By Amber Dyer, Coordinator, Communications & Marketing
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month in October, the Women’s Business Council – Southwest (WBCS), in partnership with Career Management Partners (CMP), hosted a Women of Color Business mixer at the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC). This event brought together women leaders to discuss the power of connection and how culture impacts Hispanic women-owned businesses in the U.S. Below are some of the main takeaways from the discussion.
Hispanic culture cultivates a unique approach to business
Family is ingrained in the Hispanic culture, and it shapes many Latino’s business practices.
“It influences day-to-day behaviors, not only in your personal life,” said Maryanne Piña, CEO of CMP. In many Hispanic-owned businesses, your team is your family.
“Family values are integral to our business philosophy as well,” stated Betty Manetta, CEO of Argent Associates, a supply chain and systems integration firm. “Similar to my own family, we dedicate time and resources to foster an entrepreneurial mindset within our team as they perform their responsibilities. We recognize their individuality and appreciate the unique contributions each member brings to Argent.”
This family-oriented approach to business fosters strong relationships and trust among colleagues and clients, leading to a collaborative environment where teamwork is valued.
This is complemented by a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, as many individuals are motivated to start their own businesses, often inspired by family traditions and community needs.
“Our culture is about creating opportunities,” said Nancy Galvan, Owner of Unica Enterprises. Galvan shared that spending summers in Mexico while growing up exposed her to entrepreneurism from the time she was young. “I feel like that’s really what propelled me to make the decision to start a business.”
Networking is a powerful tool for business growth
In the U.S., Hispanic women-owned businesses are a significant economic force, with 2 million enterprises contributing to the economy. These businesses generate $175.2 billion in revenue annually and employ 900,000 people. It is crucial these businesses support one another for the growth and empowerment of all, especially the Hispanic community.
“It all starts with who you know,” said Galvan. “Not only that, it’s the introductions that are made, the rooms that you’re included and invited into. And ultimately, it’s also the inspiration that we get from each other, which is really something that I think is a plus to networking, because you never know what you’ll learn or what will inspire you, what is said that’ll be the next idea, or the next thing that will propel you to another level.”
To learn more about the Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement work the DRC is doing, visit our website.