LATINA Style Magazine, the premier magazine addressing the needs of the Latina professional and business owner, is proud to present the LATINA Style Business Series. This interactive business development program brings together Latina business owners with key corporations and government agencies that provide the goods and services needed by these outstanding entrepreneurs to create or expand their business. Over 10,000 Latina entrepreneurs have participated in the Business Series since it’s inception in 1998 with the guidance of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Target Audience: Participants are Latina business owners seeking to grow their business and Latina professionals interested in starting a business. Each event typically attracts 200 – 300 attendees.

Demographics: Hispanic-owned business is the fastest growing segment of the business community. Between 1987 and 1992, these businesses grew at a rate of more than 76 percent, compared with a 26 percent growth rate for all firms. The total revenue for Hispanic-owned businesses increased by 134 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, workingwomen Latinas are the fastest growing small business in the U.S. with a phenomenal growth rate of 114 percent over the last five years. Latinas control 39 percent of the 1.4 million companies owned by women of color in the United States, which generate nearly $147 billion in sales, according to the Center for Business Women’s Research. More than one-third (34.9 percent) of all Hispanic businesses are owned by women.

The Program: The program emphasis is in creating a solid business foundation for the Latina entrepreneur. Corporate sponsors will sponsor an expert panelist or will provide a representative to speak about a specific category of expertise. The program covers a wide-range of topics including: access to capital, strategic sales and marketing strategies, professional services, technology and communications and corporate and federal procurement opportunities.

The seminar is a one-day event that includes an exhibit area with a high networking breakfast, interactive panel sessions and speakers, a Latina entrepreneur award luncheon with a dynamic keynote speaker and closing with a sponsors raffle and dessert reception.