Highlights of Three 2016 Hispanic Small Businesses
In 2016 Latin Business Today featured a cross section of Hispanic businesses.
Here are three Hispanic businesses many featured in 2016. Included in this group were notable Hispanic small businesses from three industries: a medical services company, a distributor and a retail bakery.
The lessons learned from these successful small business owners are invaluable.
1. Hispanic Businesswomen Are Baking Up Goodness
Business is a family affair for two Hispanic businesswomen the owners of Bronxville’s Chantilly Patisserie.
These two Hispanic businesswomen also hope to open a second shop and possibly offer classes. Wholesale and catering are also in the future for Chantilly. ”We take so much pride in what we do. We make everything from scratch, every single day. We want people to notice the products that we make.”
Future Plans
Finding a good work-life balance is difficult as an entrepreneur, admits 33-year-old Maria, who wakes up at 4 a.m. to go to work. While she loves baking, its hard to have a social life. In the future, she hopes it will become more balanced, giving her time to take a trip or spend more time with friends.
Right now, the three Latinas are doing everything. In the future, Maria hopes their jobs will be more defined. That would help them find more balance. Doing so would also enable Maria to find the time to take a business class, which is something she really wants to do.
These two Hispanic businesswomen also hope to open a second shop and possibly offer classes.
Wholesale and catering are also in the future for Chantilly. We take so much pride in what we do. We make everything from scratch, every single day. We want people to notice the products that we make. When people come inits like they’re 40 and they come into my shop and theyre suddenly 7 years old, she says.
The adults go up and down looking and saying, I want this one, but I want this one. But I want that one as well. Its pretty comical. We dont make it easy for people to decide what they want to take home.
2. A Family’s Entrepreneurial Journey Began in Cuba
The legacy of this Latino entrepreneurial spirit was passed down to Domingo’s grandson and Juilo René’s son, René.
Among the many important lessons René learned was from his grandfather when he about ten or twelve was the value of hard work. As CEO of an Atlanta based business, René understands and embraces the importance of Díaz Foods’ corporate responsibility in the community. René himself has chaired United Way campaigns and established an internship programs at Díaz Foods for high school and college students.
A Small Business Grows
Díaz Foods has grown in ways his grandfather and father could not have imagined. Díaz Foods is one of the largest distributors of Hispanic products (refrigerator products, dairy, meat and produce) in the United States, serving more than 5,000 customers in 25 states. And although René didn’t fulfill his dream of working at Coca Cola, Díaz Foods is one of Coke’s major fountain business distributors.
Technology has played a role in the growth of the business. Two Díaz Food sales call centers located in Mexico and Atlanta are using leading edge IT solutions for outbound sales and sales research. And when it came time to implement warehouse productivity software, “the Díaz family of employees” shattered the vendor’s own best record.
Giving Back and Seeking Balance
As CEO of an Atlanta based business, René understands and embraces the importance of Díaz Foods’ corporate responsibility in the community. René himself has chaired United Way campaigns and established an internship programs at Díaz Foods for high school and college students. Employees at Díaz Foods are encouraged to volunteer their time to organizations they are passionate about.
As busy as René is, he knows that when he is home, he is home – there are no discussions about work and the business. He admits it’s not easy with email and texts at your fingertips.
“I sleep well at night, my grandfather and father taught me to respect and commit to work – show up, show that you care. But, you must also know there is a time to be with and enjoy your family.”
Next- Hispanic small business #3
