Anthony Reyes > www.reyesclothinginc.com

Anthony Reyes, President & CEO Reyes Clothing Company

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
I come from a humble hard working Latin family , to be a entrepreneur the first things is never to let no one or anything say you can not do it , you need ambition , motivation, will and the most important thing is to believe in yourself.
What did inspire you to start your business?
It all started in HS , I found out I have a secret love for art and ever since I use to just do graffiti everywhere until the time came and started making money out of it , and now I put my art my vision and thoughts on clothes, and from there is where Reyes Clothing Inc came. I saw it as a great opportunity to take my ideas to the next level.

How did you finance it?
It all came out of pocket and then from money I made I put it back in untill now and just thank god it keep on growing.

Being Hispanic...Does it have any influence on your business?
Yes it does it allows me to expand my market without limits.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
I don't let no one tell me it can not be done. I believe in myself and know that I ( Reyes Clothing Comp Inc ) will be a power house and one of the best in the business.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
Like any other new business owner: capital , customers , clients ,but as time goes by you, as an individual, grow and so does the company, because without a challenge what is the point.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
As times comes I'm sure I will change things around for the best.

What was your childhood ambition?
LOL I always said one day I will buy the block were I live.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
Oscar De La Renta: He has a vision for clothes and is a Latino like myself: He has overcome some rough time not only in his personal life but also in the business side .

Sun Tzu: He was a General but a very wise man.

Bill Gates of what a small idea may become the leading company in the world

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Reyes Clothing is open for business 24 hr a day 7 days a week

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
I have sacrificed my personal and family life to become an entrepreneur

What is your favorite quote?
Why wait for tomorrow

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
This is who I am.

Biggest mistake made?
None

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
Yes I do. I give fashion a new look, a new style and some real crazy ideas. Reyes Clothing Co. Inc. is a new upcoming company full with energy, drive, and determination, a company for the people by the people, always using some of the best materials in the business and very unique designs sure to be liked by you all. See website www.reyesclethinginc.com

Natasha Khost > www.ananatai.com

Natasha Khost Co-Founder Ananatai Collections, Inc

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
We come from humble backgrounds, so to be an entrepreneur we had to start with a dream. You need ambition and motivation to go where you never thought you would go. You need drive and determination to make that dream a true part of your reality.

What did inspire you to start your business?
We knew we wanted to do something great with jewelry. We knew we could introduce not only our own unique designs and creations, but also that of our own countries. We saw it as a great opportunity to take our ideas and really take it to the next level; to showcase our jewelry and to become profitable by doing so.That's why we eventually decided to create Ananatai Collections, Inc.

How did you finance it?
We are a small business. We financed it with our own money and in the very beginning, with a loan.

Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?
Yes it does! We feel we have a little edge and advantage being Hispanic and that we have the opportunity to introduce and showcase what it means to be Latina through the colors and designs of our jewelry.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
We have been disillusioned many times in establishing our business. Things didn't happen fast enough or we were cheated and taken advantage of because we were so new to the business. We kept going because we had faith in our dream. We did not want all of our efforts to be in vain and we thought if THEY could do it, why can't we?

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
Our biggest challenge has been getting people to know that Ananatai exists. That we've "arrived". We launched our website earlier this year but we have been working on Ananatai for a few years now. Ananatai is ready to be known!

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
We are sure that as we grow, things will have to be modified and re-invented in order to be more efficient. However, right now we would not change anything.

What was your childhood ambition?
To be successful and happy.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
1. Oscar De La Renta - At only 18yrs old, he left the Dominican Republic and went off to study art and design in Spain and has since made his name renowned in the fashion industry. He truly knows his trade. His fashion designs embody what it really means to be a confident woman. and most importantly, he hasn't forgotten where he came from.

2. Bill Gates - True example of how a small business and an idea can grow to exorbitant proportions with hard work and dedication.

3. Oprah Winfrey- great personality and amazing businesswoman. She overcame a troubled childhood and is now one of the richest women in the world!

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Lunch! The day is still young and you're mind is active and ready to work!

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
The biggest sacrifice is time. The journey you go through to get the business off the ground and to help it grow requires a lot of your time and energy. If there is no dedication, there is no business and ultimately no success.

What is your favorite quote?
"...we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope." (verse from the bible)

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
Sometimes it is challenging. However we have lots of creativity and ideas that it is expressed though our jewelry. Jewelry is just our medium.

Biggest mistake made?
Probably not doing this sooner.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
Absolutely. We strive to provide our customers with pieces they can seldom find anywhere else...we are innovators in that way.

Ananatai is an online jewelry retailer which was started by three college friends: Ana, Natasha and Taisha, Ananatai prides itself in providing a very innovative and good quality product at a lower price than most of our competitors.
http://www.ananatai.com/

Molly Robbins > www.licenzing.com

Molly Robbins, CEO www.licenzing.com

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
To face your fear and “go for it”; be prepared and get as much knowledge about the business you are going into; surround yourself with people you can rely on for support and sound advise.

