Hispanic Heritage Month: Entrepreneurship Series

This past fall, we celebrated Hispanic Heritage month with out first ever Hispanic Heritage Month Entrepreneurship series. We interviewed some of Cherokee's Latino business owners. As we go into the new year, we're reflecting on what makes entrepreneurship worth it – and why Cherokee is the number one choice.

To read the full interviews, visit https://cherokeega.org/about/news/.

What inspired you to start your business?

Keren Herrera of Launch Growth Marketing saw a need.

"With Launch Growth Marketing, we wanted to start our own digital marketing agency for home service contractors. I was born in Costa Rica. My family came to the U.S. in 1996. My father was an electrician growing up and my mom worked cleaning houses and buildings. They worked really hard. As Hispanics, you’re just trying to make your way in this world.

I had the opportunity to expand to this field and was able to triple my father-in-law’s HVAC company sales over a few years by creating him a beautiful lead generation website.

My husband and I saw the impact that had on revenue, and that really inspired us. If we could do that for him and for our family and improve the lives of other people that we care about, then we wanted to do that forever. That’s what drives us, and that’s why we started Launch Growth for home service contractors."

How has being in Cherokee County helped grow your business?

Leticia Hutchins of Alma Coffee ? emphasizes the importance of a supportive community and entrepreneurial spirit found here in Cherokee.

"It’s helped a ton – a lot thanks to the Cherokee Office of Economic Development. They’ve supported us every step of the way from our startup phase to now.

We’re really thankful to be in Cherokee County. It’s where my husband and I met, and we moved back here specifically to start our business because we love it here so much.

Cherokee County has a strong entrepreneurial spirit. They are very supportive of small businesses. As soon as a new small business pops up, you see members of our community begin to talk about it, promote it online, and support by purchasing. I think that’s a beautiful thing.

The North Atlanta Venture Mentoring Service [NAV] is another thing that Cherokee Office of Economic Development does to help small businesses. As Alma Coffee is one of the founding ventures, it has been great to experience a more structured mentorship program such as NAV.

We’ve actually graduated from being a venture this fall; my husband has recently joined the mentor team. That’s been really great to grow and start helping our community too."

What advice would you give to other small businesses who are wanting to grow and scale?

Oscar Velez of Three Brothers Painting says connection, connection, connection!

"Don’t sleep on networking. I have seen the value of going out there and making connections. People like doing business with people they know – not just people they know will do a good job.

If you have a connection with somebody, not only does it strengthen your business relationships, but it’s also rewarding. You start finding stuff you can involve yourself in. In the last five years, my wife and I have enjoyed getting involved with things that better our community.

My biggest advice to a business owner would be to find networking organizations and make sure you make the time to attend events – whether that’s Fresh Start Mornings, First Friday, the State of the City, the Chamber etcetera. Make sure that you get yourself out there."

How can we as a community best support you now and in the future?

Cynthia Cifuentes of La Luna Bakery implores the community to get out of their comfort zone and try new things.

"Shop small and support local businesses. Spread the word. Try different things.

People come in the bakery and they’re like, “I see it all the time, but I’ve never been here.” And to that I say, “You need to try it!” Once they stop by, they start coming back more and more."

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you as a business owner?

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the community and the culture – but it shouldn't stop there according to Rudy Garza of Garza Insurance.

"Si se puede. Yes, you can.

My siblings told me a long time ago I should open up my own agency. I just didn’t think I could. This community has given me the confidence to be able to do that and because of that I can tell other Hispanics, yes you can.

One person that I look up to and that tells me, “Yes, you can,” is Oscar Velez, from Three Brothers Painting. He is like a little brother that gives me so much advice. I have other people that are of other ethnic groups, that are younger or older than me, that take me under their wings and help me out too – it means a lot whether you’re Hispanic or not.

That’s where I feel responsible. Business owners in Cherokee are the ones that should be telling them and showing them yes, it is possible. In this world, anything is possible. Si se puede.

It doesn’t matter if you’re Hispanic or not, I believe wholeheartedly that’s what Cherokee County has. It doesn’t matter what ethnic group you are in – that acceptance exists in our county. We support each other, and that’s a beautiful thing."

As we head into the new year, remember "Si se puede. Yes, you can!"

To read more about these Cherokee Hispanic business owners, visit our website!