Hispanic Entrepreneur

Leslie Class > www.lccareers.org

2012-01-20T13:11:00.001-05:00

Leslie Class, Founder, Learning Curve Career Center (LCC)

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

First, you must have an idea with the patience see it develop and dedication to make it grow. Then, you must have the absolute determination and mindset not to fail. Lastly, you need the vision to see every obstacle as a learning brick for you to build on.

What did inspire you to start your business?

I took vocational training and became a Medical Assistant in 1994. For almost 20 years, I have been building my career as a healthcare professional. In 2004, I became an instructor in the field. Through teaching, I instantly developed a passion for helping others. The fulfillment that I gain by sharing my skills and experiences with my students is inexplicable. However, at that time, I was working for a (national) corporation that regularly markets these types of programs within lower income communities at an extremely inflated price. I witnessed many students deal with loan default and additional financial issues. I became unhappy with the recruitment practices of the institution and I was prompted to open Learning Curve Careers (LCC). I help others begin a career in the same way I did, despite any adversity. I teach students marketable work skills minus the exaggerated cost for the education so they can find meaningful employment.

How did you finance it?

I chose to work two jobs to help finance my dream initially. I currently own and operate a small paramedical company. Class1Paramedical allows me the time and flexibility I need to continue to develop my second business, Learning Curve Careers. I keep expenses down for LCC by forming partnerships with existing organizations.

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

In the New York metropolitan area, this type of career training tends to attract a lot of students, many of which are Hispanic. All potential students are seeking employment training that prepares them rapidly for work. Typical students tend to be female, single parents, underemployed or newly unemployed. The ethnic and racial diversity of the students is similar to that of the surrounding communities. They often have additional socio-economic problems. Many students have jobs, children, and childcare issues, transportation problems, debt and credit issues, and/or lack of self-confidence. I am a Puerto Rican female born and raised in here in New York. I have experienced teenage pregnancy, single motherhood, unemployment, and a lot of economic and personal struggle. I was a victim of domestic abuse, and I am a mother to a child with cerebral palsy. I can relate to my consumers. I believe my experiences and adversities have given me the strength to work for progress, to continue to aspire for more, and the struggles help give me the insight that I need to provide a better product to people that I serve.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

I am blessed with a very strong sense of self. I believe in my work, I am proud of what I have accomplished, and I know I am capable of even more, so I continue moving forward and growing. I believe in myself.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

Financing is always a huge concern, but I continue to be innovative in my planning, and things are slowly working themselves out, just as they always do.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

I want what everyone wants for his or her business; I want to see faster growth. I want to reach more people.

What was your childhood ambition?

I always wanted to run my own business, to be my own boss.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

I truly admire people who have the determination to build, develop and ultimately realize their dreams. Those are the type of people that effect change in the world. First and foremost, I have always admired my father, Reinaldo Class. He was a successful Latino businessman in the field of electrical contracting. Nancy G. Brinker – is the founder of Susan B. Kolman Foundation, who began this foundation in her living room. Sean Carter, or “Jay Z” is an artist and self-made businessman. He has successfully ¬built his business into an empire.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

I think all time frames work for meetings, however meeting topics, and potential attendees should determine what time of day might be most appropriate.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

I have sacrificed spending money and my personal time. I only purchase what is really necessary and I work a lot so I don’t feel that I have enough time to spend with my family.

What is your favorite quote?

Here is only one of many: “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” - Harriet Tubman

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

No. It’s the way I’ve always been.

Biggest mistake made?

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Therefore, I don’t believe in mistakes, only lessons, it’s all how you choose to look.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

I do consider myself an innovator because I choose not to sway in my determination. When I face a challenge, it causes me to be more innovative in my thinking so that I can accomplish whatever it is that I want to do. I like to figure out a problem my own way.

About the company

Learning Curve Career Center (LCC) offers training programs focused in allied healthcare. They are specifically designed towards helping economically challenged members of our communities, those seeking additional job skills, and students aspiring to begin careers in the healthcare field. The training is affordable and prepares students rapidly for certification and employment as a healthcare professional.

