Resources for Hispanic Business Owners

Get help and network your way to commercial success

By Greg Brown

Feel like you're going it alone, compadre? Nonsense. A quick trip through the Web will lead you to dozens of Hispanic business groups, ranging from student associations to specific professional chambers, like accounting and engineering.

It's just common sense to take advantage of the know-how that's all around you. Networking is the key to success, too.

With this guide, you will learn to:

1) Locate an affinity group near you

2) Take advantage of resources designated for Hispanic businesses

Find a local Hispanic chamber of commerce

Nearly any community with more than a dozen Hispanic-owned businesse sooner or later hosts a Hispanic chamber. Don't have one? Start one!
Try: The biggest is the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, begun in 1979, which connects to 150 local and regional chambers.

Professional associations abound for Hispanics

Nurse, journalist, lawyer or whatever, you can likely find a national organization that links your Latino heritage with a specific field.
Try: See a comprehensive list of Hispanic professional groups at LatinVision. Umbrella groups for general business interests include the Latin Business Association, Hispanic Achievers, the New Alliance, and the National Hispanic Corporate Council.

Find financing through Hispanic funding sources

Navigating the thicket of private and public funding sources is hard work. The U.S. government, lending agencies and, increasingly, private banks, have special branches designed to help.
Try: Accion USA make small business loans, as does the U.S. government's Small Business Administration. Other resources include the Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Association and ¡Capital!, a loan program through USBank and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Part of business leadership is social leadership

It's not uncommon for Hispanic organizations to focus on specific community needs, like literacy, health or access to financing. Becoming active in a cause can help orient your business interests, and lead to great networking.
Try: The best-known Hispanic national group is the National Council of La Raza. Alternatives include the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility and political action group League of United Latin American Citizens.

Keep an eye on the kids. They are the future, as you know

If any group of young Americans is sensitized to identity these days, it's Hispanic youngsters. A good way to tap into their energy is by sponsoring or joining a student or young professionals group.
Try: The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities links the major educational institutions that serve Latino youth. Similarly, consider the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. The National Hispanic Business Association specifically works to unite Latino undergrads going into business. The future of Hispanic media hangs out at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

Don't assume major corporations won't deal with you. Many seek to increase their roster of minority suppliers and partners, and they have specific offices to facilitate that process.
If you live in a heavily Hispanic area, say in Texas or southern California, call up your local bank for funding. Chances are pretty good they have a specific bank officer (Spanish-speaking, por supuesto!) to help you.