What did inspire you to start your business?
I feel we are defined by the experiences and actions of our lifetime. After 15 years I felt I had the experience and network to start a branding agency on my own.

How did you finance it?
I had an angel investor.

Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?
Yes of course. I launched my apparel brands Chucho™ and Palomita™ because of my being Hispanic. Additionally with the support of our community I am now dedicated to giving back through the Palomita™ education fund. A foundation I established to provide scholarships for Latinos in high school who want to further their education.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
As an entrepreneur I am always looking for opportunity while accepting/facing the associated risk

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
Receiving payment in a timely fashion.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
We would like more clients.

What was your childhood ambition?
To become a corporate attorney.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
Maria Sobrino/Lulu desserts: she has been in business now for over 20 years. She started her “gelatina” company from her desire to make something that was nostalgic from her home Mexico. She is a very well respected business woman and one of the classiest ladies i have had the pleasure to meet.

Alex Lopez Negrete/ Lopez Negrete Communications : a childhood friend that started his Hispanic marketing agency in 1985 and is now one of the country’s most influential marketing consulting firms.

Steve Jobs/ Apple: he is amazing!

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Any time, any where, I am there and on time!

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
It is very stressful to start your own business venture: I have sacrificed much needed sleep and “down time” with family and friends.

What is your favorite quote?
“Every brand has at its core a substance that gives it strength. You have to understand it before you can grow it.” Scott bedbury

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
If I were any different people wouldn’t recognize me.

Biggest mistake made?
Not starting my company a few years earlier.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
I do. I am creative and i have introduced change within my business scope.

Licenzing llc, my brand building agency, is unique in that we offer not only the traditional pr and marketing services of an ad agency, but also brand licensing support.
The palomita™ and chucho™ hispanic fashion brands i developed and launched are using creative elements of our hispanic culture’s “branded” nostalgia.
I established the palomita™ education fund to support and encourage future generations of latinos to become innovators!!

About the Company
Headquartered in suburban San Francisco, LicenZing LLC, has quickly and quietly become THE boutique shop for lifestyle brand building through PR, marketing and licensing. LicenZing works with a select range of clients in areas such as fashion, fitness, innovative design and technology in consumer goods. The company provides a range of brand building services from strategic planning, creative services, media buying, merchandising and licensing.

Most recently its founder launched two apparel lines into the market: Palomita™ and Chucho™. “Esta marca es para ti” This brand is for you, is the tagline for these brands, focusing on Latino male and female consumers. Robbins has secured exclusive rights to use trademarks and vintage art from an array of Latino companies. The Chucho™ and Palomita™ brands incorporate these colorful graphics providing a platform for individual style. Robbins has also established an education foundation the Palomita Education Fund to empower Latinos by supporting their educational advancement. The Foundation receives funds through the sale of the branded Palomita™ and Chucho™ tops as well as through its annual Piensa Mas Alla charity event.

Zameer Upadhya > www.babyspot.com

Zameer Upadhya, CEO & Co-Founder, BabySpot, Inc.

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
An entrepreneur needs “Ganas”. He or she needs that deep, down fire and passion to pursue their dreams with full vigor.

What did inspire you to start your business?
A very good friend of mine, James Rivera, had his first son, Danny, two and a half years ago. He kept sending me picture after picture of his son for over two months. Danny, is adorable, but one day I was joking around with James and told him that with the 5,000 pictures he had sent me of his son, he could buy a website, call it http://www.babyspot.com/, and put his son on it. The next day James called me and told me he bought the domain name. Turns out that James and his wife, Monica, did not feel comfortable putting their son's picture on MySpace or Facebook as they did not consider these sites to be safe and secure. We created a site for Danny and the next thing we knew we received many requests from other parents who shared similar concerns. Thus, James and I, started a social networking site for new parents and it’s been a dream ride ever since

How did you finance it?
Thus far our company has been financed internally. We received an initial infusion of seed money from James' parents and everything else has been on us. We took a major risk, but because we believed in what we were doing, it was well worth it.

Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?
My background is very diverse. Sharing heritage from Spain, Cuba, India, Kenya, Tanzania, and Saudi Arabia I value many culture and moral values. Each of these cultures places a strong emphasis on family. Family is the most important thing in this world to me. With it you are everything, without it you are nothing. In business, we operate as a family. My business partner, our members, and our advertisers are all treated as family. Placing them in this regard pushes us to give them all the best service - the type of service we would give our own family. This is a Hispanic value and one that helps separate us from the rest.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of the death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Life is a journey - it has many peaks and many valleys. The road is guaranteed to be bumpy. I think that every successful entrepreneur has to have faith in something, whether it’s God, the universe, or whatever - they must have faith that things work out as they should. This faith when combined with passion is what drives me to keep climbing the mountain. Remember the old saying: “If the mountain was smooth, you could never climb it.”

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
Our biggest challenge has been establishing our brand with limited resources. Since we are self-funded we have not been able to engage all of the PR and Marketing efforts that we would like to. We take this as a challenge and push ourselves to think of innovative ways to reach the market.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
Truthfully I wouldn't change one thing. The journey has been tough, challenging, fun, rewarding, and a blessing. I can't see myself doing anything else.

