jobs. The USHCC urges all Americans to think big and buy small."

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that combined generate in excess of $420 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers and business associations in the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.ushcc.com.

SOURCE United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Study confirms landscape and lawn care industry as a key opportunity and economic engine for U.S. Latinos

2011-11-23T08:27:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce today released a major economic study confirming the vital role that the landscape and lawn care services industry plays in providing entrepreneurial opportunity, jobs and income to U.S. Latinos.

"This study clearly shows that the landscape and lawn care industry is a key creator of entrepreneurial opportunity for our community that is worthy of our strong support," USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez said. "It is very much the kind of 'low entry cost/high sweat equity' industry that provides immigrants and first-generation Americans with a starting point and pathway into the mainstream economy," he added.

The study, entitled "The Economic Impact of the Landscaping and Lawn Care Services Industry on U.S. Latinos" examines the landscaping and lawn care industry's impact upon Latinos. It was conducted for the USHCC by the Inter-University Program on Latino Research, a national consortium of 27 independent and university-based centers headquartered at the University of Notre Dame and dedicated to increasing the availability of policy-relevant, Latino-focused research. Among the study's key findings are:

The total household income of households with at least one worker in the landscaping industry totals almost $75 billion. Latino households with at least one worker in the industry obtain more than $18 billion in household income.

The landscape industry in the United States employs almost 1.6 million workers and generates almost 959,000 jobs in other industries. In total, Latinos account for more than 830,000 of the workers in both categories.

For Latinos, the landscape and lawn care industry is an important source of employment. The share of Latino employment in the industry is 2.6 times higher than the national average. Specifically, the data shows that while Latinos represent 13.4 percent of all U.S. workers, they represent 35.2 percent of all workers in landscape and lawn care services industry.

The landscaping and lawn care industry provides disproportionately more income to Latino households than the overall economy provides to Latinos. It also provides disproportionately more income to Latinos than it does to other population groups participating in the landscape and lawn care industry. The data reveals that 8.3 percent of the household income across the total U.S. economy is attributable to Latinos while nearly 25 percent of the household income within the landscape and lawn care industry is attributable to Latinos.

The landscape and lawn care services industry provides a strong source of entrepreneurial opportunity to Latinos. The proportion of businesses owned by Latinos in the industry is almost double the national average for all industries with Latinos accounting for over 16 percent of the business owners in the industry (versus 8.6 percent of the businesses nationwide).

Latino-owned businesses in the landscape and lawn care industry capture 7.5 times more of the total receipts than Latino-owned businesses across all industries with the landscape and lawn care industry reflecting an approximate 9 percent of total industry receipts versus 1.2 percent of total receipts across all industries.

Juan Carlos Guzman, who led the research effort for the IUPLR, noted that U.S. Census figures do not capture family and sole-proprietor businesses in the industry and may, as a result, not fully reflect the scope of Latino ownership and involvement in the industry. "While the census data does not include figures on family-owned and sole-proprietor businesses, we think it is more than likely that a similar proportion of those businesses are also Latino-owned," he said.

The report also includes qualitative insights from telephone interviews conducted with both Latino and non-Latino supervisors and employees in the landscape and lawn care industry from across the country. The interviews offer additional insight into the actual value and impact of the landscape and lawn care industry to participants in the industry.

California, Texas, and Florida account for one-third of all the Latino workers employed in the landscape and lawn care services industry. Sixteen states, including California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, New Mexico, Illinois, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Delaware, Florida, Utah, Maryland, Georgia, and Washington, all have Latino worker participation rates in the landscape and lawn care industry at twice or more the national average of Latino worker participation across all industries.

Palomarez observed that "Policy makers at all levels of government should be in the business of encouraging opportunity for Latino entrepreneurs, especially in industries like landscape and lawn care and especially in states where Latino-owned businesses and Latino employees are particularly in evidence. There's no doubt that, given the industry's demographics, Latinos are disproportionately vulnerable to detrimental employment, income and ownership consequences from policies which adversely affect the landscape and lawn care industry. We urge Latino lawmakers to be particularly attentive to the industry's needs as it is an economic and opportunity engine for our community."

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that generate nearly $400 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit http://www.ushcc.com/.

About the Inter-University Program on Latino Research

IUPLR is a national consortium of 27 university-based centers dedicated to the advancement of the Latino intellectual presence in the United States. IUPLR works to expand the pool of Latino scholars and leaders and increase the availability of policy-relevant Latino-focused research. IUPLR works to strengthen the network of Latino research centers across the United States by enhancing their institutional capacity. For more information, visit http://nd.edu/~iuplr/.

SOURCE United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Global Entrepreneurship Week: Top entrepreneurs share secrets of success

2011-11-19T19:51:00.000-05:00

Nov 19, 2011 | by Nancy Dahlberg

Global Entrepreneurship Week activities provided students and business people the opportunity to rub elbows with some of South Florida’s entrepreneurial elite, and the panel discussion that kicked off St. Thomas University’s events last week was no exception.

The standing room only crowd heard Miguel “Mike” Fernandez, chairman of MBF Healthcare Partners; Cesar Alvarez, executive chairman of Greenberg Traurig; Jorge Mas, chairman of MasTec; Kenneth Rader, co-founder of The Cereal Bowl; and Tifphanie Tucker, president of Mega Construction Team share how they got started from humble beginnings and their challenges along the way.

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Environmentalist and Community Advocate Wins Hispanic Leadership Award

2011-11-19T18:30:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- MillerCoors announced today its 2011 Lider of the Year, Andrea Delgado, Senior Policy Analyst and Communications Manager for the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). Andrea will receive a $25,000 grant for LCLAA to implement a Latino leadership project with MillerCoors.

"I am honored to have been selected as the MillerCoors 2011 Lider of the Year and grateful for the opportunity to continue helping my community," said Andrea. "I want to thank everyone who voted for me. Your support inspires me to continue doing everything I can to address the issues that affect our community."

The MillerCoors Lider of the year is chosen by public vote on www.MillerCoorsLideres.com. Andrea won 42 percent of the 25,464 votes cast. She was among twelve outstanding Latino leaders nominated by MillerCoors for their leadership and contributions to their communities.

"Andrea's dedication to the Hispanic community and the environment serves as an example and an inspiration to all of us," said Jose Ruano, multicultural relations manager for MillerCoors. "The competition among this year's 12 Lideres was tough, as each is an incredible example of Latino leadership. We are proud to highlight the achievements of Latino leaders, like Andrea, so they may continue to be role models for future generations."

Through her work with LCLAA, a national non-profit organization representing the interests of approximately 2 million Latino workers and their families, Andrea helps raise awareness about workers' rights and environmental problems that impact Latinos in their workplaces and their communities. Through her work with the National Latino Coalition on Climate Change (NLCC), Andrea engages and educates minorities and elected officials about climate change and the importance of environmental protection to safeguard public health and create quality jobs.

"To know Andrea is to understand how passionate she is about addressing the issues that affect the Latino community, especially those related to achieving justice and dignity in the workplace and protecting the environment. Andrea is an example that Latino youth hold a lot of promise for our workplaces, communities and the nation as a whole. We are fortunate to have her as part of our team," said Hector E. Sanchez, Executive Director, LCLAA.

Since 2006, the MillerCoors Lideres program has raised awareness and highlighted the achievements of national and local leaders within the Hispanic community through an online public voting competition and a national advertising campaign. The program offers up-and-coming Latino professionals leadership tools and the opportunity to network through www.MillerCoorsLideres.com, www.Facebook.com/MillerCoorsLideres, and LinkedIn.

About MillerCoors

MillerCoors brews, markets and sells the MillerCoors portfolio of brands in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Built on a foundation of great beer brands and nearly 300 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers. MillerCoors is the second-largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment. Miller Lite is the great-tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to Rocky Mountain cold refreshment. MillerCoors brews premium beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft, and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. The company also offers innovative products such as MGD 64, Miller Chill and Sparks. Tenth and Blake Beer Company, MillerCoors craft and import company, imports Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell and Grolsch and features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel's craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and two microbreweries, the 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver. MillerCoors vision is to create the best beer company in America by driving profitable industry growth. MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company.

SOURCE MillerCoors

A Business Legacy

2011-11-17T08:22:00.000-05:00

Nov 15, 2011 | by Rebecca Villaneda

Nothing says "I have achieved the American dream" like naming a son or a daughter to take over the family business. Yet, according to the "Business Owner Financial Wellness Study," conducted by MassMutual Financial Group in Massachusetts, only one in four Hispanic small-business entrepreneurs has a financial succession plan.

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Hispanics reviving faded towns on the plains

2011-11-16T06:23:00.000-05:00

Nov 13, 2011 | by A.G. Sulzberger

ULYSSES, Kan. — Change can be unsettling in a small town. But not long ago in this quiet farming community, with its familiar skyline of grain elevators and church steeples, the owner of a new restaurant decided to acknowledge the community’s diversity by adding some less traditional items to her menu. Cheeseburgers. French fries. Chicken-fried steak.

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Latino Engineers selected among Global Elite Startups

2011-11-16T05:41:00.000-05:00

Nov 15, 2011 | by Graciela Tiscareno-Sato

Today, after participating in the global Startup Open contest earlier this year and competing against hundreds of applicants from over 60 countries, the startup Edwardo created with his brother Jesse, Giggo, was named to the elite list of the 50 most promising startups from around the world. Giggo is a "social commerce company that enables brands and businesses to reach customers via games," per the company's description. Students of Lean User Design principles taught by Lean UX (LUXr), Edwardo and Jesse launched their first beta site back in June - Gigofertas. The companies named to the GEW 50 (Global Entrepreneurship Week 50) were "judged on concept, growth projections and knowledge of their industry" according to the Kauffman Foundation press release.

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Entrepreneurs to learn about green building

2011-11-16T05:39:00.000-05:00

Nov 15, 2011 | by Duane Marsteller

Twenty Hispanic entrepreneurs and business owners will learn ways to be more environmentally sensitive through a national training program coming to Nashville this week.

The pre-selected business owners will be coached on best practices for lowering operating costs, increasing revenue and motivating workers by incorporating green sustainable efforts into their overall business plans.

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New competition for Hispanic migrant entrepreneurs announced

2011-11-16T05:37:00.000-05:00

Nov 15, 2011

Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), today announced the establishment of a new competition to help Hispanic entrepreneurs implement creative new social and business ideas addressing issues of economic growth, food, security, water, and climate change in the region.

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4 Surefire ways to 'WOW' your customers and boost holiday sales

2011-11-14T10:42:00.001-05:00

Nov 11, 2011 | by Ashley Neal

Small businesses can boost there ROI this season by thinking outside the box and spicing up their marketing mix with some new options and a little imagination. Make customers say, "WOW!" this holiday season and bring in the New Year with satisfied customers that will return after the holiday is over.

Offer Hispanic SEO

The Hispanic community is a large consumer group that makes purchases locally, online and within their local communities. Cater to this audience by providing a Spanish version of your website. Partner with a reputable SEO company like Vayu Media, they have a broad Hispanic offering of Spanish advertising, Hispanic SEO and Spanish SEO services.

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Univision Networks partners with U.S. Department of State, IDB and the Kauffman Foundation to host Diaspora Event launching Global Entrepreneurship Week

2011-11-14T10:28:00.002-05:00

WASHINGTON, Nov 11, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Univision Networks, the U.S. Department of State, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the Kauffman Foundation will host Unleashing IdEA, an event that seeks to harness the entrepreneurial spirit of the diaspora communities in the United States. The event is scheduled to take place on Monday, November 14, at IDB headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Speakers will include Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the IDB, Cesar Conde, President of Univision Networks, Carl Schramm, President and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation, Elizabeth Littlefield, President and CEO of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and senior State Department Officials.

The event is set to launch the Global Entrepreneurship Week 2011, with International diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA) partners highlighting existing initiatives to engage and support diaspora entrepreneurs and investors. Panels will also look at lessons learned from various regional contexts and highlight how aspiring entrepreneurs can access resources.

IdEA is an innovative partnership platform, launched by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the first-ever Global Diaspora Forum from May 17-19, 2011, to engage diaspora communities, the private sector, and public institutions in a collaborative process.

Due to space limitations, this is an invitation-only event that is open to the media.

WHAT: Unleashing IdEA, A Featured Diaspora Event of Global

Entrepreneurship Week

WHEN: Monday, November 14, 2011, at 10:45 a.m.

WHERE: Enrique Iglesias Auditorium

Inter-American Development Bank

1330 New York Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20577

WHO: Luis Alberto Moreno, IDB President

Cesar Conde, President of Univision Networks

Carl Schramm, Kauffman Foundation President and CEO

Maria Otero, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global

Affairs

Elizabeth Littlefield, President and CEO, Overseas Private

Investment Corporation

Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State (invited)

The morning session of the event will be broadcast on Univision at a later date and will be live-streamed on UnivisionDinero.com in Spanish and UnivisionNews.Tumblr.com in English.

About Univision Communications Inc.

Univision Communications Inc. (UCI) is the leading media company serving Hispanic America. Its assets include Univision Network, one of the top five networks in the U.S. regardless of language and the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the country reaching 97% of U.S. Hispanic households; TeleFutura Network, a general-interest Spanish-language broadcast television network reaching 88% of U.S. Hispanic households; Univision Cable Networks, including Galavision, the country's leading Spanish-language cable network, and a suite of six cable offerings - De Pelicula, De Pelicula Clasico, Bandamax, Ritmoson, Telehit and Clasico TV; Univision Studios, which produces and co-produces reality shows, dramatic series and other programming formats for the Company's platforms; Univision Local Media, which owns and/or operates 62 television stations and 70 radio stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; Univision Interactive Media, a network of national and local online and mobile sites including Univision.com, which continues to be the #1 most-visited Spanish-language website among U.S. online Hispanics, Univision Movil, a longstanding industry-leader with unique, relevant mobile products and services, and Univision Partner Group, a specialized advertising and publisher network. Headquartered in New York City, UCI has television network operations in Miami and television and radio stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States. For more information, please visit www.univision.net .

