Investing in Latina Power: Unleashing the Economic Potential of an Often Invisible Community- My San Antonio Startup Week Keynote

This past Tuesday, I was honored to speak on a panel and present a keynote during Latinx Day at San Antonio Startup Week 2024. It was the final day of Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month, which was quite fitting for this year's event's theme.

My keynote highlighted the economic potential of Latinas and Latina Business Owners. Latinas contribute $1.3 trillion to U.S. GDP (from the U.S. Latina GDP Report). Latina businesses are one of the fastest-growing segments of entrepreneurs in the U.S.

As the CEO and host of my conference, Hustle + Socialize, I've seen not only the power Latina Business Owners have on our economy but also the impact each of these women is making to change the trajectory of their lives and generations to come. I launched H+S in 2018, after witnessing gaps in our San Antonio market as it pertains to providing access, resources, networking, and contract opportunities for minority businesswomen. There is a lot of gatekeeping in San Antonio. Hustle + Socialize was a way to disrupt that and foster a more inclusive environment- one focused on collaboration, connection, and ways for us to thrive. And a huge way for us to continue to move the needle forward is for companies to make monetary SPONSORSHIP investments in my conference.

While we have made some milestones in creating opportunities for Latina Business Owners, there are still so many barriers we face. I'm going to dive into some of which I touched on during my Keynote presentation.

• Lack of Visibility: Latina entrepreneurs do not see themselves represented in rooms like C-suite, on stages, and provided opportunities to be visible in business circles. They often don’t receive the same media attention.
• Access to Capital: Latina business owners face significant challenges in accessing loans, grants, and venture capital.
• Cultural Misunderstanding: Marketing strategies fail to authentically connect with the values of the Latina community.
• Discrimination or bias & financial literacy Information & education gaps

If you're reading this, I have a call to action for YOU. INVEST IN US. SUPPORT. US

Here are some ways you can help become part of the solution!

Financial Investments:

• Increasing access to grants, loans, and venture capital for Latina businesses.
• Expand Government Grants & Loans
• Highlight organizations or investors that focus on minority entrepreneurs.
• Financial Literacy Programs

Community Investments:

• Collaborating with nonprofits, educational programs, and local governments to uplift Latina leaders.
• Creating mentorship programs and workshops for Latinas entering leadership roles.
• Corporate Sponsorships
• Support Policy Changes for Equity

My hope is that we continue to make key investments in our community so that we can continue to thrive.

My call to action to you is if you feel compelled to Sponsor Hustle + Socialize 2025, send me a message. Our 2025 Conference will be on June 6-7, 2025 and we are rocking and rolling with Sponsorship opportunities! I would love to get you and your company locked in ASAP!

Thank you to Geekdom and San Antonio Startup Week for having me speak at this year's event!