What was your childhood ambition?
To play baseball for the Chicago Cubs or to own the team.
Mi ambición de niño era jugar pelota para los Chicago Cubs o ser dueño de este equipo de pelota.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
Richard Branson - One of the most innovative entrepreneurs ever. His willingness to think beyond the box and do things that most people would not is encouraging for all entrepreneurs.

Steve Jobs - Possibly one of the greatest marketing entrepreneurs of our time. He has built a loyal brand that always reinvents itself. Amazing

Ahmed Mohamedali - My grandfather passed away in 2003. His whole life was spent on the entrepreneurial journey. He had many ups and downs, but at his funeral was remembered by hundreds for his kindness and willingness to go the extra mile for all.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
None. I prefer to save meals for personal time - breakfast, lunch, and dinner for personal time.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
Whenever you pursue a dream you do have to make many sacrifices. I have lived on planes and out of suitcases for the last few years and taken on debt to reach a goal of imminent success. It’s been tough to balance a social life with a personal drive for success. Initially I probably sacrificed too much, but over time learned to balance it all as best as possible.

What is your favorite quote?
"Within every difficulty lies opportunity." - Albert Einstein

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
No. It is only difficult if you don't have faith in your beliefs and convictions. I heard once if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything. Going against the norm is only difficult if you don't believe deep within your heart that what you are striving for, what you are trying to accomplish, is worth it. If it is, then being unconventional is as normal as breathing.

Biggest mistake made?
By no means am I perfect, however, I don't regret any decisions that I have made. Mistakes are but opportunities to learn and grow. Every step that I have taken has brought me closer to my next goal. I have stumbled, fallen, and gotten back up through every mistake that I have encountered.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
Yes. I think every successful entrepreneur is an innovator. They have to be in order to succeed. Often they have to come up with innovative solutions when there is no clear answer.

About the Company

www.BabySpot.com and http://www.babyspotlatino.com/ are free, safe, and secure social networking and informational sites for new parents to share pictures, videos, and parenting tips in a community specific to their needs. They were established in 2006 in response to James and Monica Rivera's desire to share their son, Danny's, pictures with family members online in a safe and secure manner.

Ray Hernandez > www.MyBabyOurBaby.com

Ray Hernandez, Founder and CEO

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
You need to be able to finish things on your own. There will always be people saying they're willing to help, but if you can't make things happen on your own. It's going to be hard to get your business rolling.

What did inspire you to start your business?
All of my friends were starting to have children. Since I was the "web designer guy" I kept getting asked to design and build websites for their kids. Instead of doing it one at a time, I decided to build a system where parents everywhere could have a free website for their kids.

How did you finance it?
With all the change I found in my couch. Which wasn't much.

Being Hispanic?Does it have any influence on your business?

Yes it does. Hispanics tend to be very family oriented, and my business is all about bringing family and friends together.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
My family is always my inspiration. I want to make a better life for them, so I always push forward.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
Finding resources to grow. It takes a lot of time, money, and code to keep a site like this alive and growing.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
I would have looked at venture financing, from the beginning. When you're financed you can focus on the goal.

What was your childhood ambition?
I was going to either be a major league baseball player or a famous artist in New York City.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
Mark Cuban - He's living the dream. He built a site that he knew could work. A major company saw the potential, bought the company. And now he has a wiffle ball field in his living room, as well as be the owner of the Dallas Mavericks. What could be better?

Kevin Rose - Founder of Digg - He has created a career on ideas. He sees what's going on on the net, and what needs to be fixed. From there he turns his ideas into web applications that we all use today.

Matt Mullenweg - Founding Developer of Wordpress - Open source guru. He's built one of the largest blogging platforms, that my business uses as it's backbone. Thanks Matt.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Dinner for me. I know meetings with me turn into brainstorming, so they tend to go long. I'm a night owl.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
Financing my own company, meant not spending any time with my friends and family. I had to put my head down and just focus on my goal, which was launching www.MyBabyOurBaby.com

What is your favorite quote?
"There's no time like the present"

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
I've always been unconventional. I've started little companies since I was a little kid. I always knew I'd only be happy if I was working for myself.

Biggest mistake made?
Not sure, but there is plenty of time to compile a list of my mistakes. You gotta make mistakes to figure out what needs to be done better.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
I would. I'm always trying to figure out how to fix the problem. There always has to be a way to fix things. All you have to do is make something to fix it.

About the Company

My Baby Our Baby
Plenty of other sites allow parents to create online scrapbooks and keepsake photo albums, but no other site makes it easier for busy parents to collect and organize memories from invited family members and friends.

In today's world, almost everyone has images gathering dust on their hard drives. Instead of devoting hours to tracking all these images and memories down on your own, let us help you with the legwork. You'll end up with tons of memories you didn't even know you had and a whole lot more time for creating new ones.