SOURCE: Univision Communications Inc.

What to watch for the week of Nov. 14: Two festivals to offer startups tips on growing

2011-11-14T10:08:00.000-05:00

Nov 13, 2011

For entrepreneurs who like to talk shop in a festival setting, Washington is the place to be. A week after Digital Capital Week connected hundreds of entrepreneurs in a nontraditional gathering, two back-to-back events aim to bring together novice business owners looking for inspiration and instruction.

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Moving to U.S. and Amassing a Fortune, No English Needed

2011-11-11T11:45:00.000-05:00

Nov 08, 2011 | by Kirk Semple

More than 40 years after arriving in New York from Mexico uneducated and broke, Felix Sanchez de la Vega Guzman still can barely speak English. Ask him a question, and he will respond with a few halting phrases and an apologetic smile before shifting back to the comfort of Spanish.

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Divine by design

2011-11-06T08:15:00.000-05:00

Nov 06, 2011 | by Gennarose Pop

Norma Almanza does not look old enough to have run her own business for 23 years. Perhaps she’s managed to avoid the stress-induced aging brought about by entrepreneurship, because, as she said, “I love my work.”

Almanza started the YA Group — a design, advertising, and outreach firm located on New York Avenue in Union City — in 1988. She did this after she left her high-end job designing print materials for big name motion pictures.

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Looking for a job? Here’s something for you

2011-11-03T15:59:00.000-04:00

Nov 02, 2011 | by Leonard Pitts Jr.

Good news. The jobs crisis is over.

You read that correctly. There is plenty work available for downsized, furloughed and involuntarily separated laborers whose inability to land jobs in a rugged economy has driven the unemployment rate past nine percent. You probably didn’t hear about it in your lamestream media, but the problem has indeed been solved — and it didn’t take some fancy pants economic stimulus package to get ’er done, either. No, all that was needed was some old-fashioned American ingenuity.

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Hispanic student population grows at local colleges

2011-11-03T15:46:00.000-04:00

Nov 02, 2011 | by Chris McGuinness

The community college's Hispanic enrollment appears to follow a statewide trend, which showed an increase of more than 126,700 Hispanic students enrolled in two-year universities between 2000 and 2010.

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How the GOP can win over the Latino community

2011-10-29T18:39:00.000-04:00

Oct 27, 2011 | by Elyse Monroy | The Guardian UK

I am proud to say that in 2010, the state of Nevada elected its first Hispanic governor, Republican Brian Sandoval. However, Governor Sandoval only received 30% of the Latino vote. The reason for the low Latino turnout can be attributed to the lack of outreach by the Sandoval campaign and the Republican party to Latino voters in the silver state.

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MillerCoors celebrates minority business growth by declaring 'National Urban Entrepreneurs Week'

2011-10-29T18:03:00.000-04:00

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE) -- MillerCoors salutes today's urban entrepreneur and declares August 1 through 5, “National Urban Entrepreneurs Week.” The company has also launched a call-for-entries for the annual MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneurs Series (MUES) and Business Plan Competition. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, minority-owned businesses have increased nearly 50 percent since 2000, fully twice the rate of all U.S. businesses. More significantly, urban entrepreneurs, who now employ some 5.9 million workers, are leading the way in job creation and helping to rebuild the economy.

Now in its 12th year, the MUES program provides small business owners the unique opportunity to compete for a total of $150,000 in business grants. “At MillerCoors, we know that jobs are needed to build great communities. We want to do our part to empower small business development, which is helping to drive our economy by creating more employment opportunities,” said Larry Waters, vice president of multicultural relations for MillerCoors. “The MUES program is a viable resource for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. Through this competition, entrepreneurs compete for much-needed capital to fuel and grow their businesses.”

MillerCoors has awarded more than $1.7 million dollars to small businesses since the program's creation in 1999. This year, during “National Urban Entrepreneurs Week,” the MUES competition will provide entrepreneurs with several tools and information on how to build theirs businesses:

On Monday, August 1, MUES hosted a Twitter party, “Putting a Brilliant Idea to Paper: How to Create an Award-Winning Business Plan” with Black Enterprise senior vice president/editor-at-large, Alfred J. Edmonds, Jr. Tweeters will have the opportunity to register for the hour long party where, using the hashtag, “#MUES,” they can ask Edmonds questions via Twitter about their business plans and win prizes for their participation.

On Wednesday, August 3, the webinar, “How to Write a Business Plan,” was distributed to business bloggers as a resource for their visitors.

Throughout the week, the competition will host a national radio media tour with 2011 MUES grand-prize winners, Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora of BTTR Ventures. Velez and Arora will inform listeners of their MUES experience and provide tips on developing and submitting a strong business plan.

The owners of BTTR Ventures entered the business plan competition after first losing in 2009. They took the feedback they received from the judges, along with the resources on the MUES Web site, re-entered the competition in 2010 and walked away with the top prize of $50,000. “With this grant, we were able to move from a 1,200 sq. ft. warehouse to a 10,000 sq. ft. warehouse, and produce more product than we ever thought possible,” says co-owner, Arora.

This year's top winner will be awarded a $50,000 grant, and four other top finalists will each receive $25,000 grants. Competitors also have the opportunity to become a potential qualified MillerCoors supplier. The MUES competition is open to participants who are age 21 and older. All entries must be submitted to www.MillerCoorsMUES.com by Monday, October 3, 2011 at noon (CST).

Several business organizations support the MUES program, including the Atlanta Business League, the Chicago Urban League, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Dallas, the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and additional local chambers and chapters of the Urban League.

For more information, helpful resources for developing a business plan as well as the official rules and requirements of the MUES Business Plan Competition, visit www.MillerCoorsMUES.com.

About MillerCoors

MillerCoors brews, markets and sells the MillerCoors portfolio of brands in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Built on a foundation of great beer brands and nearly 300 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers. MillerCoors is the second-largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment. Miller Lite is the great-tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to Rocky Mountain cold refreshment. MillerCoors brews premium beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft, and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. The company also offers innovative products such as MGD 64, Miller Chill and Sparks. Tenth and Blake Beer Company, MillerCoors new craft and import company, imports Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell and Grolsch and features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel's craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and two microbreweries, the 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver. MillerCoors vision is to create the best beer company in America by driving profitable industry growth. MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company.

SOURCE MillerCoors

Breaking business barriers

2011-10-28T17:29:00.000-04:00

Oct 28, 2011 | by Gail Elber

NORTH BEND — Starting and running a business is hard for anyone. But if English isn’t your first language, it’s even harder.

“There’s a language barrier and cultural differences,” said Rene Quintana. “We see it, and sometimes we feel it.”

Quintana is the founder of Manos Unidos, an organization based in Crescent City, Calif., whose purpose is “to inform, improve, assist, encourage and strengthen the cultural roots, traditions and values of the Latino community.”

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12th Annual “Top Hispanic Owned Businesses in America” Program Announced

2011-10-25T06:39:00.000-04:00

SOUTHPORT CT / October 24, 2011/ -DiversityBusiness.com, the nation's leading business internet portal will be conducting its 12th annual "Top Hispanic Owned Businesses in America" survey. The research allows hispanic entrepreneurs to be identified and honored for their business achievements on a national and regional basis.

This year's survey will determine the Top 500 Hispanic Owned businesses in the United Sates.

To be a member of this elite group is indeed an honor. DiversityBusiness research has been recognized and published by the world's most preeminent publications including Forbes Magazine, Business Week and thousands of media outlets throughout the world. Honorees will be recognized at a special ceremony during the 12th Annual Business Conference taking place at the Foxwods Resort and Casino on April 25-27, 2012.

The national data collection effort is a massive undertaking. In order to participate, businesses must register by October 31, 2011 at www.DiversityBusiness.com/BusinessAwards.

All privately-owned businesses are encouraged to register. Previous recipients have become a highly respected source for Corporations, Government Agencies and Educational institutions who desire to increase opportunities with hispanic owned businesses.

DiversityBusiness is the nation's largest and most comprehensive online resources for privately owned businesses and large procurement organizations. It is a membership-based exchange platform that facilitates contacts and communication, streamlines business processes and provides vital business news and information. "Entrepreneurs are now a fundamental element of the business landscape in America", said Kenton Clarke, CEO of DiversityBusiness.com. "Our job is to provide full administrative and organizational support to our members at every stage of their business cycles. With DiversityBusiness behind them, companies can devote all energies to expanding their markets: publicizing their organization, negotiating contracts, and providing or receiving goods and services", said Clarke. We are dedicated to continually working toward a prosperous, nationwide business community. Our mission is to provide a powerful nationwide platform for the expansion of privately-owned business opportunities.

About DiversityBusiness.com

Launched in 1999, DiversityBusiness is the largest association of privately owned businesses throughout the United States that provide goods and services to Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, and colleges and universities. DiversityBusiness provides research and data collection services for diversity including the "Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities", "Top 500 Diversity Owned Companies in America", and others. Its research has been recognized and published by Forbes Magazine, Business Week and thousands of other print and internet publications. The site has gained national recognition and has won numerous awards for its content and design. DiversityBusiness reaches more diverse suppliers and communicates more information to them on a more frequent basis then all other organizations combined. We also communicate with mainstream businesses, government agencies and educational institutions with information related to diversity. Our magazine reaches over 300,000 readers, a monthly e-newsletter that reaches 2.4 million, and website visitors of 1.2 million a month. It is a leading provider of Supplier Diversity management tools and has the most widely distributed Diversity magazine in the United States. DiversityBusiness.com is produced by Computer Consulting Associates International Inc. (CCAii.com) of Southport, CT. Founded in 1980.

Hispanic Public Relations Association® honors Industry's Best and awards Scholarships at 27th Annual PRemio Awards

2011-10-22T15:11:00.000-04:00

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 10, 2011 -- /PRNewswire/ -- The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA), the leading non-profit organization founded to advance the careers of Hispanics in the field of communications, celebrated an evening of excellence at its 27th Annual PRemio Awards and Scholarships Gala held Thursday, October 6, 2011 in Los Angeles, CA. The organization awarded scholarships to students entering the communications field, honored Hispanic industry leaders, and the best in Hispanic public relations campaigns.

HPRA presented $11,000 in scholarships to five Southern California Hispanic students pursuing a career in Public Relations and related communications fields.

Adriana Maciel de Guillen – Cal State University, Dominguez Hills

Amber Varnes – Cal State University, Fullerton

Gladys Santos – Cal State University, Fullerton

Paula Duran – Cal State University, Northridge

Rudy Raya – Sacramento State University

Amber Varnes received the Esther Renteria Community Service Award for her community service involvement. This special recognition is given in memory of industry leader and community activist Esther Renteria, co-founder of the National Hispanic Media Coalition and a former HPRA president.

This year's Public Relations Professional honorees were Angela Sustaita-Ruiz and Manny Ruiz, co-founders of Hispanicize and Hispanic PR Blog, for their work in helping advance the Hispanic PR industry. Goya Foods was presented with the Corporation of the Year award for 75 years of commitment to the U.S. Hispanic market. Other honorees included: Young PR Professional Denisse Montalvan of Ketchum and Journalist Hector Tobar, columnist with the Los Angeles Times.

The event honored national campaigns showing excellence in Hispanic Public Relations with the coveted Campaign of the Year PRemio. The winners were:

Non-Profit: Lopez Negrete Communications for the first mariachi opera, "Houston Grand Opera's Cruzar la Cara de la Luna"

Food and Beverage: "Honey Purity" - RL Public Relations for its work with the National Honey Board

Technology: Edelman for "Kinetic for Xbox 360"

Public Education – Corporation: VPE Public Relations & McDonald's® for its work on "Expanding McDonald's® Hispanic Education Initiative"

Integrated Marketing Communications: RL Public Relations & Conill for their work with Toyota on "Somos Muchos Latinos. Somos Muchos Toyota"

Non-Profit Media Event: RL Public Relations for "Getty Museum Aztec Exhibition"

Corporate Media Event: The Jeffrey Group & Fox Hispanic Media for its "Latino Entertainment. American Attitude" campaign

Non-Profit: Public Education: Torres Marquez Communications for One Arizona for "Building Latino Political Power in Arizona"

Healthcare: "LIVESTRONG Hispanic/Latino Outreach" by LIVESTRONG & Edelman

Fashion & Beauty: Edelman Multicultural for "Suave Professionals: Desfilando Contigo"

Digital Public Relations: Reyes Entertainment for "The Longoria Affair"

The evening was hosted by KNBC anchor Mekahlo Medina and made possible by sponsors RL Public Relations + Marketing; Sportivo; Wells Fargo; Goya Foods; Walt Disney Co.; Southern California Edison; Ketchum; VPE Public Relations; Edelman; Axis Agency; Union Bank; Bank of the West; Staples; Southern California Gas Co.; KNBC; and HPRA's official newswire distribution partner PR Newswire.

About Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA)

HPRA was founded in 1984 as a non-profit organization to establish a network of Hispanics employed in the public relations profession. With more than 300 members (LA and NY), HPRA represents public relations, marketing and advertising professionals from agencies, government, non-profit and corporate companies. HPRA is dedicated to the advancement of Hispanic professionals and provides educational seminars and programs throughout the year. The organization has awarded more than $233,000 in scholarships to Hispanic students pursuing a career in communications. For more information please visit www.hpra-usa.org.

SOURCE Hispanic Public Relations Association

Being bilingual can open more doors for job-seekers

2011-10-22T14:59:00.000-04:00

Oct 20, 2011 | by Danielle Seamon

A recent report from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects the employment of US translators and interpreters to increase 22 percent between 2008 and 2018. As domestic jobs begin to outsource and branch internationally due to the affects of globalization, employers are seeking the means to break the language barrier.

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Hispanic chamber honors small business owners

2011-10-22T14:55:00.000-04:00

Oct 20, 2011 | by Sara Higgins

More than 100 small business owners gathered at the Hilton Midland Plaza on Thursday for the Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's 26th annual meeting and business awards banquet.

