Hundreds of businesswomen and entrepreneurs gathered at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables on May 20 to share business experience and ideas at the LATINA Style Business Series. The previous evening, attendees had indulged in an evening of pampering and relaxation at The Healthy Wealthy You spa, where they enjoyed a session of mini-spa treatments as well as a chance to network over hors d’oeuvres.
 

Juan Roberto Job from New York Life during the “Healthy Wealthy You” panel	Mayor Don Slesnick

Veteran and emerging entrepreneurs from all ethnic and professional backgrounds made the Business Series a learning experience but also an invigorating social event.

The morning began with the introduction of speakers by Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick, who extended an invitation to entrepreneurs to open businesses at Coral Gables. “This is a great area to be welcoming all of you,” he said. “We would love to be your partners, so I encourage you to visit our City Beautiful.”

U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) marketing manager Ilene P. Rubio stressed the role of this federal agency in Florida and the United States. She pointed out the importance of creating networking among companies through a program called SBA’s Business Matchmaking, a program “specifically tailored to small business so that they can be better prepared for major challenges.”

Odalis G. Martinez, consumer marketing executive for Bank of America, mentioned Bank of America’s services to small business, such as loans, online bank services, and mortgages. “We want to help our business owners to make their job easier,” said Martinez.

New York Life Agent Lillian Cosio encouraged women to become aware of all the areas where women do not have an active financial participation.

Michel Martel, an applications instructor from computer-learning center New Horizons, informed the audience of new technology and Microsoft Office updates, such as voice recording and automatic evaluations.

A succulent plate was served at The Latina Entrepreneur Award Luncheon, sponsored by Office Depot. Patty Palma, representing Office Depot, America’s largest office-products retailer, introduced Mistress of Ceremony CBS4 Anchorwoman Ileana Varela.

Keynote Speaker Maria Marin, an internationally renowned expert in negotiation training, addressed the attendees with an encouraging message. “You must ask for more that you’re demanding,” she said.

Latina Entrepreneur Panel: Lisa Silvera, Monica Puig, Ana Alleguez, Gabriela Cora-Locatelli	Office Depot representative Linda Watson

Also during the luncheon, Lisa Silvera, senior vice president of Thinkking Media, received an award of recognition for her leadership as an entrepreneur.

Following lunch, three Latina leaders took to the stage for the Latina Entrepreneur Panel: Gabriela Cora-Locatelli, president of the Executive Health & Wealth Institute; Latin Business Club of America President Monica Puig; and Alleguez & Associates. President Ana Alleguez. The panel was moderated by Lisa Silvera.

Panelists stressed that a woman must always be a key player in her workplace and be the first in taking part in projects in order to be successful. “We must believe in ourselves to achieve what we want. You will have ups and downs, but we must go along with it,” said Puig.

Empowerment speaker Krystal F. Scott praised the efforts that the Business Series is making to connect and inform successful women around the country. “This is the basic knowledge we all must have,” she said.

The Business Series culminated with a raffle full of prizes, such as a Coach bag, a Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club membership, a Nextel telephone, and an American Airlines round-trip ticket to Latin America.

Future and current Latina entrepreneurs can visit www.latinastyle.com for more information about the Business Series seminar.

Sponsors: Wal-Mart; American Airlines; Nextel; Office Depot; Principal Financial Group; New York Life; Bank of America.

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

Partner Organizations: U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Thinkking Media; Women’s Chamber of commerce of Miami-Dade County; Women’s Business Development Center; Latin Business; NSHP; Hispanic Coalition; Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Outreach Business Alliance; ALPFA; Miami Beach latin Chamber of Commerce; Cuban American National Council; ElHearldo.com.

Product Sponsors: Colgate-Palmolive and Mary Kay.