Contact the Company here:http://www.mybabyourbaby.com

Anthony Aldaño > www.theamarugroup.com

Anthony Aldaño Co-Founder The Amaru Group

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
You need to have a burning desire and passion to do whatever it is that is in your heart.

What inspired you to start your business?
My first company (LatinosStep.com) evolved organically as I was coordinating College Step Shows as a hobby. During my second New York City show I looked out over the amphitheatre at the 1,000 attendees and realized I had stumbled upon something. After working for myself for so long and having an entrepreneurial spirit I want to continue creating unique media properties under my own direction. The Amaru Group is an extension of what I have been doing since 1999, creating media & event properties that reach the New Generation Latino market.

How did you finance it?
LatinosStep.com was financed on credit cards and my Partner Jesus Diaz's dad (for our Miami show.) We produced national college Step Shows for the Latino college market, we usually broke-even with ticket sales. Within three years of launching LatinosStep we were acquired by LatCom Communications, in an equity buy-out. In 2006, LatCom was acquired by Batanga.com a Latino music portal. My latest company The Amaru Group is being financed with our own working capital.

Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?
Being Latino has everything to do with my business. All my relative business success is due to my cultura. All my business models have revolved around the Latino culture and demographic, how to reach them, understand them, market to them and create event properties that cater for them. All of this is relatively easy to do when you are marketing to yourself.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
It's important to surround yourself with a solid, smart and hardworking team of people you can trust. Although this isn't easy to find it is always the goal. With these things in place you are better equipped to handle any adversity that comes your way. Knowing that provides the drive to keep going and follow your heart.

What was your childhood ambition?
My childhood ambition was to be a chemist. Then in High School I realized how numbers & formula driven it is, I crossed chemistry off my list.

Tell us about an entrepreneur that you admire?
There are so many I admire Robert Johnson (BET) created the first African-American cable network when no one believed it would succeed, Russel Simmons (Def Jam) pioneered the billion dollar hip-hop industry through managing one of the first commercially successful Rap groups RUN-D-MC and starting a clothing line.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
None of the above, I prefer to get straight to business rather than clutter a meeting with a noisy restaurant or little table space.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
The money isn't always immediately there as an entrepreneur, but if you're good at what you do then there are some potential big payouts along the way.

What is your favorite quote?
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great". - Mark Twain

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
I consider myself someone who has followed their heart and has made sound business decisions.

About The Amaru Group:
The Amaru Group has over 30 years of combined experience in launching and managing, media and event properties catered to the Latino College markets. We have developed an expertise in creating unique solutions for thisdemographic.

Find out more about us by visiting www.TheAmaruGroup.com

George Burciaga > www.smarTECHS.net

George Burciaga Chief Executive Officer of smarTECHS.net

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
You need a great idea as well as the focus and passion to turn that idea into reality. You have to be ready to risk everything to win it all.

What did inspire you to start your business?
Necessity. I was raised in an environment where I needed to succeed in order to survive.

How did you finance it?
I financed my business through hard work or what I like to call “sweat equity.” I worked many nights with little to no sleep. I have worked for every penny that I have ever made.

Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?
Yes, I grew up in a culture where working hard with a strong commitment to family and community was very important. It’s where I get my work ethic.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
Adversity is part of my everyday business routine. I have no choice but to overcome adversity. I have a lot people who depend on me: my family, my staff, my clients and my community. I have made a commitment to them that I will succeed and that my support will help them succeed too.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
After Y2K came and went, so did my business. In order to survive in the marketplace, I had to completely change my company’s business model. I had to reinvent and re-brand my business, converting it into a full service IT firm in order to continue to grow.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
I would have started my business sooner. As they say, hindsight is always 20/20, so I wish I possessed the business acumen I have today. I wish I could tell that 22-year-old kid all the things I know now.

What was your childhood ambition?
I wanted to have the power to change the way people live for the better.

Tell us about an entrepreneur that you admire?
Oprah. She’s built an incredible brand and has actually changed the way people think. It’s amazing the way great entrepreneurs can actually change the way people behave.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Lunch.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
I had to completely remove myself from the equation in order to succeed. I had to sacrifice a lot and give up some my personal desires like getting sleep and buying things that I wanted. I had to work harder and work smarter than everyone else.

What is your favorite quote?
If you don’t know where you are going, how will you know when you will get there?

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
No. I have always been outside of box. I have never been inside it. In fact, I don’t even know what the inside of the box looks like.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
Yes. I think to be an innovator you have to be the first one to do something new, without worrying about success or failure. True innovation takes a willingness to risk it all. I have never been afraid to risk everything in order to win big. If I know what I want to do and it makes sense to me, I believe I will succeed and I take that risk. I have always liked to do things that other people won’t do.

About smarTECHS.net
smarTECHS.net is a Chicago-based IT firm that provides full-service, innovative technology solutions for national and local clients in both the private and public sectors. By building strategic partnerships with global corporations such as Microsoft and Dell, smarTECHS.net offers tailored IT solutions that specifically align with the mission and goals of each client. Recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the country, smarTECHS.net is a privately held company with a strong commitment to community service and development. For more information, please visit www.smartechs.net.

