Hispanic Business Owners, Exhibitors, Thought Leaders Converge [Video]

astorino_lawler.v3.jpg

MicroTech’s Jimenez Keynotes 2nd Annual Latin Business Today-Westchester County Hispanic Business Summit

Westchester County, NY Executive Rob Astorino

When Tony Jimenez took the stage at the second annual Hispanic Small Business Summit at Westchester County Community College in Valhalla, the audience was captivated by his life story, family background, military service and the way that he started his now flourishing technology business.

Summit host, Latin Business Today advisory board member and MetLife VP, Debra Cruz 

Jimenez,  the CEO and President of MicroTech – a Vienna, Virginia based IT company–explained why he chose to start a business in technology, how he started the business, how  it scaled and grew as well as the challenges he encountered along the way and important takeaways for small business owners.

Key note speaker, Latin Business Today advisory board member, President, CEO MicroTech

“It was an honor to participate in the Hispanic Small Business Summit,” Jimenez said. “The event brought together a number of entrepreneurs, and gave all participants a chance to talk not only about business but also focused on how to enable the success and growth of Latino small businesses. I was impressed with the turnout of Hispanic small business owners just outside New York City.”

Jon Pierre Millan, MasterCard

A cross-section of Hispanic business owners were represented at the Oct. 7 Summit titled, “Crossroads to Customers, Capital and Contracts.” The event was co-sponsored by Latin Business Today and Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino.

“Approximately 10 percent of all Westchester businesses are owned by Hispanics and that number continues to grow each year,” said Astorino.  “As a result, we are working hard to create environments that bring business owners together to learn about every available tool that can help start of grow their enterprise.”

Allegory Studios, partner Andrea Cottter conductig the brand workshop

After Jimenez’s keynote, he also chaired a panel discussion featuring several Hispanic business executives and business owners. Panelists included:

Tony Jimenez moderating the panel

  • Carlos Fonseca, senior vice president, MetLife, and former Vice President, Coca Cola Company, MasterCard and IBM
  • Carola Bracco, CEO, Neighbors Link and formerly of GE, Ford and Time Warner
  • Steven Alfasi, attorney, Ponzini and Novick, LLP
  • William Mooney III, director, Westchester County Office of Economic Development

Following the panel, attendees could choose from four workshops featuring experts in brand strategies, marketing, finance and legal:

President Prosper Communications Lisa Kaslyn conducting the web marketing workshop

  1. Brand strategies, elevator pitches and networking led by Andrea Cotter, partner at Allegory Studios
  2. Web marketing, SEO, content marketing and social media led by Lisa Kaslyn of Prosper Communications
  3. Financial led by Master Your Card electronic purchasing/inventory (MasterCard) and Alex Hart and Stella Vida of Hart Vida Raffo, CPA firm covering funding options and credit health
  4. Legal led by attorneys Steven Alfasi and John Murtagh from Ponzini and Novak, LLP, Robert Goodman, Senen Garcia from SG Law on small business hiring and legal documentation, and intellectual property

IBM marketing manager, Pam Sclafani and Don Fernandez (Dr. Les “Coach” Fernandez’s son)

“We were fortunate to be able to bring together business professionals to mentor Hispanic small business owners with a compelling keynote, distinguished panel, and workshop leaders covering marketing, finance and legal challenges,” says Barry Mittelman, publisher, Latin Business Today. “The cross section of exhibitors included a mix of Latino small business owners, non-profits and government all contributed to the networking session. New business relationships were forged at this session.”

Attendees exhibitors and County Executive Astorino 

Gold sponsors of the event include TD Bank and MasterCard; Silver sponsors: AdCorp, HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc., NY Life and Westchester Hispano; Bronze sponsors: Boy Scouts of America, Community Capital, New York Dominican Film Festival, Gaucho Grill, La Flor De Jalisco Bakery, SBDC and Score and Westchester Community College.

County Executive Rob Astorino…it’s a wrap

Related article:

2014 Crossroads to “Customers, Capital and Contracts

RELATED POSTS

Latino Streetwear Entrepreneur Balances Style & Struggle [Video]

Latino Streetwear Entrepreneur Balances Style & Struggle [Video]

Hispanic business owner Mathew Galvez's brand is a reminder of the strength and resilience Age does not limit success. You’re never too young or too old to start pursuing your ambitions. Mathew Galvez who started creating his business plan at the age of 16 while still...

Video Gallery

Polls

Sign Up for the Latin Biz Today Newsletter

PR Newswire

Featured Authors

Innovation & Strategy

Money

Talent/HR

Legal

Marketing

Culture

Fashion

Food

Music

Sports

Work & Life

Mindfulness

Health & Fitness

Travel & Destinations

Personal Blogs

Pin It on Pinterest