This year also marked the 10th year of the organization's Incubator Small Business Program, which counsels and works with entrepreneurs as they launch their small businesses. Thirteen business owners have graduated from the program, said Rachel Stone, the chamber's CEO and president, and another 10 are working their way toward graduation.

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National experts to discuss Hispanic population trends and their impact on higher education Hispanic Scholarship Fund also to induct five new members into Alumni Hall of Fame

2011-10-22T14:46:00.000-04:00

NEW YORK CITY- With the U.S. Census showing a young Hispanic population growing even faster than expected, the implications for the nation's higher education system and overall economy have never been more imperative.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the nation's leading Hispanic higher education fund, will hold in-depth conversations about these opportunities during its Education Summit on Monday, Oct. 24. HSF will also recognize the new class of Obama Scholars, those students receiving scholarships supported by President Obama with funds he received when he won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

The Summit will be followed in the evening by the induction of new members of HSF's Alumni Hall of Fame-those who've benefited from investments in scholarships in the past and are leaders today in their fields.

WHAT:

Education Summit (Presented by Wells Fargo)

Guy Garcia, President and CEO, Mentametrix, "The New Mainstream"

Mark Lopez, Pew Hispanic Center, "Hispanic Education Trends"

Doug Darfield, Nielsen Marketing, "College Dreams for Hispanics"

Alumni Hall of Fame (Diamond Sponsors: Walmart and Wells Fargo)

2011 Inductees

Gary Trujillo, Chairman and Founder, Be a Leader Foundation Brigida Benitez, Chief, Office of Institutional Integrity, Inter-American Development Bank Vincent Cordero, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Fox Deportes Lorena Gonzalez, Ph.D., Director of Hispanic Initiatives, Urban Strategies Rosie Rios, Treasurer of the United States, Department of the Treasury

WHERE:

The Plaza Hotel

768 5th Avenue

New York City

WHEN:

Education Summit 1:30-4:00 p.m.

Alumni Hall of Fame 7:30-9:30 p.m.

About the Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund believes that the country prospers when all Americans have access to the opportunities a college education can afford. As the nation's leading Hispanic higher education fund, HSF works to address the barriers that keep many Latinos from earning a college degree. HSF has awarded over $330 million in scholarships over the past 36 years and has supported a broad range of outreach and education programs to help students and their families navigate collegiate life, from gaining admission and securing financial aid to finding employment after graduation. HSF envisions a future where every Latino household will have at least one college graduate, creating an enduring impact on the college outlook of Latino families nationwide, and strengthening the American economy for generations to come. For more information about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund please visit: www.HSF.net

SOURCE HSF

Do your organization's employees know what they can and cannot say on Facebook and other social media?

2011-10-21T11:29:00.000-04:00

Oct 20, 2011 | by Michael Brito

The National Labor Relations Board released a report in August on workplace usage of social media. It determined that employees can't be fired for what they say on social media as long as they use their chosen platform to talk about improving their workplace.

The ruling stemmed from an incident last year, when an employee from the non-profit Hispanic United of Buffalo, which provides social services to people with low incomes, complained about a co-worker on her Facebook wall, accusing the co-worker of slacking off at the office.

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"DonBuguito": San Francisco pioneer Insect Cuisine

2011-10-21T10:23:00.000-04:00

Oct 19, 2011

Mónica Martínez bills her Don Bugito food truck as a "pre-Hispanic snackeria." A 36-year-old Mexican immigrant with high cheekbones and raven hair, Martínez doesn't have a chef's résumé. She studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and is, at best, a journeyman cook. Yet her fare benefits from a few authentic, and unusual, ingredients.

The San Francisco resident's tacos are built on handmade tortillas of blue corn masa, and topped with pasilla chiles and a sauce of cilantro, mint, and parsley. Then there's the traditional element that most distinguishes her food.

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United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce partners with BidSync for Government Business Opportunities

2011-10-19T19:10:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Government bid notification leader, BidSync, connects USHCC with government bid, RFP and contract opportunities

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) has announced a new partner today, BidSync, a national leader in government bid notifications. This partnership will help USHCC members across the country gain access to tens of thousands of government bid, RFP and contract opportunities.

"The USHCC exists to help Hispanic Business Enterprise develop and prosper," said Javier Palomarez, USHCC president and chief executive officer. "Despite the fact Hispanic businesses have experienced a growth rate of 114 percent in the last five years, they continue to struggle in securing access to capital and contracts. The partnership with BidSync will provide valuable, easy-to-use resources to help Hispanic companies gain access to new business opportunities and new capital for sustainable growth."

USHCC members will receive special discounts to BidSync Links PLUS, where they will receive daily reports of new government bids, RFPs and government contract opportunities via email, fax or text message. BidSync Links PLUS delivers detailed information on approximately one million opportunities per year. This will enable Hispanic companies to instantly connect with a network of cities, counties, states and other government agencies that are looking for the products and services they provide.

Because of the volume of opportunities BidSync delivers, companies set up a profile where they receive customized reports with daily opportunities that are relevant to their business. They can also easily track and manage the contracts they win in the system.

"Hispanic companies of all types stand to benefit from this new partnership," said Sabrina Stover, CEO of BidSync. "Whether they are looking to land new IT contracts, win more construction bids, capture engineering RFPs, or to supply commodities, BidSync delivers the latest bid opportunities. Furthermore, we directly align with the USHCC's mission by providing both the accessibility and visibility that is needed to foster business growth. This partnership enables Hispanic businesses to access thousands of opportunities they would have otherwise missed out on. It also helps these businesses become more visible to the government agencies that need their products and services."

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of CommerceFounded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that combined generate in excess of $420 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers and business associations in the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.ushcc.com .

About BidSyncBidSync provides the largest bid notification system in North America, enabling suppliers and vendors to identify, respond to and potentially win more bid opportunities. BidSync Links PLUS(TM) delivers bid notifications directly to users via email, text or fax from thousands of government agencies including cities, counties, states, school districts, universities and more. The BidSync team of researchers and proprietary bid search software matches subscribers with more than 80,000 bids each month with daily bid reports tailored to subscribers' products and services. For more information about BidSync, visit www.bidsync.com or call 800-990-9339.

SOURCE United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

IFRS Foundation Conference: São Paulo

2011-10-18T07:46:00.005-04:00

27th - 28th October 2011, Tivoli São Paulo - Mofarrej, Brazil

10% discount offer – quote VIP Code: FKW52247P3LV

Simultaneous translation (English, Portuguese and Spanish) will be provided in all sessions.

Attend this conference to:

• Gain a deeper understanding of the thinking behind the IASB projects

• Get an update on the IASB’s response to the global financial crisis

• Hear about the future direction of financial reporting

• Plus benefit from IFRS implementation sessions:

1. IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

2. Recognition

3. IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements

IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements and

IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities

4. Leases for Lessees & Lessors

And Breakout sessions:

1. Emissions trading

2. Presentation and disclosure issues

3. Liabilities

4. Conceptual Framework

The conference also offers half-day special interest sessions held immediately before the main conference covering issues relevant to your circumstances:

1. Extractive activities

2. The IFRS for SMEs

3. IFRS Implementation update

4. IFRS measurements

For latest programme & to register to attend the conference, please visit the website.

Don’t forget to claim your 10% discount.

VIP Code: FKW52247P3LV

Web: http://www.informaglobalevents.com/FKW52247P3LV

Tel: +44 (0)20 7017 5509

Fax: +44 (0)20 7017 7824

Email registration@ifrs-conference.org

SOURCE IFRS Foundation

Store owner and social activist Macario Ramirez keeps traditions of Dia de los Muertos alive

2011-10-17T17:27:00.000-04:00

Oct 16, 2011 | by Chris Becker

Owned and operated by Macario Ramirez and wife Chrissie Dickerson Ramirez, Casa Ramirez FOLKART Gallery has celebrated and educated the public about Hispanic and Latino culture and art since the it was first established in the early 1980's. Mexico, Texas and other areas of the Southwest are represented in their collection of affordable, often locally crafted art, clothing, and jewelry.

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Hispanic firms at expo, job fair stress need to grow

2011-10-17T09:05:00.000-04:00

Oct 15, 2011 | by Jon Chavez

When Vicente Sanchez Ventura arrived in Detroit in 2006, "Business was one of the most important topics when I got here."

As the newly appointed consul of Mexico based in Detroit, Mr. Sanchez Ventura said it was his job to attract more business to his country. In 2008, he helped open a business incubator office of TechBa, a program sponsored by the Ministry of Economy of Mexico and the United States-Mexico Foundation for Science, to support 14 small and medium-sized auto sector companies. Today, the Michigan TechBa office oversees 40 companies.

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Director of the SBA Metropolitan Area District Office to Address Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Members and 8(a) Certified Companies

2011-10-17T08:56:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bridget Bean, Director of the Small Business Administration's Washington Metropolitan Area District Office will be the keynote speaker of a business reception with 8(a) Certified Companies, hosted by the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC).

The 8(a) Business Development Program exists to help small, disadvantaged businesses to compete. "This program opens doors for minority-owned local companies to gain access to the federal market," Bridget Bean states. "Furthermore, 8(a) certified firms increase their chances in obtaining government contracts by teaming up with other companies. There are many success stories to celebrate and our office will continue working towards creating many more."

This is the third year that GWHCC and the SBA local office have collaborated to celebrate the success of 8(a) Certified companies in the region. "Our annual reception with 8(a) companies is one of the key networking opportunities that the Chamber brings to our members," Angela Franco, GWHCC President & CEO affirms. "Thriving 8(a) companies and the entrepreneurs that drive their success are a source of inspiration for others looking forward to growing their companies. We are very pleased to join forces with the SBA Washington Office once again to promote the building of meaningful business connections."

The Chamber would like to thank event sponsor Lanigan, Ryan Malcolm & Doyle, P.C., a consulting and CPA firm, for their support in making this event possible. "Our 8(a) clients derive great benefit from the SBA's 8(a) program," David Malcolm, founding partner at the firm comments. "Bridget Bean's team is a crucial resource for 8(a) entrepreneurs as they grow their businesses and prosper."

The reception will be held on Wednesday, October 19th at 6:00 p.m. at the Dupont Circle Hotel (1500 New Hampshire Ave NW) in Washington, DC. To learn more about this event, please visit www.gwhcc.org.

About the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a membership driven organization that supports the economic development of the Greater Washington metropolitan area by facilitating the success of Latino and other minority-owned businesses and the communities they serve through networking, advocacy, education and access to capital. The Chamber was founded in 1976 and is a 501(C) 6 organization. For additional information visit our website www.gwhcc.org

SOURCE Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Brandman University honors Hispanic Heritage Month

2011-10-17T08:21:00.000-04:00

Irvine, CA (PRWEB) October 16, 2011 | By 2018, 61 percent of jobs in California will require a college degree, but where does that leave the 84 percent of working California Hispanics over the age of 25 who do not have a degree?

With 28 percent of their undergraduate student population of Hispanic descent,Brandman University affords new opportunities for working California Hispanics to obtain a college degree. In fact, Brandman University reports that 70 percent of its Hispanic undergraduate students graduate within six years as compared 68 percent of white students who graduate in the same time period*. These figures contrast with a recent study of national graduation completion rates that indicate 51 percent of Hispanic students versus 59 percent of white students graduate in six years*.

Anna Lopez enrolled in psychology classes at Brandman University with the ambition to advance her career path by launching a program that would encourage at-risk youth to pursue their college dreams. She discovered that Brandman's unique blended approach of online and onground scheduling allowed college to fit into her busy lifestyle. The university caters to the working adult and offers a broad array of student services that helped her succeed. Lopez's dedication and perseverance emulates this year's Hispanic Heritage Month theme "Many Backgrounds, Many Stories... One American Spirit."

Unfortunately not everyone in her family was supportive. Her Mexican-American grandmother accused Anna of forcing her family to make great sacrifices. "She told me I should be taking care of my family, not going to school." Anna said. "You already have a job," she said. But I wanted more for myself and my children."

According to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), 11.6 percent of Hispanics have committed to returning to college. However, several studies indicate that Hispanic students face unique risks and challenges in higher education, i.e., family ties that impel them to prioritize others' desires and economic challenges due to their traditionally lower earnings. Despite the strides Hispanics have made, including a 24 percent rise in enrollment in higher education institutions for students ages 18-24, only 19 percent of Hispanic adults ages 25-64 have a college degree, while 42 percent of white adults do. The National Center for Education Statistics has also reported that the majority of Hispanic college students work full time and at least 80 percent work part time.

Despite the odds, Lopez forged ahead on her new career path. She even established The Psych Club to create a network of Brandman students with mutual interests and professional goals.

Her sacrifices were rewarded when she recently made the honors list, and her grandmother told her how proud she was. And if imitation is truly the greatest form of flattery, Lopez was complemented several times over when four family members decided to pursue their degrees as well.

About Brandman University

Brandman University is a private, non-profit institution accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Established in 1958 and a part of the Chapman University System, Brandman blends a legacy of academic excellence with progressive, innovative curriculum and strong support services designed for working professionals. The university serves more than 10,000 students annually in 52 undergraduate, graduate, credential, and certificate programs in arts and sciences, business, education and health, both offered online and through 26 campuses in California and Washington. For more information, visit www.brandman.edu or call 800-746-0379.

SOURCE Brandman University

Monica Lozano names "Media Executive of The Year"

2011-10-14T10:15:00.000-04:00

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 13, 2011 - impreMedia, the leading Hispanic news and information company, announced today that its CEO, Monica Lozano has received the prestigious “Media Executive of The Year” award, presented by hispanicad.com at this year’s Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA) conference in Miami, Florida.

“I am extremely proud to have been selected by my peers as the Media Executive of the Year. This is a time of great transformation, and opportunity, for our company as we fully integrate online, video, mobile, social, direct and content marketing into our media offerings. Anchored by our strong brands and quality content, we are uniquely positioned to engage with Hispanic consumers,” remarked Lozano.