Annette E. Alvarez > www.tostobueno.com

Annette E Alvarez Owner of Tostobueno LLC and Multi-Ethnic Talent & Promotion, Inc.

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
My first reaction was to write about the need for vision and a 100% devotion to that vision but found that that answer was too simplistic, so I hit delete. I asked my friends for their thoughts. They also talked about vision. So I guess vision wins in everyday conversation, but truth be told I don’t think that’s the magic entrepreneurial ingredient. Lots of people with vision are still punching a clock. What am I missing? I turned to Webster. The dictionary. Entrepreneurs “assume the risk of a business.” Hmmmmm . . . we are risk takers. Got it! Fearlessness! To be an entrepreneur you can’t be afraid. That sounds about right!

What did inspire you to start your business?
Need.

How did you finance it?
I own two businesses, with two sets of partners.

A) Multi-Ethnic Talent & Promotion, Inc. manages ethnic actors. As a home business, we were able to keep costs down. Not long after we started in 1992, our first client was hired by MTV as the face of their newly launched MTV Asia network. I remember our first commercial—AT&T; it paid very well. That same actor went on to be one of the first faces of Viagra. Very funny. The Sopranos was good to us. As well as all The Law & Orders. Our actors are now all in Los Angeles, and one just booked a pilot. Let’s hope it gets picked up.

Still, I needed to work for the first five years of our business and I did, as an overnight news editor at WNBC. So if you count, it was 18 hours days.

B) Tostobueno®, LLC designs and distributes high-end, ethnic kitchenware. Our signature product is an eco-friendly, bamboo tostonera. It takes a village to raise a child. In this day and age, it also takes one to get a business going. We
have a wonderful village of family and friends who have surrounded themselves around us, giving of their time and money. So to answer the question we self-financed except for $20,000.

Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?
The immigrant work ethic. Yes, I work 7 days a week and I am on the computer dealing with both coasts until, basically, my head can’t take it anymore. (Read below) But – here is the big BUT, what I do is because my parents gave me the best education that money could buy. I went all the way to the University of Miami School of Law. There I met my Multi-Ethnic partner, Joan C. Silverman. I studied Broadcasting at Miami-Dade Community College, North Campus. Burt Delgado, the BEST TV professor EVER. He is still there. I worked at WNBC; that is were I met my Tostobueno® partner, Don Williams, the station’s reporter/anchor. My parents were factory workers. What I do is fun. Now, let’s not confuse fun with easy. At Multi-Ethnic my job is to convince people “in power positions” that my actors should be given the opportunity to auditioned for a role that in their minds they see a caucasian actor playing. With Tostobueno® my job is to convince people “in power positions” that America is ready for high-end, ethnic kitchenware, specifically our signature product an eco-friendly dual tostones and rellenos tostonera. My parents worked the same amount of time. SEWING! Their fun, the radio-novelas and the dream of one day having their on place.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
You just “do” with great faith that it will all work out. And it usually does.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
Business Challenge:For Multi-Ethnic: keeping afloat after 9/11. For Tostobueno®: educating businesses that Hispanics as well as non-Hispanics will spend money for quality and up-scale ethnic cookware.
Personal Challenge:In 2000, I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. I must tell you, it hasn’t been a fun ride, but with the help of family and friends we were all able to keep it going.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
Change happens, with or without me.

What was your childhood ambition?
To be a teacher.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
When I was younger I read all the business books, etc. However, at the end of my day it's my parents who I admire most - they were my Wharton. And from what I just found out, my mother as a kid loved to work at her dad's "bodega" in Cuba. My father -- when he wasn't at the factory, he was selling jewelry or electronics. I'm a first generation Cuban-American. My parents came to this country in the early 50s, and shortly after I was born in '58, the goal was set: to move from Brooklyn to Miami and open a factory. And they did. Basically, they taught me the value of effort and hardwork.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Honestly, I prefer meetings where there is no food. Coffee, si! Meetings for me are all about going in and getting out. Now, for networking I prefer lunch. And when we want them to try, my partner's Don--aka Chef DonClark-- tostones rellenos-with sweet and savory toppings-- and plantain muffins and well, the best Café Espresso EVER . . . it's home for dinner. Don was awarded a design patent on June 27th 2006 after spending three years perfecting the Tostobueno ® design.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
I don’t know, really. I've modeled my life to accommodate my love of business.

What is your favorite quote?
Luck is the residue of design.

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
I find this to be the question that most resonated in me. I’ve always, always been unconventional, and I guess I still am and probably always will be. I didn’t realize it, until, well, I read this question that being unconventional is a good business trait. I remember being yelled at by my 5th grade teacher for having done something the complete opposite of everyone else in the class. That’s when I realized I was a bit . . . different. And 40 some odd years later, nothing’s changed. The upside—I’m not phased by much and can continue any pursuit without fear. Wow. . . Who would have thought?

