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LSBS
Anaheim 2004 |
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On Dec.
3, 2004, the last of six 2004 LATINA
Style Business Series events
came to the happiest place on earth:
the Disneyland Hotel Resort. It was
a day full of magic, empowerment and
inspiration. Hundreds of women
participated in the series which
offered them an opportunity to
expand their visions as
entrepreneurs and build
relationships among other successful
business professionals.
Sponsors and representatives arrived
early to set up their booths, which
offered valuable information and
resources to share with the guest
during the networking breakfast.
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Walt Disney representative Efrain Fuentes
welcomed the audience and spoke about the
importance of the Latino and Latina consumer
and the need of a universal theme of unity
among Latinos.
The morning’s workshops exposed the
audience to useful information, ranging from
small business development to technology
trends to financial planning. Sandra Sutton,
district director of the U.S. Small Business
Administration, spoke first, followed by
Velma Sanchez, national initiatives regional
director for Citibank; Emma
Ramirez-Hightower, an agent with State Farm
Insurance; Martita Mestey, director of
ihispano.com; and Jose Ulloa, president of
Latinos 2010.
Following the morning speakers, it was time
for the Latina Entrepreneur Award Luncheon
sponsored by Office Depot. Jayne V. Mossler,
regional marketing manager for Office Depot,
and Mistress of Ceremony Maria Garcia,
special assignment reporter for Telemundo
52, introduced keynote speaker Maria Marin,
president and CEO of Voices of Empowerment.
Marin encouraged the audience to take action
and make its dreams come true without
setting any limitations. “Expect more,” she
said. “You demand more and you will get
more!”
Following the delicious meal, the afternoon
provided a little food for the soul with the
Latina Entrepreneur Experience and Success
Panel. Moderated by Oralia Michel of Oralia
Michel Marketing and Public Relations, the
panel was comprised of three successful
businesswomen: Maria de Lourdes Sobrino,
owner of Lulu’s Dessert; Sheila Guarderas,
president and CEO of Superior Services; and
Emily Robinson, president of Robinson and
Associates. The panelists shared stories of
their initiation into entrepreneurship, the
challenges they encountered, and their
triumphs. “Hearing how other women started
their business,” said attendee Cheryl
Espinoza, “inspires me as a Latina to use
all the resources available to us to become
strong and provide for our community.”
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Latina
Entrepreneur panel: Oralia
Michel, Sheila Guarderas, Emily
Robinson and Maria de Lourdes
Sobrino |
Efrain
Fuentes, Walt Disney Company |
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Enjoying a
lighter moment during the
conference. |
Keynote
Speaker Maria Marin with Maria
Garcia of Telemundo |
Disney’s theme of
“Inspire, Innovate and Dream” was the
resounding message throughout the
seminar.
Dessert gave the business seminar a
tasty closing touch. Lucky participants’
enthusiasm soared during the
end-of-the-day raffle as they received
gifts donated by the events sponsors,
and everyone took the opportunity for
another round of networking before
heading home with sponsor giftbags.
For more information on upcoming and
past events of the LATINA Style
Business Series, check out the LATINA
Style website at
http://bs.latinastyle.com
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Event
Sponsors: American
Airlines, Citibank, New York
Life, Office Depot, Pacific
Care, State Farm Insurance, US
Bank, Principal Financial Group,
Wal-Mart and the Walt Disney
Company.
Supporting Government Agencies:
U.S. Department of Energy, U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban
Development, U.S. Small Business
Administration.
Partner
Organizations: The
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of
Orange County, ihispano.com,
Latin Business Association,
Latino Business Conexion, Latin
Business Institute and the
United States Hispanic Chamber
of Commerce. |
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