The programs empower people and prompt self-sufficiency through job training and placement assistance. We have a variety of classes that focus on the specific skill sets necessary to succeed in a number of different careers. We hope to improve the level of professionalism throughout our neighborhoods and also to expand the available opportunities for residents.

www.lccareers.org

www.facebook.com/learningcurve.careers
www.twitter.com/#!/LCCAREERS

Diego Saez-Gil > www.inBed.me

2012-01-03T04:15:00.001-05:00

Diego Saez Gil, Co-Founder & CEO, inBed.me

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

You need irrational optimism, the ability to create a vision and convince others to jump on-board with you in the journey (partners, employees, investors, customers, etc.), and most important you need a strong passion about what you want to create.

What did inspire you to start your business?

Seeing how some people had transformed our world for the better by enlisting talented teams and executing ideas that seemed crazy at the beginning, always inspired me. I always dreamt with doing something with positive impact in the world. At some point I realized that starting a business may be a way to do it.

How did you finance it?

Initially I financed it with my savings and my credit card, when I ran out of money I started working in the side to keep going. At some point we raised investment, not only for the money but also for the contribution that the investors could bring to the business with their experience and connections.

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

I think it does in a positive way. Being from Latin America makes me more flexible and creative, maybe because of the uncertainty that we are used to in our countries). Plus we are naturally really passionate about everything we do, which as I said I consider essential to be an entrepreneur.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

I believe that adversity is part of every journey to achieving meaningful things. Therefore, when the adversities arrive I realize that they are just part of the journey, and that I need to keep going to realize my dreams.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

The biggest challenge was to keep going when you get rejected several times in a row by investors or partners. There is a big dilema between accepting outside feedback and sticking to your own vision, between pivoting or persevering. We persevered in the main assumptions but pivoted in the strategy and model to grow and keep going.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

I would like to do more, faster. But sometimes things take time, and one have to be patient.

What was your childhood ambition?

My childhood ambition it was to travel the world. That's why I started travel-related businesses. :)

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

I admire Steve Jobs for the passion he put on everything he did. I admire Richard Branson for the craziness he brought to the business world. I admire Alec Oxenford (that I'm fortunate enough to have him as a mentor) for thinking big from Latin America and building global companies like OLX and others.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

I like breakfasts, but everything work for me, as long as you do good business. :)

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

The first years of building a business requires a lot of hard work, focus and travel. Because of that I don't spend all the time I would like to with my loved ones, nor I can spend time doing things I love like playing music, helping others, or traveling for fun. I hope that at some point the business will be more estable and I'll be able to have a more balanced lifestyle.

What is your favorite quote?

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart".

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

I love to be unconventional. For example, I happen to have an accent wherever I go (even in Argentina, because I am from the north) which makes me unconventional, and I find out that it has a positive impact in new people I meet. :)

Biggest mistake made?

I made a lot of mistakes in business, I could do a long list!, but they have been an amazing source of learning, that I am capitalizing now.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

I am proactively trying to think different and do things in new ways, not only on the design of the products we ship but also they way we work together with the team. Therefore I do consider myself an innovator.

About the company

inBed.me is a social booking platform for social travelers. I allows users to connect with peers going to the same destinations while they are booking a hostel or bed & breakfast to stay. Users can see who else will be staying at each place and find out travelers with similar interest, allowing them to connect to share tips or even plan activities together. Our company wants to make the process of booking online more fun and social.

Priscilla Stephan > www.sweetpathwellness.com

2011-12-28T20:38:00.003-05:00

Priscilla Stephan, Owner, Sweet Path Wellness

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

A powerful vision, a strong support group, some start-up capital and a great business coach.

What did inspire you to start your business?

The desire to help others live healthier, happier lives, the freedom to design a lifestyle that gives me joy and enables me to spend time with family, to travel and to also take care of myself.