Biggest mistake made?
Not buying a Blackberry sooner.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
I can’t answer this question without bringing in ALL my partners. And even then it is not to say we are innovadors but visionaries. Both Multi-Ethnic and Tostobueno® are chipping away at an archaic business model. . . one that doesn’t include the financial power of ethnic America, with Hispanics representing $1 trillion in spending power by 2010, according to Jose Cancela, founder of the marketing and research firm Hispanic USA Inc.

Joan and I started Multi-Ethnic in 1992. It wasn’t until seven years later that what we knew was actually said out loud by the likes of Ricky Martin and then NAACP President Kweisi Mfume. Yes, a very unlikely duo. Ricky’s groundbreaking “Cup of Life” Grammy performance showed EVERYONE that Hispanics were here and, well, HOT and not going anywhere. Mr. Mfume also in 1999 took TV execs to task for what he called the whitewash of TV.

Don, Ainsley C. Williams and I started Tostobueno® a few years ago. . . well, let me leave you with this. Just look at the Food Network. Does it reflect even a little bit the Hispanic population of this country?

Visionaries. Yup . . . that’s what we are.

About the Companies

Multi-Ethnic Talent & Promotion, Inc. manages ethnic actors.

Tostobueno®, LLC designs and distributes high-end ethnic kitchenware. Our signature product is Tostobueno, The Ultimate Tostonera® an eco-friendly, bamboo tostonera that can make up to six toston chips "tostones" or toston cups "tostones rellenos" with one smash.

Contact Annette at http://www.tostobueno.com/

Daniela Rodriguez > www.riverplatefulfillment.com

Daniela Rodriguez Owner

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
Believe in your self,always a positive attitude,discipline, honesty.

What did inspire you to start your business?
My business started by accident, from a necessity when my husband had a very bad car accident and I had to put food on the table for my kids.

How did you finance it?
I finance it with quarters and dimes that were saved in my piggy bank.

Being Hispanic? Does it have any influence on your business?
It's great to be Hispanic, you have the best of both worlds, many times we run in to people in warehouses that do not speak much English, is great to be able to speak the Spanish language in order to do business, also our employees that the majorities are Spanish is the strongest access to the company.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
I always see the glass half full, never half empty, and in life nothing comes easy if you want to be successful, I believe you never have to step back, always forward, and that other than death, there is always a solution for everything if is with in you. Like my good right hand and friendSandra my employee said, it is what it is, and we take a day at a time. I focus on the positive never the negative.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
The fire on October 21, 2007 I saw my 15 yrs of hard work burned down to ashes. All of my dreams had fallen apart, all of my employees without a job. My biggest challenge was how was I am going to get all that back, and was like the whole world colapse on me on that day.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
Nothing, I would not change a thing, if anything I would add more services that would enhance it according to my customers needs.

What was your childhood ambition?
To be a pilot

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
Donald Trump, Fernando Lamp, and Mitzie

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Lunch

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
I had to sacrifice family time, I had to cut on all my personal expenses, meaning not taking a vacation for 10 years, no eating out, sleeping time. I was lucky if I got to sleep 5 hours a day. Not seeing much of my friends. I became a workaholic.

What is your favorite quote?
If there is a will, there is a way. In Spanish (Querer es poder)

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
No it's not

Biggest mistake made?
The biggest mistake I ever made was not having enough insurance. We can never be insured enough, and for that you have to do your homework. Know the value of the merchandise the company is keeping in inventory for customers, know the value of your own machinery, and even when our insurance agent, is letting us know what covers and you seamed to be happy with it, please read it yourself and ask questions. It's too late after the facts. Ask for a second opinion if you are not sure of the policy you have in your hands.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
No, I don't consider myself an innovator, I consider myself a person with a very strong inner strength.

RiverplateFullfilment.com does fulfillment for all types of industries, trucking nation wide, warehousing and distribution.

Dr. Alejandro Badia > www.drbadia.com

Dr. Alejandro Badia, Entrepreneurial Surgeon, Surgeon of the Hand and Upper Extremity Badia Hand to Shoulder Center Chief of Hand Surgery, Baptist Hospital of Miami Co-founder, Da Vinci Learning Center

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
Vision. One must know clearly what the goals are and accept that some significant level of risk is involved in order to achieve them. In the medical field, service is a key component and you must fulfill the three A’s criteria: Be affable, admirable, and accessible.

What did inspire you to start your business?
I had co-founded an extremely successful surgical practice…so successful, that we soon found that we needed more surgeons in order to cover our community needs for our subspecialty to better serve our patients. The problem was that the busier we got, the less time I was able to spend with my patients and the more difficult it was to ensure that each person received the special attention they deserved, particularly the patients who traveled from abroad to see me for a particular hand and upper limb problem. I soon realized that I needed to downsize my practice but improve the service and infrastructure to deliver that care. Badia Hand to Shoulder Center is designed with this at the forefront.