Monica Lozano, CEO of impreMedia was elected from a list of nineteen nominees by media professionals, ad agency executives and recognized authorities in Hispanic media. The 2011 AHAA Conference was attended by some of the nation’s top Hispanic media leaders, executives and agencies. Present at the Awards luncheon were representatives of Univision, NBC Universal, Nielsen, CNN en Español, Terra, Accento, Hispanic Market Weekly and Yahoo en Español (partial list).

Lozano, was also recently named by Adweek Magazine as one of the top Hispanic media executives in the country along with other influential leaders in U.S. Hispanic media.

Lozano holds over 25 years of experience in Spanish-language media and is a recognized authority in the Hispanic media industry. She serves on both corporate and non-profit boards and has won numerous awards and recognitions for her work.

About HispanicAd.com

HispanicAd.com provides news and information, including photos and data from the USA, Latin America and the Caribbean. It's information put together by Hispanics for our Industry. HispanicAd.com features regular contests and an abundance of reader forums, polls and other feedback opportunities. For more information visit: http://www.hispanicad.com.

About AHAA

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in McLean, VA, the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA) is the national organization of Hispanic-owned and-managed firms united to promote the growth and strength of the Hispanic marketing and advertising industry to the private and public sectors. AHAA is raising awareness of the value of the Hispanic market's many opportunities while enhancing the professionalism of the industry. AHAA agencies lead the industry with collective capitalized billings exceeding $5 billion - more than 90 percent of the entire U.S. Hispanic advertising industry. Only AHAA agencies have the blend of cultural understanding, market knowledge, proven experience and professional resources that make them uniquely qualified to communicate with Hispanic consumers. These capabilities and skills offer the potential for Hispanic market success that's available nowhere else.

About impreMedia

impreMedia is the leading Hispanic news and information company in the U.S. in online and print. impreMedia's multi-platform offerings range from online to video, social media, mobile, audio, newspapers and magazines, including the http://www.impre.com portal. 25% of U.S. Hispanic adults use an impreMedia network product. The network is also the nation's largest Hispanic newspaper publisher with newspapers in top U.S. Hispanic markets, reaching 15 markets total that represent 59% of the U.S. Hispanic population. Its leading publications include La Opinión in Los Angeles and El Diario La Prensa in New York. For more information, visit: http://www.impremedia.com.

SOURCE impreMedia

N.J.-based Goya Foods expects to create 175 jobs

2011-10-13T19:33:00.000-04:00

Oct 12, 2011 | by Margaret Morgan

Tuesday in Trenton, The Board of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved an award to Goya Foods under the Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit Program to encourage the company to remain and grow in New Jersey.

With support from the New Jersey Partnership for Action, led by Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, the nation’s largest Hispanic-owned food company may expand operations to a new $127 million warehouse and distribution center in Jersey City, preserving more than 315 jobs and creating an estimated 175 new, permanent positions in the state.

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10 career enhancing social networking site

2011-10-13T15:09:00.000-04:00

Social networking sites were originally created to connect people, but today’s sites do so much more. Everyone knows that successful careers are built on who you know. So, whether you’re looking for a new job or just wanting to move up in your field, these ten sites can help you move forward.

LinkedIn –

Facebook –

Twitter –

Classmates –

DeviantART –

MyLife –

LiveJournal –

MySpace –

Perfspot –

Ecademy –

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Guide to Nevada's Hispanic businesses started

2011-10-11T18:47:00.000-04:00

Oct 10, 2011 | by Caitlin McGarry

The University of Nevada, Reno's Small Business Development Center recently launched an online guide to Hispanic businesses in the state, www.hispanicbusinessnevada.com.

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IMS advances the most innovative media projects of Latin America in the Media Accelerator Program

2011-10-10T22:48:00.000-04:00

MIAMI, October 10, 2011 – IMS Internet Media Services, Inc., a leading digital marketing company for the Latin American market, is organizing the first Media Accelerator Program (MAP) as part of the Festival of Media LatAm, held October 12-14 at the Loews Hotel in Miami. As the final stage in this competition, seven emerging companies selected from among candidates throughout the region will present their business models before 750 leading executives in the media market, and the winner will be honored as the “Festival of Media LatAm Hot Company of The Year.”

Together with C-Squared, the Festival organizers, IMS has launched MAP with the objective of promoting the emergence of novel projects in the Latin American media market, focusing on innovation as a key part of their strategy to deliver greater value to advertisers. The seven finalist companies were selected from among startups in the entire region; each is a company with less than three years experience that is trying to deepen the positioning of innovative products and services at the regional level.

During the final day of the Festival, October 14, the seven finalists will present their proposals to the entire Festival delegation - a senior professional audience with strong influence on regional media budgets. One of the finalists will be selected “Festival of Media Latam Hot Company of The Year” and will have access to a series of private meetings with leading agencies and brands. The winner will also receive two invitations to the Festival of Media Global 2012.

The judges’ panel represents the depth and diversity of the whole Latin America media market. It is composed of Pedro Cabral, CEO of Aegis Latin America; Alexandre Hohagen, Facebook VP Latam; Luke Stertz, International Marketing Manager of Netflix; and Andrés Otero, Partner in GroupArgent.

“There are many talented emerging companies that are advancing our industry,” said Gaston Taratuta, CEO of IMS. “A platform such as MAP provides the visibility that startups need while educating senior decision makers on the opportunities and innovations occurring in our own region.”

These are the seven finalists that will participate in the final stage of the Media Accelerator Program with the chance to be selected “Festival of Media Latam Hot Company of The Year”:

HUNT Mobile Ads – www.HUNTmads.com

Vurbia Technologies International – www.vurbia.com

Kontextua – www.kontextua.net

Frenys – www.frenys.com

vFound – www.vfound.com.ar

Redemobi – www.redemobi.com.br

KidBox – www.kidbox.net

About IMS Internet Media Services, Inc.

IMS Internet Media Services is the leading independent company for marketing and for digital and print advertising with experience in Latin American and Brazilian markets. Operating for more than six years, with headquarters in Miami and satellite offices in Argentina, Brazil, México, and Chile, IMS has a highly qualified professional team with vast experience in Latin America, offering unique solutions for agency purchase of online and traditional media. Through its main service, white label agency business, IMS is a strategic partner for agencies in the purchase and execution of media campaigns, efficiently fulfilling time and cost requirements. With its subsidiaries, 10 MIDIA and Adnetwork.net, providing strategic advertising campaigns and business development, IMS offers a comprehensive range of media services. For more information, contact us at pressims@imscorporate.com or visit www.imscorporate.com

SOURCE: IMS

Hispanic Chamber marks 10-year anniversary of Incubator Program

2011-10-10T22:40:00.000-04:00

Oct 10, 2011 | by Kathleen Thurber

Walking through the hall of the Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, CEO and President Rachel Stone paused between the doorways of two small businesses and said they’ve become like a family.

The start-up businesses are housed within the chamber’s facility while they’re part of the Incubator Program -- which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year -- and work with the chamber staff and small business counselors as they launch what ideally will become independent, profitable businesses.

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20 Essential TED Talks for Entrepreneurial Students

2011-10-10T13:22:00.000-04:00

By BachelorsDegreeOnline

Although a strong education is by no means a requirement for business acumen or success, many still saunter off to college and further hone what they've already got. Those walking on or logging onto campus with visions of profits and genius dancing in their heads shouldn't relegate their learning within those boundaries exclusively. They should drink up any potentially valuable insight they can, and the venerable TED offers up one such conduit. One of the world's most beloved and stimulating repositories for human knowledge available, it certainly explodes with amazing business, marketing and inventing advice. Try a few of these for starters!

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Hispanic owner of Paterson company wins small business award

2011-10-08T19:37:00.000-04:00

Oct 06, 2011 | by Richard Newman

Paterson small-business owner Odilo Vazquez, 66, emigrated from Galicia, Spain, to Newark more than 40 years ago to pursue the American dream. He earned a bachelor's degree from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken and went on to earn master's and doctorate degrees in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.

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LatPro’s Hispanic & Bilingual Job Fair Returns to Dallas

2011-10-07T12:02:00.000-04:00

Dallas, TX, October 06, 2011 --(PR.com)-- LatPro and the National Society for Hispanic Professionals are seeking skilled Hispanic and bilingual professionals as well as those with other multicultural skills to attend a career fair at the Crowne Plaza Hotel – Dallas Market Center on Thursday, October 27th from 10am-3pm.

The career fair is designed to help jobseekers with multilingual and multicultural skills connect with diversity-conscious employers who are seeking those valuable skills which allow them to maintain their competitive position in the global marketplace.

“More than 43% of Dallas' population is Hispanic or Latino, making Dallas a prime location for the recruitment of professionals with Spanish-language abilities,” said event manager, Ricardo Villalba. “We are happy to return to the Dallas area again this year because we are passionate about connecting great Hispanic talent with the many professional-level jobs available with prestigious employers in the area.”

Jobseekers attending the 2011 Dallas Diversity Career Fair will have the opportunity to meeting representatives from prestigious employers including Pepsi Beverages Company, Chipotle, Parkland Health and the IRS.

Upcoming Events on the LatPro Career Fair Schedule

Dallas - Crowne Plaza Hotel - Dallas Market Center, October 27, 2011

Los Angeles - Hilton Los Angeles Airport, November 16, 2011

Houston - Westin Galleria, February 23, 2012

Chicago - Lakeview Terrace at Chicago Navy Pier, March 29, 2012

New York - Metropolitan Pavilion, April 11, 2012

Admission is free for all job seekers. Professional dress required.

Jobseekers can pre-register at: http://network.nshp.org/events/dallas-job-fair-2

About LatPro.com

Established in 1997, LatPro is the worldwide leader in online employment resources for Hispanic and bilingual professionals. With 95 of the Fortune 100 companies using its award-winning service, the LatPro.com site (available in English, Spanish and Portuguese) is the premier career destination for Latino and bilingual professionals throughout the U.S. and Latin America. LatPro also hosts a career focused social network where the company welcomes all career experts and job seekers.

About The National Society for Hispanic Professionals

The National Society for Hispanic Professionals (NSHP), a non-profit organization with more than 20,000 registered members, works to empower Hispanic professionals with connections, networking and leadership opportunities, as well as information on education, scholarships, careers and entrepreneurship. NSHP seeks to ensure the inclusion of Hispanics in corporate America at a level commensurate with the representation of Hispanic Americans within our communities.

SOURCE LatPro Inc

President Obama on Hispanic Heritage Month

2011-10-05T18:44:00.000-04:00

Oct 05, 2011 | A proclamation by the President of the United States of America:

From those who trace their roots to America’s earliest days to those who recently came to the United States carrying nothing but hope for a better life, Hispanics have always been integral to our national story. As an American family more than 300 million strong, we constitute one people, sharing sacrifice and prosperity because we know we rise and fall together. America is a richer and more vibrant country because of the contributions of Hispanics, and during National Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the immeasurable impact they have made on our Nation.

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MillerCoors prepares to award $150,000 to small business owners, extends application deadline

2011-10-04T19:46:00.000-04:00

CHICAGO, Oct. 4, 2011 -- /PRNewswire/ -- MillerCoors has extended the deadline for application to the MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneurs Series, (MUES) which provides aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to win a portion of $150,000. For more than ten years, the MUES program has supported entrepreneurs and has become a staple in the business community.

"This competition is well worth the challenge," said Rex Wills, 2009 $100,000 winner. "Both the prize money and feedback can help set the foundation for your business. If you plan on entering the competition and want a chance at the $150,000 prize pool make sure to get your plan written and reviewed early. You definitely don't want to miss out."

Aspiring entrepreneurs are encouraged to submit their business plans by Friday, October 28, 2011 at noon, CST. The MUES competition is open to participants ages 21 and older and whose business enterprise is not older than five years. All entries must be submitted to www.MillerCoorsMUES.com. Winners can also potentially become a qualified MillerCoors supplier.

"At MillerCoors, we know that jobs are needed to build great communities. We want to do our part to empower small business development, which is helping to drive our economy," said Larry Waters, director of multicultural relations for MillerCoors. "The MUES program is a resource for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. Through this competition, entrepreneurs compete for much-needed capital to fuel and grow their businesses."

In addition to the MUES competition, MillerCoors declared August 1 through 5 as "National Urban Entrepreneurs Week," hosting a variety of activities to inform budding entrepreneurs on how to write an award-winning business plan. The week's activities included a Twitter party with Black Enterprise's editor-at-large, Alfred A. Edmonds, Jr., and the launch of a new Webinar video series "Business Plan Essentials."

Announced earlier this year, the 2011 winners continue the rich legacy of diverse and progressive companies with services ranging from energy audits to a shared kitchen and catering service and electronic point-of-sale software. Rising to the top this year were five dynamic businesses that won a total of $150,000 in business grants. The grand prize winners, Nikhil Aurora and Alejandro Velez of BTTR Ventures LLC took home the top prize of $50,000. Other grant winners were Quianna Lloyd of Barazzo™, Terethia Waller of The Benson Mills Group, LLC., Jerome Young of Attract Jobs NOW, and Nancy Nkansah of Ncapsul who each won $25,000.

For more information, helpful resources for developing a business plan and the official rules and requirements of the MUES Business Plan Competition, visit www.MillerCoorsMUES.com

Several business organizations support the MUES program, including the Atlanta Business League, the Chicago Urban League, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Dallas, the National Association of Asian American Professionals, the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and additional local chambers and chapters of the Urban League.

About MillerCoors

MillerCoors brews, markets and sells the MillerCoors portfolio of brands in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Built on a foundation of great beer brands and nearly 300 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers. MillerCoors is the second-largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment. Miller Lite is the great-tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to Rocky Mountain cold refreshment. MillerCoors brews premium beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft, and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. The company also offers innovative products such as MGD 64, Miller Chill and Sparks. Tenth and Blake Beer Company, MillerCoors new craft and import company, imports Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell and Grolsch and features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel's craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and two microbreweries, the 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver. MillerCoors vision is to create the best beer company in America by driving profitable industry growth. MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company.