How did you finance it?

My savings. Fortunately starting a health coaching business isn’t as capital intensive as many other businesses.

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

Absolutely. I think that the Hispanic community is still very underserved when it comes to health and wellness and I’m passionate about showing them that being healthy isn’t as hard or as complicated as it may seem. My motto is: small changes = big results.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

I have a strong vision which is to inspire and empower thousands of people worldwide to live healthier lives in a body they love. I can’t stop while knowing that there are many people I can touch, support and guide to wellness.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

In the beginning it is always about creating a steady stream of clients. However, I truly enjoy building long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationships and know that with time they will lead to increased revenue.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

I’d want my reach to be larger so I could be helping even more people.

What was your childhood ambition?

To become a concert pianist. As an adult, it was a big “aha” moment when I realized I needed to incorporate more creativity into my life to keep me happy and inspired.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

Steve Jobs because he was unconventional and a trailblazer; Tony Robbins because he was a pioneer in the coaching field and Oprah because she empowers women to live their best life.

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?

Work long hours. I’ve also done a lot of personal development work to get to where I am now and I’ve loved every minute of it.

What is your favorite quote?

“If you don’t create change, change will create you”. – Anonymous

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

No. It’s the most fun and genuine way to be. Difficult is trying to be something other than who you really are to please others. Be true to you, believe in yourself and never give up.

Biggest mistake made?

Starting my first business without capital or know-how of business and the fashion industry. While it cost me dearly, I learned so much about my personality and what not to do the second time around that it is a blessing to me now.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

I like to expand the vision of what’s possible for myself and others so in that sense I believe I’m a non-conformist. Also, I think that the concept of holistic health is still new to many people and it allows room to be creative.

About the Company

Sweet Path Wellness (www.sweetpathwellness.com) supports dynamic corporate executives and women entrepreneurs who want to lead overall healthier and more balanced lives. We coach women through 1-on-1 and corporate wellness programs on how to eat for energy, have more work/life balance, lose weight and design their “sweet life”. What makes my company unique is our holistic and comprehensive approach to wellness. This means that we not only look at nutrition but also support our clients to make positive lifestyle changes. I am also a speaker and guest writer for online and print publications.

Alex Torrenegra > www.voice123.com, www.bookingmarkets.com, www.inbed.me (and more!)

2011-12-27T07:35:00.003-05:00

Alexander Torrenegra, Co-founder, voice123.com, bookingmarkets.com, inbed.me, voicebunny.com, localo.com, torrenegralabs.com, bogodev.org, etc.

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

Passion for something. That passion is going to allow you to constantly think about it and work hard a it. You can be an entrepreneur, as long as you follow your passion.

What did inspire you to start your business?

I've co-founded 12 companies. Each one has a unique story. My first venture was on the education industry. I was nine years old. I decided to make some extra money by doing the homework of my classmates. I decided to auction off three assignments per day. Since then, I've been passionate about auctions and marketplaces.

How did you finance it?

Most of my startups have been bootstrapped. That means that we have most our successful companies to profitability by investing our own savings. inBedme is my first startup receiving venture capital.

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

It had, but not any longer. One of our most successful startups, Voice123.com, pissed many people off. We had recently migrated to the US. We thought that we were doing something wrong. We later realized that we were not wrong. We were simply disrupting a marketplace. Innovation equals disruption. Disruption equals pissing people off, while making others very happy.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

I spread my bets. I've been always involved in at least two startups at any given time.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

Some of our previous startups have failed. Realizing when it's time to shut down a venture is a very difficult decision. Delaying the decision, only makes it worst.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

I'd like to have some more time to travel.

What was your childhood ambition?

I wanted to work from home, doing something related to computers, and own a nice convertible. I was very lucky, as I accomplished my dream by the time I was 22. I realized that my childhood ambitions were not as ambitious as they could have been!

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

Jeff Bezos, for his long term bets and perspectives.

