LATINA Style Business Series (LSBS), Phoenix AZ

By Jakki Perry

Robert Bard, president and CEO, LATINA Style, Inc. and Lupita Colmenero, COO, LATINA Style, Inc. with Kristin Coleman and William Jaramillo of JPMorgan Chase.

The first LATINA Style Business Series (LSBS) of 2022 took place in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 8th. With the support of the Mayor of Phoenix, The Honorable Kate Gallego, the conference opened with a video-taped address, welcoming the attendees to the conference. Attendees also received messages from National Co-Chairs, President of the USHCC Ramiro Cavazos, and USHCC Board Member, Alice Rodriguez. The event was held at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix, and it was the first time the conference was presented in person since the Covid-19 pandemic shut down all in-person events.

Bringing awareness to the needs of Latina business owners and entrepreneurs has been at the forefront of the LATINA Style Business Series. With the onset of the global pandemic, over 30 percent of Latina businesses were forced to shut down, and some have not been able to re-open. Now more than ever, the LSBS has become a much-needed conference, providing resources and information to the local business communities where it’s being presented. Also at the heart of the event is the opportunity to make valuable business connections through its great networking opportunity throughout the day. “When you are in a room full of powerful Latina Entrepreneurs, you can’t help but feel the synergy and amplify the message of passion and optimism,” shares Cherry Perez, Executive Director, Arizona South Market Manager l Business Banking, JPMorgan Chase.

Robert Bard, president and CEO, LATINA Style, Inc. and Lupita Colmenero, COO, LATINA Style, Inc. along with Kristin Coleman of JPMorgan Chase presenting the Entrepreneur of the Year award to Rebecca Heredia, Owner, Baja Ready Mix, LLC.

This interactive business development program brings together Latina business owners with prominent local business entities, government agencies and community organizations. The programs’ focus is to create a solid business foundation for Latina entrepreneurs.

The LSBS presented a series of compelling and relevant panel discussions that are of utmost importance to not just the Latina business owner, but all business owners alike. The topics at hand were; “Financial Recovery, Maximizing Your Local Network and Resources,” Taking the Stigma Out Of Self-Care, and “Social Media In Business.”

(L-R) Moderator Yasmin Rivera, Director of Corporate Affairs, ALPFA; Laura Suarez, Program Director, Prestamos CDFI Women’s Business Center; Diego Verdugo, Financial Professionals, Owner, Orgullo Sonora.

The conference culminates with the LATINA Style Entrepreneur spotlight panel, where a group of local Latina business owners discuss the ups and downs of owning a business and how they were successful during a global pandemic.

One of the highlights of the conference is the LATINA Style Awards Ceremony, where a leading Latina business owner is recognized for her achievements in business and an individual or organization is recognized for their work within the Latino community. This year, the Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to Rebecca Heredia, Owner, Baja Ready Mix, LLC, and the President’s Award was given to the Chicanos Por La Causa community organization. The award was accepted by Teresa Miranda, Vice President of the CDFI Organization, which is an entity within the Chicanos Por La Causa organization that assists aspiring Latina business owners with financial resources to launch their businesses.

Financial Recovery session moderated by Cherry Perez, Executive Director, Marketing Manager for Arizona. Panelists (L-R) Stephanie Vazquez, Founder, Fair Trade Café; Teresa Miranda, VP, Prestamos CDFI and Ivan Garcia, VP/Sr. Business consultant, JPMorgan Chase.

The conference is made primarily possible by collaborations with local Latino organizations, who lend their resources and connections to provide quality and informative speakers. In Phoenix, the LSBS was supported by The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, The Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, The South Valley Chamber of Commerce, as well as professional organizations like ALPFA as well as The University of Phoenix and Grand Canyon University.

Top: Christian Klein (Director, Finance), Lu Yarbrough III (AVP, Enterprise Diverse & Cause Marketing). Bottom: Robert Bard, CEO, LATINA Style, Inc., Elizabeth Romero (Director, Learning & Performance), Brook Warner (Director, Human Resources), Yasmin Rivera (Recruiting Consultant), Lory Burgos (Sr. Consultant, Enterprise Diverse Marketing), Lupita Colmenero, LATINA Style, Inc., COO, and Alia Carrillo (Sr. Financial Analyst).

The conference was attended by over 150 Latina business owners and entrepreneurs from the surrounding Phoenix area.

In its usual fashion, the LATINA Style Business Series was once again presented by the National sponsor of 10 years, Nationwide, along with the new Platinum sponsor JPMorgan Chase and the official LATINA Style airline, American Airlines.

Mistress of Ceremony Aileen Carrasco, Arizona Sports Reporter and TV Personality.

Thank you, Sponsors and Partners Corporate Partners: Nationwide, Chase, American Airlines. Community Partners: Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Sun Valley Chamber of Commerce, ALPFA, Chicanos Por La Causa, Prestamos WBDC University of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University. Business Partners: AANMC, El Chullo Peruvian Restaurant, Your Beautiful Balance, ELLA in Arizona Victory Legal Solutions, Orgullo Sonora, Baja Ready Mix, Decors by Jess, VAS Cosmetics Fair Trade Café, Mujeres Mercado, GLORIA, QCG Construction.