Vive Tu Cultura: Uplifting Hispanic Business Owners Every Month

My heart swells with pride every Hispanic Heritage Month. As a CEO of El Salvadoran descent and the child of immigrants who founded the very company I lead, my culture is a core part of my identity and a motivation for my success. So many generations of hardworking Hispanic leaders have shaped our country — through creativity, knowledge, perspective, and tradition — and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to do the same.?

The 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month theme can and should withstand the test of time. Vive Tu Cultura, or “Live Your Culture,” speaks to the power of embracing our heritage, which can endlessly transform entire workplaces, communities, and the world! While the month-long celebration ended this week, the perspectives of Hispanic business owners will objectively make a long-term positive impact.?

Let’s dive deeper the importance of uplifting Hispanic leaders and how you can offer support to minority business enterprises well beyond our heritage month.?

The Importance of Uplifting Hispanic Business Owners?

The economic contributions of Hispanic-owned businesses are awe-inspiring. Did you know we contribute over $800 billion to the U.S. economy every year and employ 2.9 million workers nationwide? And the numbers will rise. Hispanic-owned companies make up nearly 25% of new businesses — ATR International is one of nearly 5 million (and counting)!?

As you can see, the impact of Hispanic business owners is phenomenal. And yet Hispanic-owned firms are less likely to receive financial support from lenders than white-owned businesses. Supporting these companies as consumers and as fellow business leaders can greatly strengthen the U.S. economy.?

Opportunities to Support Hispanic Leaders?

So, how can you do your part? On an individual level, these are some of my favorite ways to support current and aspiring Hispanic business owners:?

• Vote with your wallet by purchasing from Hispanic-owned brands?
• Mentor future leaders in your business or through organizations like Latinas in Tech ?

• Share your favorite Hispanic-owned businesses with your network?

I also make an effort to attend conferences that allow me to connect with diverse leaders. Most recently, I joined Hispanic and Latino professionals at the USHCC National Conference , L’ATTITUDE , and the HITEC Fall Leadership Summit, where I was honored to be recognized as a top-100 Hispanic leader in the technology industry. I also met many women business owners at the Go for the Greens Annual Conference and diverse leaders at Staffing World . (Make sure to comment down below if we connected in-person!)?

On an organizational level, you can support Hispanic business owners through a variety of initiatives, from partnerships and supplier diversity programs to volunteer events with Hispanic nonprofits. Even loudly celebrating the successes of fellow Hispanic business owners — like we do on ATR’s blog for entrepreneurs like Nina Vaca and my mother, Maria Novoa-Brenholz — can make a difference.?

How will you uplift Hispanic business owners in your community? Let’s chat about it in the comments below!?