Leonardo da Vinci, for being a successful polymath.

Jimmy Wales, for changing the world with Wikipedia.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Definitely dinner.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

None. It's never felt as if I had to sacrifice something.

What is your favorite quote?

"If you're not making mistakes, you're not taking [enough] risks" John W. Holt

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

No. It's difficult to be conventional! Sometimes I feel that I behave as a kid, when people expect me to be more adult-like.

Biggest mistake made?

Casting123.com, a startup that allowed actors to submit casting videos online. It was founded in 2005. That was too early for the market. Back then computers didn't even have webcams by default! We had to shut down the service six months after it was launched.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

Albert Einstein once said "The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources." As a consequence, I consider myself quite creative!

About the companies

The most important startups I've co-founded are:

Voice123.com - Find Voice Talents. Quick. Affordable. Professional.

BookingMarkets.com - Launch your marketplace of hotels hostels, b&bs, or vacation rentals.

inBed.me - The First Social Booking site for Hostels, Beds and Couches.

VoiceBunny.com - The API to get professional voices in minutes.

TorrenegraLabs.com - We disrupt industriesby experimentingwith online marketplaces

Emiliano Konoba > www.abunda.com.ar

2011-12-23T08:18:00.001-05:00

Emiliano Konoba, Co-Founder, Abunda

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

A dream, an idea and the necessary determination to connect both with each other.

What did inspire you to start your business?

The need to create a space where we can apply our knowledge and experience with a different perspective

How did you finance it?

With own capital (savings).

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

Yes, for sure. Although it's difficult to have a clear measure of how my cultural influences are manifested in every decision I make.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

Adversity is a natural part of the process. It’s to be expected. So I don’t see it as something negative but as a natural feature of the venture. It’s important to know, to not get frustrated with any problems. The good thing is that out of adversity comes always a creative response.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

To put it into existence. Out of just an idea, today it is something concrete, with identity and form.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Nothing. The business is always changing, whether you want it or not. There are always decisions made that involve change. This is always healthy for the project and it is an indicator that it is evolving.

What was your childhood ambition?

The same as the one I have today: to do something that I like and to be able to live off it.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Viljo and Armi Ratia (Marimekko), Jimmy Wales (Wikipedia)

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Personally I prefer the lunch hour, but I think it's best to be flexible.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

The business is part of our personal life and we have invested much time in it, of course. Every entrepreneur devotes a lot of overtime to their projects. Perhaps this can be misunderstood as a sacrifice, but I think it is a bigger sacrifice not to devote time and effort to what really gives you satisfaction and desire to continue planning new things.

What is your favorite quote?

"Do what you love, love what you do."

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

Sometimes yes, mostly because as children we are taught to be conventional.

But, beyond the fact that we have developed a particular point of view throughout the years, the challenge is not so much to be unconventional, but to be balanced. Strength lies within the balance.

Biggest mistake made?

Nothing too serious, maybe the initial planning time was slightly longer than desired.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

In some way, yes. Because we believe that a serious company must make a commitment to constantly improve their products and processes, and to continuously innovate. It is vital to manage this innovative spirit as a long-term strategy.

About the Company

Abunda is an independent project born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Its main objective is to create objects that bring quality design to everyday life, from a different, modern and honest perspective.

The starting point lies in graphic-textile design: exclusive collections with original prints, designed to give personality and style to the spaces.

Although this is just the beginning: we are currently designing new and diverse products.

Adylia Rhenee Gutierrez > www.Yhorlife.com

2011-12-18T22:59:00.000-05:00

Adylia Rhenee Gutierrez, President, Owner & Founder, Yhorlife.com

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

To be an entrepreneur I think a person needs to be focused, driven, open, socially conscious, and wise enough to know that the world, like business, is constantly changing so you never stop learning or act like you know everything.

What inspired you to start your business?