SOURCE MillerCoors

Forum shows strenght of Hispanic entrepreneurship

2011-10-02T18:33:00.000-04:00

DODGE CITY, Sep 30, 2011 (The Garden City Telegram - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) - When local business owner Rosie Rodriguez-Swick took a risk to open her own salon, the Garden City resident said she took a "leap of faith".

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Innovation is a collective phenomenon

2011-09-30T16:55:00.000-04:00

By Silvina Moschini | CEO & Founder | Intuic | The Social Media Agency

We live in a world of rapid and radical change. If we pause just for one second to notice what is going on around us, we will realize that many of the tools we use daily did not even exist a couple of years ago. For us who work in media and communications, especially online, this is second nature; anticipating change and accommodating innovation are facts of life.

We rarely stop to think about how innovation occurs. What produces paradigm shifts that change our environments at once and forever? If we analyze the intellectual leaps in humanity’s evolution, we will find that many of them are connected to exceptional persons whose names are etched in history: Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, Henry Ford, Albert Einstein, and our contemporaries Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. This confronts us with an important question: Is the lone genius or brilliant creator essential to promote change?

This was among the questions addressed recently at the IMS Executive Program at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. During the four-day conference, major Latin American media executives gathered to reflect on this and related subjects. A question present in every conference room was how to produce innovations that would add value to media marketing strategies. In this context, I heard an inspiring answer from Jonathan Mildenhall, Coca Cola’s Creative Vice President.

Mildenhall, a leader of probably the most important consumer product company in the world, made a statement that could not go unnoticed—that innovation is the responsibility of a group, not of just a few persons. He said that to generate change in patterns of thinking, you do not have to wait for a genius to deliver magic solutions. On the contrary, interdisciplinary teams are required that can attack issues from multiple perspectives and collectively produce novel solutions.

“It is really important that executives become aware of the need to continue their education, to stay curious, and to remain open to new things emerging in the industry,” Mildenhall emphasized during his lecture at Stanford. But above all, he pointed out it is essential to share experiences among different regions in the world and be exposed to different ways of thinking and problem solving if we want to facilitate change and nurture creative perspectives.

In an era when online media invite us to take advantage of collaboration, and where the flow of information around the world is richer than ever before, encountering activities such as this one, promoted by IMS Corporate, is encouraging. Gathering agencies, brands, and publishers in the same place so that together they can contemplate pathways for innovation and creative change in the media market put Mildenhall’s words into action.

About IMS Internet Media Services, Inc.

IMS Internet Media Services is the leading independent company for marketing and for digital and print advertising, with experience in Latin American and Brazilian markets. Operating for more than six years, with headquarters in Miami and satellite offices in Argentina, Brazil, México, and Chile, IMS has a highly qualified professional team with vast experience in Latin America, offering unique solutions for agency purchase of online and traditional media. Through its main service, white label agency business, IMS is a strategic partner for agencies in the purchase and execution of media campaigns, efficiently fulfilling time and cost requirements. With subsidiaries, 10 MIDIA and Adnetwork.net, providing strategic advertising campaigns and business development, IMS offers a comprehensive range of media services. For more information, contact us at pressims@imscorporate.com or visit www.imscorporate.com

The Aspen Institute and Citi to study innovative credit building model for entrepreneurs

2011-09-29T08:27:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON, Sep 28, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Aspen Institute announced today the launch of the Asset Building Through Credit pilot program, a research effort that will study a multi-dimensional approach to building credit and financial opportunities for aspiring low-income entrepreneurs. The pilot program will study whether financial education and coaching combined with an innovative secured credit card platform can increase credit scores and expand the small businesses of more than 600 low-income entrepreneurs in five markets nationwide. The study is funded by a $750,000 grant from the Citi Foundation.

In connection with the study, Aspen Institute's FIELD program (Microenterprise Fund for Innovation, Effectiveness, Learning and Dissemination) is making grants to five nonprofit microenterprise organizations that will provide financial coaching and education, along with access to a secured credit card, to microentrepreneurs whose credit profiles need strengthening to qualify for business financing. The Aspen Institute will also provide training, technical assistance, and a series of ongoing peer learning activities to support the pilot. A thorough evaluation and assessment of the program will determine if the approach is effective and scalable.

"One of the Citi Foundation's core goals is to increase the number of sustainable microenterprises that generate new income and employment opportunities for low- to moderate-income individuals," said Pamela Flaherty, President & CEO of the Citi Foundation. "Through our support of the Asset Building Through Credit program, we hope to analyze how community based intermediaries can advance that goal and drive widespread adoption of new approaches that will allow microentrepreneurs to obtain the financing they need to grow and succeed."

In today's economy, a good credit score is an important financial asset that allows small business owners to access resources and, in many instances, reduce operating costs. Over the past two years, high U.S. unemployment levels have led to an increase in the number of credit applications from individuals who are motivated to start their own businesses but whose damaged or thin credit histories make it challenging for even community-based nonprofit microlenders to provide loans. Research has shown that the best way to expand financial capability and build (or rebuild) an individual's credit score is to pair appropriate financial products with education and counseling.

The initiative is based on a successful program led by Justine PETERSEN, a St. Louis-based microlender that has been offering secured cards to its microenterprise clients for almost two years. Citi Microfinance has collaborated with the organization to develop its credit building model and technology platform. Justine PETERSEN will play a key role in the Aspen Institute's pilot project by advising the participating nonprofits on how to use secured cards as a financial coaching and credit building tool.

"We know from conversations with microenterprise programs across the country that they are seeing increasing numbers of would-be entrepreneurs whose credit histories pose a challenge in building their businesses," says Elaine Edgcomb, Director of the FIELD program at the Aspen Institute. "This pilot will test a new approach that can help these entrepreneurs build their credit and their financial skills, and consequently increase their likelihood of business success. If successful, we hope this is an approach that many of the other hundreds of microenterprise organizations in the U.S. can offer."

The selected local partners each have longstanding experience in working with entrepreneurs, and in providing financial education and credit-building services to low-income individuals. They include:

Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity Inc. (CVOEO) and Central Vermont Community Action: These two Community Action Agencies serving rural Vermont each have over 20 years of experience teaching money management skills to the self-employed. Both agencies offer a wide range of credit- and asset-building services, including group training and individual coaching around credit, matched savings accounts, free tax preparation services, and credit clinics.

Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC):

LEDC has provided business training and microloans to a largely-Hispanic client base in the Washington DC area (including N. Virginia and Maryland) since 1997. Over the past several years LEDC has embedded credit advising and coaching as a core element of its microenterprise programming, with a strong focus on one-on-one coaching.

Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA):

San Francisco-based MEDA has worked to assist low-to-moderate income Latino families for build assets since its inception in 1973. MEDA's Business Development Program provides comprehensive technical assistance and training services and incorporates financial education with a focus on savings, debt and credit. In 2010, MEDA developed a targeted financial education and credit coaching program that will support its efforts to offer secured cards to its customers.

Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE):

With a long-standing history serving Pacific Asian and other diverse communities in Los Angeles county, the Business Development Center at PACE was founded in 1994. PACE's Financial Education and Asset Building Program (FE/AB) has provided a wide variety of training and individual counseling targeted at building credit since 2003.

Women's Brooklyn Enterprise Center (WBEC):

Affiliated with the Local Development Corporation of East New York, WBEC has provided entrepreneurial and financial education and technical assistance to women and minorities in Brooklyn since 1988. In 2002, WBEC began providing one-on-one counseling and financial education in conjunction with its business training.

Microenterprises are small businesses requiring $50,000 or less in start-up capital and employing five or fewer people. The entrepreneurs targeted by microenterprise organizations tend to be women, minorities, immigrants, low-income and/or individuals with disabilities. FIELD has been a leader in conducting research and providing funding aimed at driving innovation in the U.S. microenterprise field since 1998. Additional information about the pilot and the participating organizations is available at: http://fieldus.org/index.html .

About the Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute's mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs, and public conferences and events. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It also has an international network of partners.

About the Citi Foundation

The Citi Foundation is committed to the economic empowerment and financial inclusion of low- to moderate-income individuals and families in the communities where we work so that they can improve their standard of living. Globally, the Citi Foundation targets its strategic giving to priority focus areas: Microfinance, Enterprise Development, College Success, and Financial Capability and Asset Building. In the United States, the Citi Foundation also supports Neighborhood Revitalization programs. The Citi Foundation works with its partners in Microfinance, Enterprise Development, and Neighborhood Revitalization to support environmental programs and innovations. Additional information can be found at www.citifoundation.com .

About Citi

Citi, the leading global financial services company, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.

SOURCE: Citi

Renewing the American Dream: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by Helping Hispanic Businesses Grow

2011-09-26T18:16:00.000-04:00

September 24, 2011

As a Hispanic member of the Obama Administration, I am proud to join in the celebration of the Hispanic Heritage month, and hopefully be able to assist Hispanic business owners achieve their dreams of becoming successful entrepreneurs.

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Hispanics push for equality in Palm Beach County school district

2011-09-24T23:08:00.000-04:00

Sep 21, 2011 | PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. -- A group of Hispanic business and community leaders pack the Palm Beach County School board meeting Wednesday night.

They call themselves the Hispanic Education Coalition. The say the district has not done enough to attract and retain Hispanics for leadership and management jobs.

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Creating Black and Latino Innovators — STEM Education, But Not Just

2011-09-24T23:04:00.000-04:00

Sep 22, 2011 | by Joseph Miller

“There can be no understanding between the hand and the brain unless the heart acts as mediator.”

— Maria, from the film “Metropolis” (1927)

“Do what you love and success will follow.” That is the standard advice of career self-help books. But too few students are inspired to love science, technology, engineering and math (“STEM”), and the students most likely to major in non-STEM fields, are the students who are least able to afford it. But top technologists, most of whom are not African American or Latino, have risen through the ranks mastering both STEM and non-STEM disciplines.

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Immigrants source of growth

2011-09-24T20:43:00.000-04:00

Sep 22, 2011

Three Greater Cincinnati organizations that promote Hispanic business and cultural interests say the region should embrace immigration as a primary source of economic growth.

“The fact is, for a regional economy, the entrepreneurial spirit of immigrants is like having the wind at your back when you’re running.”

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3 ways to improve your Company’s social media architecture

2011-09-21T23:05:00.000-04:00

Sep 21, 2011 | by Joshua-Michéle Ross

While the pressures on large organizations to use social media have gone up, creating a social media presence has reached one-click simplicity. The result is a sprawling mess.

Take one look at the social media footprint of any large brand and you find dozens of social sites that lie abandoned with no active engagement. Many are redundant, fracturing the same potential audience into separate, so-called “communities.” And the bigger the organization, the bigger the problem. In one recent project, my company found our client had close to 150 Facebook pages, more than 65 YouTube channels and 100 Twitter feeds. Recent data from the Altimeter Group confirms the issue, with the average organization maintaining 178 social accounts.

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USHCC selects Small, Medium and Large Hispanic Chambers of the Year

2011-09-20T01:12:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Awards were given during USHCC 32nd Annual National Convention in Miami Beach

Today, the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) recognized three outstanding Hispanic chambers from across the country at the 2011 Chamber Awards Breakfast. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro addressed the audience, along with Antonio Mora of Good Morning America who emceed the event.

The Small, Medium and Large Chamber Award Winners were selected from Hispanic Chambers and Professional Trade Associations from cities throughout the country. They were judged on a variety of criteria including, leadership, community service and advocacy for local Hispanic enterprises.

"The success of the Hispanic business community in America is largely due to the strength, dedication and determination of our local chambers," says Javier Palomarez, USHCC President and CEO. "Today we recognize three chambers for their business acumen, and their instrumental efforts in helping create opportunities for businesses in their cities. This type of local leadership is what will drive national economic recovery."

The Small, Medium and Large Hispanic Chamber of the Year Awards honor accomplished Hispanic chambers of commerce that serve fewer than 249 members, between 250 and 499 members, and over 500 members, respectively.

The Small Hispanic Chamber of the Year Award was presented to the Irving Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC), led by Chamber President Asusena Resendiz. The IHCC was founded in 1998 and chartered in 2001 as a 501(c) 6 voluntary organization of dedicated individuals and businesses who have come together to advance the commercial, financial, educational and civic interests of the growing Hispanic Community in Irving. The mission of the IHCC is to serve as a resource center and forum to advocate for Hispanic and Minority owned businesses, as well as businesses seeking to serve the Hispanic market. To learn more about IHCC, visit www.IrvingHCC.com

The Medium Hispanic Chamber of the Year Award went to the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GPHCC), led by President & CEO Varsovia Fernandez. The GPHCC was established in 1990 by a committed group of Hispanic business professionals and individuals in response to the pressing need to create an organization that would respond to the various needs of the growing Hispanic business community. The GPHCC is a not-for-profit organization devoted to promoting the advancement and economic growth of Hispanic businesses and professionals in the greater Philadelphia region, through educational programs, and a broad range of services and special events. For more information about the GPHCC, visit www.philahispanicchamber.org .

The Large Hispanic Chamber of the Year Award was presented to the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCC), and President & CEO, Daniel Jara. The mission of the SHCC is to promote the continued growth and development of New Jersey business while upholding the highest standards of conduct and excellence. That mission is accomplished by helping members (both Hispanic and non-Hispanic) find expanded business opportunities - through networking and mutual support and encouraging, and facilitating mutually beneficial ties between the private and public sectors. To learn more about the SHCC, visit www.shccnj.org .

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that combined generate in excess of $400 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.ushcc.com .

SOURCE United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Hispanics Will Lead America Out of Recession

2011-09-20T01:04:00.000-04:00

Sep 19, 2011 | by Javier Palomarez & Mel Martinez

The prosperity of the American economy is heavily dependent on a solid foundation of small business. Hispanic entrepreneurs in particular have played an integral role in keeping the country afloat during the past decade. The growing call to create new opportunities for American workers will be answered by a surge of Hispanic business owners seeking to provide for their communities and families.

