NPC Custom Media

www.negociosnow.com October 2019 9 NN: Speaking about the importance of the Latino business community, how many businesses does the USHCC represent? Cavazos: There are 4.4 million Latino-owned busi- nesses in America that generate more than $750 billion in economic impact. We could double that if the businesses that are not receiving capital could have access to it. So of the 4.4 million Latino-owned businesses, we would need more than 3% or 4% to be at $1 million dollars or more in sales. But that's true for all businesses in America, you know. Most of the busi- nesses in America are small businesses, are family- owned, their sales are less than $1 million. This is also true for Anglo businesses and businesses owned by people of color. But the power of Latino business is that we need to support one another, give them the tools they need so that we are ready for the future. Latinos represent a huge economic impact. We are now 60 million people, 20% of the population, and many of our businesses are first-generation or immi- grant businesses. In fact, in America, one out of every 10 jobs that people hold today is a job that an immigrant- owned business created. That is the opportunity we have to drive the economy by using immigrants and innovation to create new ideas and new businesses. It's a fact that the son or daughter of an immigrant started 43 percent of Fortu- ne 500 firms. It's not a num- ber we're throwing out the- re. That's why the US Hispa- nic Chamber of Commerce needs to do our job to put people where they need to be and to get the resources they need to be successful. Our chairwoman Carmen Castillo is a perfect example of a first-generation immi- grant business owner. She came here, and she built this incredible business that is in more than 80 countries. NN: How does the USHCC plan to reach smaller busines- ses to increase membership? Cavazos: Our gift is our infrastructure, having 250 Hispanic chambers around the country. That's our net- work. That's why we need the Latino chambers becau- se that's how we will have access to those Hispanic- owned businesses that need support. We're working with those businesses to create small-business incubators in their communities to generate resources from the private sector, and working in the public sector to crea- te small-business-develop- ment centers. We just need to develop this network, mobilize it and support what they need, and also give them training. For this reason we offer chamber training for executives who are either paid or non-profit leaders on our board becau- se they need to learn how to leverage that Latino cham- ber in Idaho, for example, or in Florida to benefit the local Latino community. They are the heart and soul of the network of the US Hispanic Chamber of Com- merce. NN: Do programs like those you mentioned tric- kle down from the USHCC to the local chambers? Cavazos: The programs will come from the indivi- dual chambers locally. What we hope to do is generate resources from philanthro- pic contributions and leve- rage those with the local chambers because they know best — better than we — how those commu- nities operate. So there are many chambers that have their own small business centers already, and we at the USHCC should not get in their way. We should empower them and find resources for them. If we were to trickle resources down, they would be finan- cial resources to give them the tools they need to hire staff. And that's really why we need to learn from the- se different centers out in the country that are already set up by these chambers, really with limited support from the USHCC. NN: What is the biggest challenge for the USHCC right now? Cavazos: I think our biggest challenge is access to capi- tal for our small businesses. Many of them, on average, have only 27 days of cash before they need payment for the contract they have. We need to work with banks, we need to work with commu- nity development financial institutions, we need to work with institutions that provi- de funding to bridge delays. Capital timing is the differen- ce maker for small-business owners to succeed and sur- vive, and we need to realize they don't have 60 days or 90 days to wait for that payment. They need it within 30 days, and we need to drive many of those people they do busi- ness with to make sure they treat them with respect, and understand these providers could go out of business if we wait too long to pay them. NN: Finally, what can we expect at the USCC Con- vention in New Mexico: Cavazos: We're very exci- ted to be going to Albuquer- que. We were founded, lega- lly incorporated, 40 years ago in Santa Fe. So for the USHCC, it's full circle. We're also excited to be hosting in New Mexi- co because we're righting a wrong. About 10 years ago, the national conven- tion was going to go to Albuquerque, and for wha- tever reason it was taken away. So we are coming to a community that has been ready for a long time to host a convention. It's one of the best cham- bers in the country. Ernie C'DeBaca, its CEO, is a phenomenal leader, and they're an example of a great chamber as they also run the convention and visitors bureau for Albu- querque. They also have a small business incubator. So they have a lot of energy there. New Mexico is a majority Latino state, and there's a governor who is a Latina. Their mayor is also someo- ne who has lived in other countries, and he gets it; he understands our mis- sion. And so we're very excited about being there Sept. 29 and 30 and Oct. 1. It's our 40th anniversary. We believe it'll be the best one yet. We are expecting 2,000 people, and it's going to be a market that's booming with Latino-owned busi- nesses because Latinos have been there for over 500 years. So this is where, for the US, Latino civiliza- tion and culture really star- ted when the Spanish and the Mexicans came to settle in New Mexico. So it's a proud state. It's a state that we're excited to be hosting our convention in. The 2019 USHCC Natio- nal Convention will take place in Albuquerque, NM on September 29-October 1, 2019. For more information, visit http://ushccconvention. com SPECIAL EDITION Cristina Beran, CEO de Chicago Voice & Data, una empresa de 10 millones de dólares en ventas y que cuenta entre las más de 4.3 millones de compañías que USHCC representa.

• Cover