The world inspired me to start my business. What I mean is that everywhere you turn there is a natural disaster, economic meltdown, unemployment increasing, etc. Fame- hungry people are still making money but are so self-absorbed they are so into themselves and not bettering themselves or the world. I think all this turmoil we hear or read about everyday in the world is the world's way of saying that people need to get back to having morals, values, and helping one another or the world will continue to appear like it is spiraling out of control.

How did you finance it?

I used my family for investors.

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

Yes, I am proud to be a Latina. My business is donating 10% to the children and craftsmen of Grenada, Nicaragua. I'm not Nicaraguan but I think talented craftsmen in Latin America are overlooked as well as the children who want to go to school. I think that's the beauty of being a Latina. Hispanics are everywhere so I hope my business inspires all Hispanics to dream and shows them impossible is nothing.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

Adversity is never easy even though you know it is an unfortunate part of life. I'm grateful for my family because they are my biggest supporters. I have always been incredibly stubborn so I take any adversity as a challenge and fuel to work harder to prove everyone wrong.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

The biggest challenge my business has faced is me. People love the idea but I have found that when they meet me they are shocked. I do not know what they expect but me being young, female, and a Latina I would say sometimes catches people off guard and even causes them to be pessimistic about the business.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

If I could change one thing about my business maybe more money that I could legally donate.

What was your childhood ambition?

I was a dreamer and never believed in limitations so I wanted to be a ballerina, lawyer, and veterinarian.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

Alejandro Santo Domingo, Jay-z, and Gisele Bundchen

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Breakfast, I am a morning person so I love starting my day being productive.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

To be honest I do not feel I have made any sacrifices. There are times I wish I could have gone to the movies or dinner with some friends but I am so driven I just wanted my business to be successful. My friends are great and proud of me so they understand and are supportive.

What is your favorite quote?

The secret of success is to know something nobody else knows. - Aristotle Onassis

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

I have always been in my own world so I do not know the difference. I do what makes me happy.

Biggest mistake made?

I do not call them mistakes, I call them learning opportunities. My biggest learning opportunity came from learning that you cannot trust everyone even though you regard them as a friend.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

Yes and no. Yes because I was able to see a need and figured out a way to fill the void. No because I was just observant enough to realize the need; I did not re-invent the wheel.

About the company

Yhorlife.com is an online community that celebrates hard work, shared values, and offers sound advice for those searching for a higher standard. Yhorlife members get access to articles, interviews, and discussions designed to solve problems and build relationships. Industry experts and men and women of all ages provide a variety of perspectives on life, relationships, careers, education, entrepreneurship, parenting and more.

Jacqueline Rivera > www.pawfectday.com

2011-12-04T15:34:00.000-05:00

Jacqueline Rivera, Owner, PawfectDay

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

Self discipline. The ability to work in an unstable environment and have the flexibilty to change in order to consistently improve.

What inspired you to start your business?

The disappointment of working long hours for a someone else and not being appreciated.

How did you finance it?

Here’s the tough part. I combined my savings, IRA’s and a home equity. It was a risk I truly believed in.

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

Most of my clients are not Hispanic. However, I do feel like I have to work harder to earn credibility because I am a young female with an accent. I think the 1st impression most people get when they meet me is that they can get over on me.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

Honestly, there were times were I contemplated letting it all go. During the most stressful moments, I’d fantasize about working for someone else again. There are times when you doubt yourself. Am I going to make it? But then there are fantastic days that remind you of why you started this to begin with. Those are the days that keep me focused.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

The biggest challenge has been hiring. The ability to trust that someone else will love this job as much as I do. In my field, we deal with live animals. We are liable for their safety. I run thorough criminal background checks, reference checks and have my Pet Caregivers become Pet First Aid certified.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

The ability to clock out. I hope to be able to shut off my phone, laptop for a week andhave my business run without me having to check-in one day. Right now, we’re still young and growing so checking in is a necessity.

What was your childhood ambition?