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2011 National Hispanic Month Theme: Many Backgrounds, Many Stories, One American Spirit

2011-09-17T17:45:00.000-04:00

Sept 17, 2011

United States of America has proclaimed National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 – October 15. In 1968, Public Law 90-468 authorized the president to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week each year. The 100th Congress enacted Public Law 100-402, which extended the observance from a week to a month. The annual observance is now a 31-day period beginning on September 15 and ending on October 15.

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Miami offers U.S. Hispanic chamber convention a ‘fantastic fusion’ of new Americana

2011-09-17T17:37:00.000-04:00

Sept 16, 2011 | by Luis Andres Gazitua

Miami has the honor of hosting the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 32nd Annual Convention and Business Expo next week.

This is important for Miami business owners because the convention provides them the opportunity to communicate and showcase their products and services to decision-makers and other Hispanic business owners from across the country. Miami is a natural fit for this event as it is the secure, established multicultural gateway for doing business throughout the Americas and the Caribbean.

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CKE Restaurants participates in US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce National Convention

2011-09-17T17:28:00.000-04:00

CARPINTERIA, Calif., Sep 16, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- CKE Restaurants, Inc. will present and exhibit at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 32nd-Annual National Convention & Business Expo in Miami, on September 18-21. More than 3000 people are expected at this annual event honoring Hispanic entrepreneurship in America. The convention is the country's largest networking venue for Hispanic businesses and Fortune 1000 corporations interested in the Hispanic market.

CKE Restaurants, parent company of fast food brands Carl's Jr.(R) and Hardee's(R) will sponsor a business development workshop titled Franchise Opportunities - A Pathway To Financial Independence & Vibrant Communities. The CKE-sponsored workshop will allow attendees to learn from America's leading franchisors and global brands, discussing what they are looking for in franchisees and what it takes to become a successful business owner in the franchise world. Conference attendees are encouraged to listen, learn, ask, meet & network with the best. Michael D'Arezzo, CKE Restaurants' vice president of franchise sales, will lead the discussion along with Luis Farias, vice president of governmental affairs.

"CKE is committed to expanding our relationships in the Hispanic business community," said Farias. "The entrepreneurial spirit that Carl's Jr. and Hardee's were founded on is definitely alive and well, especially with Hispanic entrepreneurs. Our economy needs investment now more than ever. When someone invests in a franchise, they are helping to support the local community by creating jobs. This kind of local involvement as a franchise owner leads to economic growth by putting people to work and paves the way for future generations of local entrepreneurs."

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States.

About CKE Restaurants, Inc.

CKE Restaurants, Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in Carpinteria, Calif. As of the end of the Q2 fiscal 2012, CKE, through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,202 franchised, licensed or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and in 23 countries, including 1,278 Carl's Jr.(R) restaurants and 1,914 Hardee's(R) restaurants. For more information about CKE Restaurants, please visit www.ckr.com or its brand sites at www.carlsjr.com and www.hardees.com . Franchise information can be found at www.ckefranchise.com .

SOURCE CKE Restaurants, Inc.

New website walks California entrepreneurs through In's and Out's of health Coverage

2011-09-17T07:51:00.000-04:00

SAUSALITO, Calif., Sept. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month, Small Business Majority unveiled the California Health Coverage Guide, an online resource available in English and Spanish that provides California small business owners with objective, step-by-step information on how to navigate the healthcare market since the passage of federal healthcare reform.

The healthcare landscape is shifting as the market adjusts to provisions of the Affordable Care Act, signed into law in March 2010. The Coverage Guide, which details provisions of the Affordable Care Act pertinent to small businesses—much of it translated into Spanish for the first time—walks small business owners through the complex terminology, laws and options of the health insurance marketplace and helps them determine if offering insurance to their employees is financially feasible. It will also help them narrow down the types of plans best suited to their needs and covers federal and state healthcare laws all California entrepreneurs should be aware of. It is intended solely for informational use. Small Business Majority does not endorse a particular plan type, broker or carrier.

"As the Affordable Care Act continues bringing changes to California's healthcare system, it's essential to disseminate clear, objective information not only about the new law but about the system in general to help small business owners understand their coverage options," said Small Business Majority CEO John Arensmeyer.

The coverage guide has four main sections that cover:

Frequently asked questions about how the Affordable Care Act affects small businesses now, and which provisions will affect them in 2014 when the law is fully implemented.

The main issues to consider when deciding if it's affordable to purchase health insurance for employees.

Steps to follow if employers decide to purchase coverage, plus alternative healthcare options to suggest to employees if group coverage is financially out of reach.

Tools such as a tax credit calculator, which estimates how much federal healthcare tax credit employers qualify for.

"Our hope is that the guide allows employers, including those who are so busy that they only have a few spare moments, to find the information they need and to better understand the processes and laws involved in offering health insurance," Arensmeyer said. "By placing this objective information at their fingertips, we hope to make the process of obtaining health coverage quicker and simpler for California's entrepreneurs."

Visit the coverage guide at www.healthcoverageguide.org.

About Small Business Majority

Small Business Majority is a national nonpartisan small business advocacy organization focused on solving the biggest problems facing America's 28 million small businesses. We conduct extensive opinion and economic research and work with small business owners, policy experts and elected officials nationwide to bring small business voices to the public policy table.

SOURCE Small Business Majority

Are startups thinking too small?

2011-09-14T23:40:00.000-04:00

Sept 13, 2011 | by Anthony Ha

Defying the broader economic doom-and-gloom, startup CEOs, marketers, and investors packed the halls at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference on Monday. But some of the event's speakers weren't entirely optimistic about where the industry is going.

The big complaint? Too many startups with too few ideas.

For example, Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz said that he's seen "a fundamental shift in the culture" of the startup world. When Facebook first started in 2004, the Valley had "a handful of good companies that were able to attract a number of really great engineers." Now, he sees "many more smaller ideas being funded," many of those startups led by someone who could be a great engineer at another company or then competing for the remaining talent pool.

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Latin business owners, entrepreneurs are on the rise, dominating tech, construction, finance fields

2011-09-12T17:29:00.001-04:00

Sept 12, 2011 | by Phyllis Furman

When Kevin Alicea's grandfather left Puerto Rico for the Bronx back in the 1940s, opening a small grocery on Webster Ave. was a matter of survival. "My grandfather opened a bodega to put food on the table," said Alicea, 39.

Two generations later, the grandson is also an entrepreneur, but he's branching out in ways his grandfather never imagined. After launching a real estate business in the Bronx, Alicea and his two business partners decided to fill a void in Alicea's Throggs Neck neighborhood by launching an upscale Cuban restaurant.

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Get hired for your dream job

2011-09-12T11:17:00.002-04:00

Sept 11, 2011 | by Jeffrey Campos

Jobs, jobs, jobs. That's what we'll hear from now through the 2012 election, and rightly so. The economy will keep growing slowly, at least for this year. The copper index is up and retail sales are also up. Consumer incomes have risen for six straight months and more people are "quitting" their jobs than those who were downsized or terminated. You might wonder what this has to do with you and your search for your dream job. These are all sound indicators that the economy is improving. When the economy improves companies begin to hire, which directly impacts your ability to land a new job. Now is the time for you to put great velocity in your job search. Don't convince yourself to continue to take the summer off because no one is hiring. That it is just not a true statement in today's job market. What is true is that many job seekers decide to take the summer off, so you will have less competition right now than you will in the fall. Set up minimum standards for yourself and get ready to start booking interviews!

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Social Entrepreneurs at Professional Diversity Network announce free resume and cover jetter service for diverse professionals as part of its own Economic Stimulus Package

2011-09-11T11:20:00.000-04:00

CHICAGO, Sept. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Following President Obama's historic speech on his plan for putting America back to work, and its special emphasis on small business, Professional Diversity Network (PDN) announced it will be offering its own economic stimulus package -- a free personal resume and cover letter critique service, including a personal session with a careers specialist.

Founded by social entrepreneurs whose mission is economic empowerment and equal access, Professional Diversity Network, a leading career and jobs destination for diverse professionals is offering the service, valued at $500, free of charge to members of its online professional communities who demonstrate their skill in professional online networking, a focus of the PDN mission. PDN channels include AmightyRiver.com, one of the largest Black professional online networks in the United States, iHispano.com for Hispanic professionals and the Womenscareerchannel.com.

"In a time when we can no longer expect government alone to stabilize our economy and job market, we applaud President Obama's jobs plan and his request that all businesses step up to the plate to create jobs and begin hiring those who are currently unemployed," said Jim Kirsch, Chief Executive Officer, Professional Diversity Network. "At PDN, we believe that equipping candidates with strong professional online networking skills will exponentially open up doors to new opportunities. Equally important, your resume and cover letter will make or break your job search results. Our experts will ensure that yours are perfect and that they spotlight your talents and qualifications before connecting with our top employers who truly value a diverse workforce, and are ready to hire," added Kirsch.

To qualify for the free service, candidates are required to become a member of one of PDN's online communities, complete the resume and cover letter information forms, and form their own online networking group of 100 professional contacts on one of the PDN channels. Finalized documents will be ready within five business days of the applicant's personal review session.

About Professional Diversity Network

The Professional Diversity Network "Mission First" corporate mandate is to consistently apply its resources and programs to help members of its channels advance professionally and personally. PDN is focused on helping talented professionals to strengthen and utilize professional online networking skills. Additionally, PDN provides unprecedented access to companies that value a diverse workforce and seek to fill their employee pipelines with multicultural candidates.

Each of PDN's online professional communities is committed to economic empowerment and its affinity of culture makes it easy to fulfill a credo of "Each one Reach One." In addition to listing more than 100,000 jobs with premium employers that value diversity, PDN offers completely free of charge, a wide array of career resources, including resume critiques, seasoned mentors, personal brand makeovers and more.

For more information, contact Rachelle Pachtman at Pachtman Communications: rachelle@pachtman.com, or go to: www.AMightyRiver.com , www.iHispano.com or www.womenscareerchannel.com

SOURCE Professional Diversity Network

Casting young entrepreneurs in Los Angeles for a new TV docu-series project!

2011-09-10T20:05:00.000-04:00

NOW CASTING!

If you’re running a successful business & are a selfmade multi-millionaire, expanding your current business or starting up yet another and you’re under 30

years old, we want to hear from you!

Major Cable Network seeing young male & female moguls in the Los Angeles area (all ethnicities) under 30 for new docu-series project.

Great PR for your business and a chance to inspire young viewers!

Email your name, contact & business info and bio ASAP bigfishcasting@mac.com

**Deadline September 16, 2011

President Obama’s Job Speech: What it Means for Latinos

2011-09-09T22:36:00.000-04:00

Sept 09, 2011 | by Lili Gil

After months of frustration and political disenchantment and record low presidential approvals ratings, Obama’s job speech might represent a little ray sunshine to a gloomy outlook of political non-sense.

Could this be the plan that finally restores the confidence of the middle-class family, the single mom, the unemployed professional, or the Latino worker? Could this help our country’s unprecedented crisis?

The forecasting firm Macroeconomic Advisers estimates a tax cut extension might create about 33,000 jobs each month next year — insufficient to reduce unemployment. However, while for some experts the plan may not be enough to boost the country’s economy, could it mean something to boost the economy of your household?

Obama described it in plain English “the purpose of the American Jobs Act is simple: to put more people back to work and more money in the pockets of those who are working. It will create more jobs for construction workers, more jobs for teachers, more jobs for veterans, and more jobs for the long-term unemployed. It will provide a tax break for companies who hire new workers, and it will cut payroll taxes in half for every working American and every small business.”

Some of the priority areas mentioned present key points of relevancy for the 50 million Latinos in the U.S.

Let’s start with the construction workers. According to the Pew Hispanic Center, Hispanic workers account for 25 percent of the total employment in the construction sector. On the flip side and due to a declining economy, unemployment rate of Hispanic construction workers is a lot worse than that of non-Hispanics, with a rate of 7.3% compared to 5% for the latter, according to the Morgan Stanley's Global Economic Forum. A focus on funding large projects to build infrastructure and renovate schools, certainly presents an opportunity for millions of Latinos that might have been impacted in this sector. Obama suggests that the initiatives could lead to the hiring of one million unemployed construction workers of which at least 25 percent could be Hispanic.

Another part of the plan benefits small businesses “making life easier for job creators… starting tomorrow small businesses will get a tax cut”, Obama stated. This puts on the table a promise to cut payroll taxes in half and incentivize hiring of the unemployed. So, what is the Latino impact? Hispanic-owned businesses outpace growth of non-minority-owned firm. Their growth rate was almost 3 times the national level (30 percent) between 2000- 2007, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Also, employment at these firms also grew by 26 percent from 1.5 million to 1.9 million workers, significantly higher than that of non-minority-owned firms, therefore representing a healthy pool of beneficiaries of the proposed tax breaks.

Obama mentioned that “disadvantaged young people will get jobs”, which could make a big difference to the Latino community who is a younger population with an average age of 27 compared to 39 for whites. Also, new jobs for young people and the small business incentives present a benefit for recent college graduates. According to the Pew Hispanic Research, in just one year the number of Hispanics ages 18 to 24 on America college campuses grew by nearly a quarter, while the number of white students that age declined, highlighting a substantial and increasingly rapid demographic transition in higher education. Overall, college-age Hispanics represented 1.8 million, or 15 percent, of the 12.2 million young adults in college. Ironically, while positive, the current economic circumstances negatively impact these young people.

Finally Obama’s job plan also promises that “the typical working family will get a fifteen hundred dollar tax cut next year”, which is extra cash I am sure many families could use for debt, education or other expenses. Regardless of background or race, ultimately this is what we all want as Americans…a little extra cash in our pockets at times of trouble for the nation and many families alike.

What now? Let’s wait for Congress in anticipation. What can you do? Write or call your congressman and make your voice be heard.

