Excitement and a sense of power filled the second floor of the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, at the LATINA Style Business Series on April 22. Conversation buzzed as conferees, sponsors and vendors met and networked—some munching on goodies, others gathering information from the various tables, all enjoying the camaraderie.

The information-packed morning began with Lavan Alexander and Joseph Montes, district director and regional administrator, respectively, of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), who spoke about the types of loan applications offered to small businesses. The SBA does not lend money but agrees to guarantee business loans from 50 percent to 80 percent for qualified borrowers. They have available $21 billion for such guarantees.

Catherine Simpson, director of the Fort Worth Women’s Business Center, explained the center’s services. Located in Fort Worth, it offers classes, workshops, counseling, and other services, many of them free, throughout northern Texas, with the goal of helping women start and grow their businesses.

Lynn White Moline, senior business relations manager for Wells Fargo Bank, the No. 1 lender to small businesses nationwide spoke next. The bank sponsors the annual Anna Maria Arias Memorial Business Fund Awards, in honor of LATINA Style Magazine’s founder, offering 10 $5,000 grants to promising Hispanic businesswomen.

Microsoft technology specialist Larry Garcia rounded off the morning with tips and tricks in Internet and intranet communications.

Attendees, full of fresh ideas and information, then headed to the Business Series luncheon. NBC5 anchorwoman Deborah Ferguson, in her introduction of luncheon keynote speaker Maria Marin, energized the audience: “Latinas are assertive. That’s good. Learn how to turn negatives into positives. Make a commitment and stick to it.”

Over a sumptuous meal of stuffed chicken breasts with pasta and steamed vegetables, author and radio host Marin offered tips on negations in both business and personal relations. Marin, president of Voice of Empowerment, is an international expert in the area of negotiation training.

Though unable to receive the award in person, Lupita Colmenero, owner of El Hispano News and president of the National Association of Hispanic Publishers, was awarded the Business Series’ Latina Award.

A panel of entrepreneurial Latinas was the highlight of the afternoon. The moderator, Rosa Navejar, president of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, introduced the panelists: Gina Puente-Brancato, president and owner of Puente Concessions; Wilka Toppins, president and CEO of Toppins Law Firm, P.C.; and Claudia Mirza, president of Akorbi. The panel encouraged and inspired the Business Series audience. “Latinas have to be excellent. We can’t be just good,” said Mirza.

The Series ended with a drawing for numerous prizes provided by Series sponsors. Over coffee, attendees, sponsors, and speakers had another chance to network, share ideas and inspiration, and debrief the exciting events of the day. The entrepreneurial spirit was alive and well in Fort Worth!

Sponsors: Wal-Mart; American Airlines; Nextel; Pacificare; Office Depot; Principal Financial Group; New York Life; Radisson.

Supporting Governement Agencies: U.S. Department of Energy; U.S. Small Business Administration.

Partner Organizations: HISPA; Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Ft. Worth Women’s Business Center; IHISPANO.COM; 100.0KISSFM; Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; ClearChannel.

Product Sponsors: Colgate-Palmolive and Mary Kay.