I wanted to be a singer/poet/entrepreneur in elementary school and an artist/fashion designer/photographer in junior high school. I joined the choir in the 3rd grade, had a drawing showcased at an art gallery and turned my mother’s entertainment stand into a store. Painted and called it the Gift Shop. Soon it progressed into a pop-up shop during my lunch hour where I sold stickers, chokers, posters, perfumes and mixed tapes.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

Oprah Winfrey, having a rough childhood and against all odds becoming a household name we all know. Cesar Millan, talk about coming here with nothing and making yourself something to talk about! Diane Heavin, another female who has used their success to give back to the community.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Because midday is the peak time for dog walks. Dinner.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

Family, friends, love life and vacation. Friendships grew distant and my engagement fell apart. My family only saw me on special occasions and holidays during the 1st couple of years. I only recently took vacation for the 1st time in four years.

What is your favorite quote?

When one door closes, another one opens.

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

If you consider talking to dogs and selling doggie tee shirts unconventional, then no.

Biggest mistake made?

Not trusting my gut. You know how you meet someone for the first time, and although they look good on paper, there’s just something that doesn’t feel right? Guess what? That’s because something isn’t right!

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

No. Simply someone who is taking something and working on how to make it even better.

About the company

Bonded & insured, Pawfect Day tailors to you & your pet’s needs with high quality attention to detail. As pet owners ourselves, we know the importance of finding a trusted Pet Caregiver. We believe that dogs are more than just pets & should be treated accordingly. When initiating services with Pawfect Day, you become part of our family. You can rest assured that your baby will be cared for by a professional animal lover.

Sylvia Meléndez Klinger > www.hispanicfoodcommunications.com

2011-11-14T09:17:00.000-05:00

Sylvia Meléndez Klinger, Owner & Founder, Hispanic Food Communications

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

Absolutely! With 50.5 millions Hispanics in the US; being Hispanic brings a huge advantage.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

I think about all the people who need to learn about good nutrition and health and that keeps me going strong no matter what.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced?

Balancing work and family. As a Latina mom and wife, it is hard to juggle the love for my work and the love for my family. So far is going pretty good!

If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

I would off taken more classes in college, specially more courses in international business and communications.

What was your childhood ambition?

I wanted to learn English and be a professional gymnast until I found nutrition.

Tell us about three people that you admire.

Mother Theresa, Oprah Winfrey and my mom.

For meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Lunch.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

Stayed up too late many nights finishing projects.

What is your favorite quote?

Never, never, never give up. Winston Churchill.

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

Not at all as long as you do what you love to do.

Biggest mistake made?

I can't think of one, but I wish I spoke more languages. I have always taken all the opportunities that have come my way; let's say I am a risk taker.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

Yes, I am very creative and I am ALWAYS brainstorming for new ideas and ways to do things simpler and better

About Hispanic Food Communications

Hispanic Food Communications is a nutrition and culinary consulting business; specializing in bringing nutrition messages to the Hispanic community.

María Eugenia Márquez > www.chee-argentina.com.ar

2011-11-10T17:47:00.001-05:00

María Eugenia Márquez, Owner & Founder, Chee-Argentina

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

First of all, huge love for life. Then, a combination of courage to make decisions, firmness to know your target and overcome difficulties, and the core item: PASSION everywhere.

What did inspire you to start your business?

The huge love for my country and knowing it deeply. I traveled since I was very young throughout the vast Argentine land and was able to appreciate its rich and diversified culture. I understood that it is a nation with notorious contributions to the world and with highly distinctive characteristics that make it a quite controversial region. That tempted me to reveal the authentic Argentine culture. Also, I was inspired by the desire to be the exclusive owner of my future.

How did you finance it?

With my own funds, and then I needed financial assistance. And I was lucid enough to postulate to the BAE 2011 program and be awarded with a grant.