About Lilil Gil

Lili Gil is an award-winning business and Hispanic market expert, media/ TV contributor and host of the online show Moments2CulturRise. She is also co-founder and managing partner of XL Alliance a cross-channel marketing strategy organization dedicated to helping business executives maximize their efforts into profitable growth. Gil was recently selected by the World Economic Forum as one of only 190 Young Global Leaders identified across 65 countries for her leadership, community and business impact. You can follow Lili on twitter @liligil

HAPPY LABOR DAY: Meet Labor Secretary Hilda Solis

2011-09-05T09:28:00.000-04:00

September 01, 2011 | by Margaret Webb Pressler

When Hilda Solis was 10 years old, her mother worked in a factory that made Barbie dolls, and she would bring them home. “I love dolls,” Solis said. “When I was a kid I had, like, every Barbie doll.”

But her mother’s job had a down side, too: It meant Hilda had to help care for her infant twin sisters. “We had to cook, clean. You wouldn’t believe, back then we had to wash diapers. Rows and rows of diapers,” she said of the work that she and her older sister did. “I had to grow up fast.”

Solis hasn’t stopped working. She got her first paying job at age 14, in a youth center, and worked through high school, becoming the first member of her family to go to college.

All that hard work gives her an appreciation for Labor Day, which is tomorrow, and honors all that workers have done for the country. It’s an especially important day for Solis, now 53, because she is the Secretary of Labor.

Solis runs the Department of Labor, the government agency with 15,000 employees that is responsible for protecting U.S. workers and helping to create jobs for people who need them. She is also a member of PresidentObama’s cabinet, which is a small group of people whose job it is to advise the president on specific issues.

“It is a joy,” she said of her job. “I love helping people.”

And it certainly beats washing diapers.

Fighting for attention

As the third of seven children, Solis learned early that to get what you wanted, you had to be first, you had to be loud and you had to fight.

“My brother would pick on me,” she said, explaining her fighting spirit with a smile. “I had to defend myself!”

Solis’s father, who had grown up in Mexico, worked in a battery recycling plant where he was a labor leader; that is, he helped workers at the plant get better pay and safer working conditions. Solis’s father told her to get a jgovernment job.

“He knew if you got a good job in government, you’d have a good salary, benefits and [insurance to pay for medical care],” she said.

Running for office

But Solis, like many kids in the mostly Hispanic neighborhood outside Los Angeles, California, where she grew up, never planned to go to college. “I was an average student,” she said.

A high school teacher made all the difference. Solis always loved to debate with her teachers and challenged answers until she was satisfied. One teacher pushed her to apply to to college.

“That’s where the big break came for me,” she said. “He convinced me to do it.”

After college, Solis went back to her high school to encourage other kids to go to college. She was so convinced that education was the best way to succeed that she ran for the local school board, starting her government career.

She was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000, where she served until 2009, when President Obama chose her as Labor Secretary. She is the first Hispanic woman to serve in the U.S. Cabinet.

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7 ways to create jobs

2011-09-04T11:08:00.001-04:00

Sept 02, 2011 | by Paul Davidson

More than two years after the Great Recession ended, some 14 million Americans are out of work, nearly half of them for six months or longer.

What's worse, this bleak picture shows no signs of brightening soon. Economic growth is expected to plod along at a lackluster 2.5 percent pace next year, leaving the jobless rate hovering just below 9 percent by the end of 2012. And so for the second time since early 2009, the government is looking to jump-start a job market caught between tight-fisted consumers and wary businesses.

President Obama on Thursday is expected to propose more government spending on construction projects, aid to budget-strapped states and new tax credits to encourage hiring, among other strategies. Republicans have signaled they're firmly opposed to another large economic stimulus that adds to the $1.3 trillion deficit. They prefer less-costly steps to promote job growth long term, such as cutting the corporate tax rate and streamlining regulations.

USA Today decided to look past the partisan crossfire and ask more than a dozen think tanks, economists, industry groups and lawmakers a simple question: What can Washington do to get America back to work again?

Repair roads, bridges, schools

Fixing the nation's aging infrastructure would create jobs more quickly than tax cuts -- in as little as a few months -- and meet critical needs that must be addressed eventually. Transportation bottlenecks are costing the country about $200 billion a year, or 1.6 percent of economic output, according to a study by a bipartisan coalition of state and local politicians. It would take $2.2 trillion over the next five years to upgrade the USA's roads, highways, seaports, rail lines and bridges, the American Society of Civil Engineers estimates.

With yields on 10-year Treasury bonds at about 2 percent, borrowing costs for the U.S. government are as low as they've ever been. "There's never been a more opportune time to invest in infrastructure," says Andrew Fieldhouse, policy analyst for the liberal Economic Policy Institute (EPI).

To make a tangible impact, Congress could go big, spending $200 billion each of the next two years. Fieldhouse says that would create more than 2 million jobs and reduce unemployment about 0.8 percentage points. While that may seem ambitious in an era of fiscal austerity, each dollar spent generates $1.44 in economic output, according to EPI and Moody's Analytics. As a result, about half the money would come back to the government through increased tax revenue. Some funds also could be used to build out a smart electric grid, bring broadband to rural areas and upgrade water systems.

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How the Government helps small businesses

2011-09-02T17:24:00.002-04:00

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Whether you're thinking about opening a new business or you're trying to strengthen or expand an enterprise you already have, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is there to help.

The SBA is a federal agency that helps small businesses grow and succeed. It provides business counseling and training, and offers a wide range of financing programs such as loans and grants.

Counseling and Training

You can get immediate help from the SBA by taking one of its online training courses on how to start, manage and finance a business. Each subject features a variety of courses about successful business management.

The SBA also works with community centers that provide free or low-cost training and mentoring. For example, SCORE is a nonprofit organization comprised of volunteer counselors with extensive experience in the business world. SCORE provides mentoring and counseling services to new business owners.

Finally, you can always visit local or regional SBA offices for support. These offices are located throughout the country and can counsel you on:

- How to find your local women's business centers

- How to get technical assistance

- How to get disaster assistance

Access to Capital

A lot of people think the SBA lends money. The truth is that it only guarantees loans made by financial institutions such as banks. SBA-backed loans can be very attractive because they generally have low interest rates and longer repayment terms.

The SBA offers several loan programs, including:

- 7(a) Loan Program: This program is for businesses operating in specific industries such as exports or for businesses located in rural areas or underserved communities. Active duty military personnel and veterans can also benefit from these types of loans.

- Micro-Loan Program: This program is for certain small businesses and nonprofit organizations, including childcare centers. The maximum loan amount is $50,000, which can be used to pay for inventory or purchase equipment. However, money from these loans cannot be used to pay debt or to purchase real estate.

- CDC/504 Loan Program: This is a program for businesses looking for long-term financing. The money can be used to purchase real estate, new facilities and machinery or equipment. The program has several stipulations, including one that requires the funds to be used to encourage economic development in a community.

You can get more information about some of these programs as well as additional local resources by going to SBA Direct.

Other Types of Financing

Besides guaranteeing loans, the SBA can also help entrepreneurs locate other types of financing, such as grants. It's important to note that the SBA does not provide grants for starting or expanding a business. The agency does provide grants to nonprofits and educational organizations for counseling and training purposes.

Local and state governments do provide grants to small businesses, specifically those involved in childcare, energy efficiency and local tourism. You can learn more about the different types of government grants available by visiting Grants.gov.

USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov are the U.S. Government's official web portals in English and Spanish, and part of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).

SOURCE GobiernoUSA.gov/USA.gov

College grads can land the job of their dreams

2011-09-02T11:56:00.000-04:00

You may have aced Intermediate Accounting, but you didn’t count on getting lost on the way to your first big job interview. So you arrived late and flustered, chugged a restorative cup of coffee in the reception area, and then offered your interviewer a sweaty handshake.

Those simple mistakes may have cost you the job, according to Patricia D. Sadar, a 20-year veteran of Human Resources Management and author of Congratulations…You Aced the Interview and Congratulations…You’re Hired (www.congratsbooks.com) for recent college graduates.

“Students and parents alike spend their valuable time and hard-earned money to get into the right school and earn their college degree,” said Sadar, an adjunct professor at Florida International University. “It seems as though they forget the big picture – landing the job.”

That’s an even greater challenge in today’s market, which can be especially hard to crack for young workers. Sixty percent of recent college graduates do not have full-time jobs in their fields of study, according to a spring CNN Money report citing the job-placement firm Adecco Group.

Sadar’s CliffNotes-style books answer burning questions, break through myths, and point students towards the career fast lane! All books are written to be read in an hour and put to use today!

Each book offers a checklist of strategies and a road map to travel the simplest, fastest, and most direct route for students to land the job of their dreams.

Some tips include:

• Tailor your resumé to the job: Recruiters often simply scan resumés, so be sure the experience and skills being sought are easy to spot, and the same information is repeated in your cover letter. Include a professional summary, competencies, strengths and accomplishments all focused on the position for which you’re applying.

• Prepare for the interview – what you do before, during and after counts: Know how to get there and allow extra time so you don’t arrive late. Don’t use strong cologne or tobacco products, and don’t drink coffee beforehand, all of which can be smelly turn-offs. Do pop a breath mint – not chewing gum, which has no place in an interview. If your palms are sweaty, wipe your hand discreetly before giving a firm handshake. Follow up with a thank-you note to the interviewer within 24 hours.

• Be truthful when asked about weaknesses: People often avoid these questions or answer by presenting what they consider to be a strength as a weakness, such as “I’m a workaholic” or “I’m a perfectionist.” The interviewer wants to know if you can recognize your weaknesses and how you’re working on them, or whether you can admit mistakes and learn from them. Be prepared to honestly discuss one weakness and one past mistake.

• Ask questions, but not about salary, benefits, sick or vacation time: Go prepared to ask three to five questions about the company, the department or the position. You might ask the interviewer to describe the ideal candidate for the job, what he or she most enjoys about working for the company, or what the company’s biggest challenges will be in the coming year.

• Remember, mealtime interviews are not about the food: Order a conservatively priced meal that doesn’t have a strong smell and that you can eat without making a mess. Don’t order an alcoholic beverage, even if your interviewer does, and mind your table manners.

• Be courteous to everyone you meet, from the parking lot to the restroom: Don’t underestimate the importance of parking attendants, receptionists and security guards, who often have influence with decision-makers. The person in the elevator or at the lavatory could be the CEO or a potential future boss.

About Patricia D. Sadar

Patricia D. Sadar is CEO of People2Strategy, a strategic Human Resources consulting firm, an adjunct professor at Florida International, faculty member at University of Phoenix, speaker, career coach, and author. A graduate of Nova Southeastern University, she holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration.

SOURCE: News and Experts

Researcher and Author Shawn Achor discovers long-term benefit of positive psychology in the workplace

2011-08-19T17:29:00.000-04:00

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – April 5, 2011 – Tens of billions of dollars are spent worldwide every year on employee training, but often the long-term return on investment (“ROI”) remains questionable. A new ground-breaking study from researcher and author of The Happiness Advantage Shawn Achor investigates this issue and finds that a new kind of positive psychology training exhibits a valuable ROI. A single training session on the principles of positive psychology was shown to improve the overall happiness, energy and stress management skills of 77 managers against a control group. Subjects were evaluated again four months later, and impressively, the benefits of significantly higher life satisfaction (quality of life) continued compared to the control.

"By testing employees over many months we can determine if there is a long term ROI," said Shawn Achor, researcher, author of The Happiness Advantage, and consultant to Fortune 500 companies. “This sets a new standard for trainings.”

In December of 2008 as the worldwide economic crisis was beginning to take shape, a ten minute survey was administered to 77 KPMG managers getting a baseline reading of 14 different metrics including stress, social support and optimism. Then, Achor delivered a three hour training entitled “Positive Psychology: the Science of Happiness and Potential” to the 77 mangers. A week after the training, the survey was re-administered to the experimental group and compared with a control group (managers who did not go through the training but took the surveys). In April 2009, both groups were tested again. Even after four months, the group of trained managers showed significant increases to optimism and life satisfaction - one of the greatest predictors of performance and success. Extensive studies have shown that employees with higher levels of life satisfaction are more productive, produce greater sales, and are more resilient in the face of challenge.

The study revealed three findings. First, teaching the principles and strategies of positive psychology is vital to preparing managers to deal better with the challenges of a modern work environment. Second, extensive research has already found that employee life satisfaction is a direct contributor to productivity and performance; thus, a training that conclusively enhances this quality could have far-reaching implications. Lastly and most importantly, this research indicates that even a short training on positive psychology will create a clear and long lasting ROI--an indication that it may be increasingly important for companies to start training their employees on the skills of positive psychology.

Over the past year, Achor has delivered these lectures and trainings to leaders in 42 different countries. “This is an emerging field and we are excited about its potential to help us rethink trainings,” said Achor. “More studies need to be done, in a variety of industries, to determine how these effects translate into higher profit and performance. We have only begun to tap into the potential ROI of positive psychology trainings.”

Achor and Good Think, Inc. Chief Learning Officer Elizabeth Peterson are currently continuing research in this field with Alia Crum at Yale University.

For more information, please visit: www.ShawnAchor.com, and for speaking or training opportunities, visit www.internationalspeakers.com.

About Shawn Achor

Shawn, author of The Happiness Advantage, has spoken in 42 countries to a wide variety of audiences: bankers on Wall Street, students in Dubai, CEOs in Zimbabwe. Prior to founding Good Think Inc., Shawn spent over a decade at Harvard University where he won numerous distinguished teaching awards for his work. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard and earned a Masters from Harvard Divinity School in Christian and Buddhist ethics. In 2006, he was Head Teaching Fellow for "Positive Psychology," the most popular course at Harvard at the time. When the global economy collapsed in 2008, Shawn was immediately called in as an expert by the world's largest banks to help restart forward progress. Subsequently his lectures on happiness and human potential have received attention fromThe New York Times, Boston Globe, Wall Street Journal, CNN, and NPR. The New York Times recently named Shawn a "world-famous expert" on positive psychology. For more information about Achor please visit: www.shawnachor.com

About iSB Global

iSB Global, a family of companies including flagship brand International Speakers Bureau, is a perennial leader in the speaking industry and also creates, owns, and represents leading brands in education and entertainment.