How did you finance it?
I purchased the real estate shell with my local bank, who knew my practice and income potential, and then I financed the build out of the office and therapy center myself. I wanted to minimize my debt burden. I then partnered with a national ambulatory surgery center company who understood the construction and startup needs for a surgical facility better than I could on my own. This created efficiency and an expeditious process.

Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?
Being Hispanic played a major role on WHERE I decided to practice and the type of patient pool I could best serve. While I was solely educated in the US, and obtained an Ivy League degree, I was sure to maintain my Latino roots and cultivate these idiosyncrasies. This allowed me to better bond with patients whose primary language is Spanish, whom often travel to see me from Latin America. Practicing in Miami allowed me to provide US level medical care, with the technology and expertise that entails, while making my international patients feel they were still immersed in their home culture.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
Adversity is a matter of perception. One must know and accept that not everything can go exactly according to plan. It is like performing surgery: the best surgeons know how to work around a sudden alteration in the pathology or anatomy. Managing complications is part of the “art of medicine”.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
Developing a new surgical practice and center requires depending on many different people, particularly bureaucrats and construction subcontracting firms. Keeping everything on track and focused has been a huge challenge.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
As a physician caught up in a complex medical system, I wish that I could deal only with the patient, much like any other business, where there is simply the customer and the provider. I particularly enjoy serving international patients because I do not have to request “authorization” from an insurance company low level employee who usually knows little about the pathology in question; let alone the best treatment options. It is pure medicine.

What was your childhood ambition?
I always wanted to be a physician. Furthermore I was quite convinced that I would become a surgeon and often performed dissections on fish or frogs in front of my 6th grade class, much to the delight of my teacher who shared my enthusiasm for biology. At eight years of age, I accompanied my grandmother to see a famous hand surgeon at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NYC due to her crippling rheumatoid arthritis. That moment stayed with me… In fact, that surgeon trained the surgeon who would later train me in Pittsburgh, decades later.

In middle school, I read the book “The Making of a Surgeon” and later reread it noting that the author was a product of Cornell too…

Lastly, there is a great tradition of physicians in my family in Cuba and I only recently discovered that I was a descendant of the founder of the Cuban Academy of Sciences.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
Craig Venter – founder of Celera Genomics. He took his scientific skills to create a company that would beat the NIH in sequencing the human genome. He illustrates the power of free enterprise over government: even in science.

Bill Gates (of course) – His story is epic, but most importantly, he has taken this money and wisely invested it in solving some of mankind’s issues. While widely criticized for his lack of early giving, he proved that one must also be strategic and patient in making philanthropic decisions.

Mohammed Yunus – The innovator of micro-credit. His type of entrepreneurship has positively affected the lives of millions of people and indirectly helped them lift themselves out of poverty. It is fortunate that this was aptly recognized via a Nobel peace prize.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Dinner only. Late. I work too early for normal breakfasts, and surgeons rarely eat a real lunch!

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
The “sacrifices” are huge, but then again, I do not really consider them sacrifices. I love what I do, but it certainly can intrude on my personal life in many ways. I married late in life and just started building a family. Regardless, I would not have done it any other way…

What is your favorite quote?
A NY surgery professor once told me, “Surgeons don’t work hard; they work a lot. Ditch diggers work hard!”

I often try to think of that when in the operating room, frustrated, in the wee hours of the morning….

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
“Conventional” is a matter of semantics. The truth is that conventional implies one does the same as the vast majority. Since success implies that one differentiates themselves in a positive way from the status quo, you MUST be unconventional to reach new heights. This does not mean mistakes are not made.

Biggest mistake made?
I had an opportunity to join a swim team at an early age, apparently due to some innate talent that was recognized. I did not pursue it and picked up the sport at a much later date when it was likely too late to reach my potential. I often wonder what athletic heights I might have achieved. Watching Pablo Morales, a fellow Cuban-American and Cornelian, win gold medals in the butterfly, also my stroke, rekindled that feeling. My passion for these individual sports led me to personally attend the last 4 Olympic games as an enthusiastic spectator!

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why
I believe I am an innovator as I have managed to combine the pursuit of scientific and clinical excellence, with a desire to educate the public on common maladies in my little known surgical specialty. These goals require two different mindsets. My future goal is for the general public to understand ubiquitous clinical problems within the hand and upper limb, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or shoulder bursitis (impingement syndrome). Educating the public, while furthering our scientific understanding of these issues involves two varied, but equally important, skill sets.

Contact Dr. Alejandro Badia at www.drbadia.com

Mayra Castillo and Xochitl Gonzalez > www.alwaysabridesmaid.us

Mayra Castillo and Xochitl Gonzalez Founders Always A Bridesmaid

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
First, we believe you have to have a strong vision of what you want and secondly, a desire to really do what you want, without fear of failure or too much concern with immediate sacrifice. It's the road less traveled for a reason!

What did inspire you to start your business?
Truthfully, a bad boss! We had jobs that we loved, in function, planning corporate events. But the office climate took the joy out of work. We wanted to create a company where there was room to enjoy the kind of work we do- which is basically to create celebrations for people.