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

Absolutely, because of the kind of service my company offers. We offer cultural activities, and my biggest drive is to spread our culture through our Latin zeal to get together as a family.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

I just think it will neither be the first nor the last adverse situation to face, that what matters is learning to go on. Each adverse situation I overcome is a step closer to success. We can learn from every mistake.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

Accurately communicating our proposal to a demanding and sophisticated market. Choosing a creative and innovative team to implement the idea.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

I wouldn’t change anything at all. I would only try to avoid the love for my company from becoming my only life style

What was your childhood ambition?

To excel myself day by day and stand out for living according to my desires.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

Henry Ford

Thomas Edison

La Madre Teresa de Calcuta

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Coffee is just enough.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

Using all my financial resources, setting certain pleasures aside

What is your favorite quote?

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

For me, it is difficult to be conventional.

Biggest mistake made?

Wasting time being around people not suitable for my company. Time is money

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

I think of myself as an innovator because I always try to transform things.

About Chee-Argentina

Chee Argentina organizes events enabling close contact with the Argentine culture. It aims at everyone interested in participating, actively, in events related to local culture.

The company purpose is to provide access to a deep knowledge of Argentine culture, as well as the possibility to experience Argentine customs and understand the national identity.

Inbound and cultural event tour operator satisfying the need to disclose the true native culture.

Marcos Martin > www.gleepa.com

2011-10-28T16:29:00.002-04:00

Marcos Martin, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Gleepa

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

Courage, ideas, time, and above all, doggedness. Being persistent is essential and, at the same time, a guarantee for success.

What did inspire you to start your business?

Knowing it was possible. Seeing in close experiences that it was the right time and feeling that something interesting and valuable could be created.

How did you finance it?

Through self-financing with loans and capital of our own.

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

The motivation of carrying it out would exist regardless of the language or the place where we are. But yes, there are influences due to the kind of market where we work. The latest developments cannot always be applied immediately because of the asynchronicity of technological development among different regions. But this is not necessarily bad, at Gleepa, we take it as an opportunity to consciously evaluate if a new service is valuable or not for our customers.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

See the fourth ingredient of the formula to be an entrepreneur: “doggedness”.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

Selling technological services to companies that do not usually invest in technology. At Gleepa, from the beginning, we focused our business on SMEs that were not taking the opportunities of the digital world or that did not count with the qualified staff for those areas.

It was a great challenge to communicate our services effectively to a public that was completely uninformed about the subject, but we did it and today, many of those companies became our main customers.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Definitely, the balance of time devoted to work and my family. Really, I would not change anything about the business, but I would change my obsession for carrying it out even when I am sleeping.

I believe it is a common problem for entrepreneurs, you do not want to leave anything for tomorrow but you do not want it to affect your personal life. But this happens to anyone who loves what he or she does, and when the project is yours and you believe in it, your enthusiasm can distract you from other aspects of life. I would change that a little.

What was your childhood ambition?

Getting to know the world.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

Steve Jobs, because he was an innovator and Jimmy Wales, simply because I think Wikipedia is an amazing project. But what I always feel curious about and sometimes admire are small projects that appear all the time from young people who carry out their ideas without having the funds or counting with big structures.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Breakfast, but not too early.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

Taking time away from my family.

What is your favorite quote?

“My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.” (Charles F. Kettering)

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

No, what is difficult is to make something unconventional become conventional. To make the exception become the rule.

Biggest mistake made?

In business? Not to trust my intuition. In life….too.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

I like to define myself as creative and persistent. I am not afraid of failure.

There are not many real innovators. The rest follow them and make our best effort to develop their creations.

About the company

Gleepa is a digital agency that specializes in design, development, research and marketing.

We adapt technologies and disciplines that internet offers to the goals of companies, organizations and small entrepreneurships.

From the creation itself of your online identity to the analysis and optimization of your business results, Gleepa takes the best of the web to your business and the best of your business to the web.
For more information: www.gleepa.com

Marcelo Sales > www.21212.com

2011-10-11T18:58:00.000-04:00

Marcelo Sales, CEO & Founding Partner, 21212

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

Desire to do something and courage to do it!

What did inspire you to start your business?