"The Happiness Advantage" by Shawn Achor

Broadway Books; ISBN: 978-0-307-59154-8; Hardcover; 272 pages; Price: $25.00

Gutierrez elected Vice-Chairman of State Chamber

2011-08-18T17:42:00.000-04:00

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) August 18, 2011 | Ernie Gutierrez, founder of Allied Industries, Inc., a leading California construction and environmental firm, was elected as the Vice-Chairman to the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC) in an election that took place at the annual convention and election of officers of the Board of Directors in San Jose. Statewide delegates who represent the CHCC elected him.

As Vice- Chairman of the Board of Directors, Gutierrez will work together with the newly elected Chairman of the Board, Roy Perez, to streamline CHCC operations, build strategic relationships that benefit Hispanic owned businesses and keep local chambers engaged with the CHCC. "The time has come for Hispanic Businesses to take full advantage of opportunities now available," said Gutierrez. "In addition, it is time that both Corporate America and Government take the voice of the Hispanic Community more seriously."

"We are excited about Ernie’s role with the organization," said Julian Canete, President/CEO of the CHCC. "He brings a record of service as Chair of CHCC Procurement Committee, has a number of key contacts throughout the state, and has demonstrated a strong business acumen that will help our organization thrive."

The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce's primary goal is to represent the interests of over 600,000 Hispanic-owned businesses in California. With a network of over 60 Hispanic chamber and business associations throughout the state, the CHCC is the premier and largest regional Hispanic business organization in the nation that promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs.

Other newly elected Board Directors are Mayra Bautista, James Duran, Dr. Guido Minaya, Abel Sierra, and Andrew Barrera.

About Allied Industries, Inc

ALLIED is a general contractor specializing in environmental remediation, environmental consulting and engineering, and construction services firm dedicated to providing professional, practical, and economical solutions to our client's environmental and construction needs. In addition to our technical consulting services, ALLIED also excels at providing general contracting with experience in vertical and lateral construction, demolition, and asbestos, lead, and mold remediation. As such, ALLIED is superlatively equipped to provide complete turn-key services from beginning to completion and proudly services clientele throughout California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Washington and Nevada. Our diverse clientele base ranges from the Federal Government and public works sectors to residential and private industry.

Robledo named CEO of Black Coyote Wines

2011-08-12T17:01:00.001-04:00

August 07, 2011

Dr. Ernest Bates, founder of Black Coyote Wines, has announced that Vanessa Robledo is now majority owner and CEO. Robledo was named president of Black Coyote Wines in 2008. Under her tenure, Black Coyote has increased its market presence and more than doubled its production and sales. As majority owner, Robledo will still be CEO and will also serve as president of the Ernest Bates Foundation charity.

Although the past few years have been difficult for many premium California wineries, Robledo has increased Black Coyote Wines wine sales to their highest point since the company’s inception in 1998. Since 2008 she has increased Black Coyote’s wine club membership 100-fold, the company said.

A fourth-generation vineyard worker, Robledo, 34, has worked in vineyards alongside her father and siblings since she was 8 years old. After she became president of Robledo Family Winery in 1997, she grew the tiny 100-case producer to a thriving business doing 20,000 cases a year in 2007.

She also developed a series of events that paired Robledo Family wines with traditional Mexican food and opened the first Mexican American-owned tasting room in California, all of which earned her honors as 2008 Hispanic Entrepreneur of the Year.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have a lot of success in this business,” said Robledo, “but now working with Dr. Bates and the Foundation, I’ll be able to give back to this industry and that is very exciting.”

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HABLA Nominations and Scholarship Applications Now Open for 2011 Awards

2011-08-09T16:02:00.000-04:00

ATLANTA, Aug. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The 4th annual HABLA, the Hispanic Achievement and Business Leadership Awards presented by Verizon Wireless and hosted by the Lanza Group, LLC, is now accepting award nominations and scholarship applications through Sept. 15 at midnight. The 4th annual awards luncheon recognizes the achievements of the Hispanic business community on Thursday, October 13th at the close of Hispanic Heritage month.

"The Atlanta Hispanic business community is thriving and growing everyday," said Lanza Group President Ralph E. Herrera. "HABLA is a chance to recognize those members of the community who continue driving Georgia forward, and foster the next generation's development through the scholarship we offer."

Beginning in 2008, HABLA has highlighted a variety of local dignitaries and community influencers. HABLA honors nominees in four categories: Entrepreneur, Civic/Government, Corporate Executive and Unsung Hero. The HABLA Scholarship will be awarded to one Latino graduating high school senior or current college freshman or sophomore, in the amount of $1500. Scholarship applications and nomination forms are available online at www.HablaAtlanta.com and will be accepted through Sept. 15 at midnight EDT.

HABLA serves as the closing ceremony to Hispanic Heritage Month festivities in Atlanta, highlighting the accomplishments of Latino role models and providing the recognition they merit. HABLA is the leading business-to-business (B2B) Hispanic focused networking event in the market. The 4th annual Hispanic Achievement & Business Leadership Awards will take place on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 103 West in Buckhead.

About Lanza Group:

Lanza Group, LLC is an Atlanta-based Hispanic marketing, PR and events firm that provides bi-cultural marketing solutions; connecting marketers to Hispanics throughout the United States and beyond. Lanza Group produces Atlanta's official Cinco de Mayo celebration – Fiesta Atlanta, as well as Georgia's Hispanic Heritage Month kick-off celebration, Fiesta Georgia. For more information, please call 404.350.0200 or visit www.LanzaGroup.com.

SOURCE Lanza Group, LLC

L.A. Times explains why it uses 'Latino'

2011-08-09T00:54:00.001-04:00

August 7, 2011 | By Kevin Roderic

The Los Angeles Times stylebook adopted Latino over Hispanic in 1995, or even earlier. A recent update seeks to clarify the usage and the reason behind it.

Latino is the umbrella term for people in the United States of Latin American descent. It refers to Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans and others from the Spanish-speaking lands or cultures of Latin America. A Latino woman is a Latina. It is preferable to say that an individual is Mexican American, of Salvadoran descent and so forth, instead of using the umbrella term.

Keep in mind that Latino is an ethnic group, not a race category. Latinos may be of any race: white, black, Native American, Asian, mestizo, etc. Some speak Spanish; some don't. Some are U.S. born; others are immigrants.

Note: Hispanic is acceptable in quotes or in proper names. The U.S. Census Bureau uses terms such as "Hispanic or Latino" and "non-Hispanic or Latino" in its survey questions on ethnicity and race. Stories and graphics based on census information are allowed to use that language when it is essential to explain methodology, but we should otherwise use Latino to describe the people in question.

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O.C. woman entrepreneur named to hall of fame

2011-08-08T23:46:00.000-04:00

August 08, 2011 | By Jan Norman | Orange County Register

The National Association of Women Business Owners has named Maria de Lourdes Sobrina, founder and CEO of Lulu's Dessert Corp. in Huntington Beach, and three others to the new California Hall of Fame.

The other honorees are Janice Bryant Howroyd, founder and CEO of ACT-1 staffing company, Torrance; Koni Kim, president and CEO of Koni Corp. distributor to the hospitality industry, San Diego; and Lynda Weinman, co-founder of Lynda.com, an online instructional video service, Carpenteria.

Sobrino owned a travel business in Mexico that she lost when the peso was devalued in the 1970s.

She moved to Southern California and experimented with various Mexican dishes until she hit on fruit-flavored gelatins, a Mexican favorite - based on her mother's recipe.

She launched Lulu's Dessert Corp. in 1982, producing 300 cups of gelatin a day. The company now makes tens of millions of the dessert and sells them in major supermarket chains.

Lulu's in now ranked among the top 500 Hispanic-ownerd businesses in the United States.

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MillerCoors Celebrates Minority Business Growth by Declaring ‘National Urban Entrepreneurs Week’

2011-08-04T17:50:00.000-04:00

CHICAGO, Aug us 04, 2011--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MillerCoors salutes today’s urban entrepreneur and declares August 1 through 5, “National Urban Entrepreneurs Week.” The company has also launched a call-for-entries for the annual MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneurs Series (MUES) and Business Plan Competition. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, minority-owned businesses have increased nearly 50 percent since 2000, fully twice the rate of all U.S. businesses. More significantly, urban entrepreneurs, who now employ some 5.9 million workers, are leading the way in job creation and helping to rebuild the economy.

Now in its 12^th year, the MUES program provides small business owners the unique opportunity to compete for a total of $150,000 in business grants. “At MillerCoors, we know that jobs are needed to build great communities. We want to do our part to empower small business development, which is helping to drive our economy by creating more employment opportunities,” said Larry Waters, vice president of multicultural relations for MillerCoors. “The MUES program is a viable resource for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. Through this competition, entrepreneurs compete for much-needed capital to fuel and grow their businesses.”

MillerCoors has awarded more than $1.7 million dollars to small businesses since the program’s creation in 1999. This year, during “National Urban Entrepreneurs Week,” the MUES competition will provide entrepreneurs with several tools and information on how to build theirs businesses:

On Monday, August 1, MUES hosted a Twitter party, “Putting a Brilliant Idea to Paper: How to Create an Award-Winning Business Plan” with Black Enterprise senior vice president/editor-at-large, Alfred J. Edmonds, Jr. Tweeters will have the opportunity to register for the hour long party where, using the hashtag, “#MUES,” they can ask Edmonds questions via Twitter about their business plans and win prizes for their participation.
On Wednesday, August 3, the webinar, “How to Write a Business Plan,” was distributed to business bloggers as a resource for their visitors.
Throughout the week, the competition will host a national radio media tour with 2011 MUES grand-prize winners, Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora of BTTR Ventures. Velez and Arora will inform listeners of their MUES experience and provide tips on developing and submitting a strong business plan.

This year’s top winner will be awarded a $50,000 grant, and four other top finalists will each receive $25,000 grants. Competitors also have the opportunity to become a potential qualified MillerCoors supplier. The MUES competition is open to participants who are age 21 and older. All entries must be submitted to www.MillerCoorsMUES.com by Monday, October 3, 2011 at noon (CST).

For more information, helpful resources for developing a business plan as well as the official rules and requirements of the MUES Business Plan Competition, visit www.MillerCoorsMUES.com.

About MillerCoors

MillerCoors brews, markets and sells the MillerCoors portfolio of brands in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Built on a foundation of great beer brands and nearly 300 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers. MillerCoors is the second-largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment. Miller Lite is the great-tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to Rocky Mountain cold refreshment. MillerCoors brews premium beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft, and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. The company also offers innovative products such as MGD 64, Miller Chill and Sparks. Tenth and Blake Beer Company, MillerCoors new craft and import company, imports Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell and Grolsch and features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel’s craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and two microbreweries, the 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver. MillerCoors vision is to create the best beer company in America by driving profitable industry growth. MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company.

SOURCE: MillerCoors

More than 40 percent of new independent Mary Kay businesses are Hispanic-owned

2011-07-28T09:17:00.001-04:00

DALLAS, Jul 27, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Despite the U.S. Department of Labor reporting only 18,000 new jobs added nationwide in June 2011, options to earn money still exist for the more than 13.9 million unemployed Americans. In fact, more than 165,000 people already are on their way by starting independent Mary Kay businesses in April in the United States, the largest monthly amount within the last 10 years. Of the total new businesses, 40 percent or 66,000 are Hispanic-owned. Mary Kay also had a 9.5 percent increase in independent sales force members in the United States in the first half of 2011, compared to the same time period in 2010.

These record sales force increases serve as a unique example of small business growth in the United States. The company's success continues on another front, with March 2011 representing our highest sales month in company history.

These company milestones are timely given Mary Kay Inc.'s annual Seminar in Dallas until Aug. 6, where the success of the company's independent sales force is celebrated. Seminar is focused on recognizing Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants for their achievements, while also providing education, inspiration and motivation for the year ahead. Per the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau, economic impact of the event is more than $71 million.

"For more than 47 years, Mary Kay has provided women of all ethnicities and backgrounds with an open-ended and unparalleled business opportunity, which in light of the ever-changing economic conditions is more compelling than ever before," said Vice President of U.S. Marketing Yvette Franco. "We remain committed to enriching women's lives worldwide, and are thrilled Mary Kay can provide at least one bright spot in our nation's discouraging economy."

During this year's event, more than $6 million in sought-after recognition and prizes will be awarded, including jewelry, international vacation getaways and career cars, including the coveted pink Cadillac. Mary Kay's annual Seminar will bring together Independent Beauty Consultants from the United States, Canada and Europe Region during five, back-to-back conferences at the Dallas Convention Center.

About Mary Kay

Mary Kay is one of the world's largest direct selling companies with more than $2.5 billion in annual wholesale sales worldwide. Mary Kay was founded in 1963 by Mary Kay Ash with the goal of helping women achieve personal growth and financial success. Mary Kay remains committed to enriching women's lives, and today more than 2 million people of all backgrounds are enjoying the advantages of being Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants. Mary Kay's high-quality skin care and color cosmetic products are sold in more than 35 countries around the world. To learn more about Mary Kay, visit www.marykay.com.

SOURCE: Mary Kay Inc.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recognizes business leaders

2011-07-27T16:08:00.000-04:00

July 26, 2011

Two restaurateurs, an attorney, a winery owner, an immigration services consultant, a hotel general manager, a marketing director and the director of a nonprofit resource center were among the Hispanic business leaders honored by the Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at its inaugural Award and Recognition Gala, July 16, at the Springhill Suites by Marriott in Napa.

The honorees were recognized for their contributions to the economic and social vitality of their communities as leaders, activists and role models, a news release said.

The honorees were Belia-Eugenia Ramos Bennett, Gustavo Brambila, Dalia Ceja, Elizabeth Nunez, Frances Ortiz-Chavez, Santana Saldivar, Rosaura Segura and Juan Sirotka.

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