How did you finance it?
Poorly! In the beginning, it was financed with our last commission checks from our day job! It wasn't much. We used credit financing for the first year until we could qualify for bank loans and just tried to be really strategic with our dollars. We spent a ton of time and energy pursuing publicity for the business.

Being Hispanic ...Does it have any influence on your business?
We have an impossibly strong work ethic, which for us, feels cultural.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
We don't want "real" jobs.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
Always financing. Like a lot women-owned businesses, we face problems with financing particularly during stages of growth.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
I think we both wish it wasn't so tied to us, personally. We'd like to create more distance between our personalities and the service we offer.

What was your childhood ambition?
Mayra: I wanted to be an agricultural engineer.

Xochitl: I wanted to be a talk show host.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
Andrea MacDonald. She owns an outdoor media company called MacDonald Media and was a client of ours. She taught us so much about enjoying life and work.
Two more famous names would be Martha Stewart and Coco Chanel.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Dinner meetings. We need to be able to have people relaxed with us.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
Everything. We really spent time away from family, friends and money while we invested our love and time in this business.

What is your favorite quote?
"In order to be Irreplaceable, one must always be different"- Coco Chanel

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
No, that isn't difficult. Either you are or you aren't. I think it's in your nature.

Biggest mistake made?
Undervaluing our services and promising perfection. We now sell expertise and problem solving skills, not fantasy.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
Yes. We've never believed that the success of the wedding is about just the day. It's about the process. We've designed all of our services to enhance the enjoyment of getting married, not just the few hours that the reception is going on.

Always A Bridesmaid was founded in 2003 by Xochitl Gonzalez and Mayra Castillo after these two former corporate event planners were tapped endlessly by friends and friends of friends for event tips and wedding planning help. They have since become one of the city's most sought after planners, and the "Go-To" company for couples planning events in unique or untraditional venues such as lofts, tents, or historic venues.

Contact Mayra and Xochitl at www.alwaysabridesmaid.us

Ana L. Nogales Ph.D. > www.drnogales.com

Ana L. Nogales Ph.D Founder of Nogales Psychological Counseling, Inc and www.casadelafamilia.org

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
You need alot of perseverance and love of life. When everything seems to be impossible, you have to look for the open door and find the formula so that you can overcome and pursue your goal.

What did inspire you to start your business?
My father: He would always say the the intelligent persons were the ones who used their heads, and you could accomplish so much more when you labored less and thought more.

How did you finance it?
No one financed my dream/ambition, I worked hard and grew my practice a little at a time.

Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?
I don't think I would have been able to grow and love my job if it wasn't for the fact that I am Latina and have always worked with the Latino community.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
After, my stomach goes into knots, I use that same energy to think how am I going to keep looking ahead. It has cost me many sleepless nights, but I try and get to sleep, as I know that I think better when I am well rested. Many times I try to leave the City and to find an escape and get close to nature. Upon my return I see things differently and I can focus on my own thoughts more clearly. To have a great support staff is fundamental, because I know who I can count on, who is loyal , and who thinks with me. I ask for opinions from those that I trust, but I take my time to evaluate and consider them to decipher what is the best one to take to fruition.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
Those that are envious, as they can be very destructive, but sometimes they present themselves with a smiling face.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
I have many things to change. Looking back, I wish I would have had personal financial planner to guide me on how to make investments.

What was your childhood ambition?
I wanted to help people, and this is what I do within my possibilities.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
I admire my brother, who knows how to do things at the right moment, he calculates conservatively, but efficiently.

My daughter and her husband, although young, have programmed their lives in a financially responsible manner.

I also admire Nora de los Hoyos Comstock, who is the founder of Las Comadres de las Americas, whose vision was to connect Latinas via the Internet. Her vision has connected over 12,000 Latinas from all over the United States.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
For me breakfast is the best time, that's when I have the best energy. Breakfast is the begining of the day and so people will think throughout the day. Dinner is a more intimate scene, and sometimes by the end of the day your so exhausted, you might not be receptive to any proposal.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
The most difficult thing for me was trying to maintain a balance between my work and my dedication to my family. It was a personal sacrifice, trying to to keep tabs on every detail, but I always kept my priorities in check. I have never received any complaints my family, on the contrary, only praise for my efforts.

What is your favorite quote?
I want to live a full life every single day, so if it were to be my last, I would leave having the satisfaction that I accomplished everything that I had to do in this life.

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
It is very difficult to be non conventional. My Mother always told me that I was rebellious, although looking back, I really wasn't. It cost me constant criticism for trying to be me and living my life the way I wanted to. Now, more mature, it was not difficult to find others who were unconventional and share thoughts. Today, I still look for others who think out of the box and although a minority, it's always such a pleasure to find them. Of course, I get along with conventional people as well, as I have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

Biggest mistake made?
My most serious mistake: using credit cards..........and I'm still making this mistake...........

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
I get enthusiastic and excited with things that I have never done before and I do it with so much passion, that I surprize myself. For example, I never thought I could write books on contemporary topics, and even less to to write a play, as I did recently....................and I continue to write both!