My desire to prove that it is possible to create innovative businesses in Brazil based on transparency, honesty and shared knowledge.

How did you finance it?

With little saves and sweat equity to my partners.

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

No, it doesn't. Digital entrepreneurs are global.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

I always remember that adversity is part of the game and that will be not the first or the last that I will see it in my life. The good part is that we become stronger after facing it.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

To find the best team and entrepreneur’s to work with.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Our current business is brand new and we are still running its first cycle. But we love to learn and we're not afraid of changing our business.

What was your childhood ambition?

To change the World.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire.

Steve Jobs

Larry Page

Jeff Bezos

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

All of them.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

Not go to the beach very often while living in a city like Rio de Janeiro.

What is your favorite quote?

“Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” - Thomas Edison

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

No, it's not... if you don't spend all your time trying to be like others.

Biggest mistake made?

Work in projects I didn’t believe.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

Yes, because I like to think and implement solutions to problems people don’t even know that exist.

About the company

21212.com is a group of entrepreneurs and developers who are passionate about capitalizing on the huge and growing opportunities in the Brazilian digital market. We have a very strong team in place and a unique formula for success built around successful entrepreneurs, a strong technology team and experienced mentors both in Brazil and the US. Based in its Rio de Janeiro office, 21212 runs a 4-6 month Acceleration Program with up to 10 digital startups.

Check more information about our operation in http://21212.com

Lorena Amarante > www.omlatam.com

2011-09-22T08:05:00.001-04:00

Lorena Amarante, Co-Founder, OM Latam

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

You need a combination of work, decision, commitment, endurance, passion, strategy, vision and innovation.

What did inspire you to start your business?

To do something that didn’t exists in the region. There were few events for professionals that generated a weak networking and were not able to create real synergy. What inspired us was to solve a problem: it wasn’t easy to hire qualified employees for our companies, while, in the other hand it was plenty of enthusiastic people eager to learn. The missing part was the link that could connect these two sides.

How did you finance it?

We finance through personal funds and through our members. It also requires plenty of time and dedication.

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

Probably yes. I think the key is our need to socialize and to find a common Latin American professional ground to share our professional experiences.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

Adverse situations make me stronger. I’m the kind of person that can get the most out of them, in a positive way. I learn the lesson and go on with new fresh air.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

It was to take the decision to turn a hobby into a profitable business.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

I don’t think I would change something. But I would like to consolidate the company as the #1 Latin American marketplace in regards of digital marketing, and to reach more Spanish-speaking professionals.

What was your childhood ambition?

I wanted to stand out; to be better and to transcend myself in every aspect.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

Steve Jobs (Apple).

Arianna Huffington (Huffington Post).

Marcos Galperin (Mercadolibre).

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

I definitively prefer lunch.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

I sacrificed personal spaces and time with my family.

What is your favorite quote?

Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

Calvin Coolidge, 30th president of US (1872 - 1933)

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

The real question is: What is ‘conventional’? Is easy to be what you truly are, to assume yourself in that way and to develop from that on. Conventional or unconventional, what matters is to know ourselves, our boundaries, our strengths and to build something with all that. The only thing that’s difficult is wishing to be something different than what we are.

Biggest mistake made?

Being afraid of success. I’ve always been frightened not by failure but by success. I was afraid of not having a balance between my personal life and my career. That kept me paralyzed for quite a few years.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

Yes, basically because creating is a crucial part of every aspect of my life. I enjoy discovering, exploring and testing things, and always having in mind new possibilities. I feel motivated by innovation and, on the contrary, copy makes me bored.

About the company

In 2008, we founded a Professional Community –Online Marketing Latam- in order to facilitate interaction through the use of 2.0 technologies. At that time, we detected the need for relationships and access to relevant information about the industry, in addition to the networking events. So, we created a space for networking and exchange, and we became an industry benchmark for the region.

In 2011, we created OM Latam to help people develop their careers or businesses with digital marketing. Through Om Latam Academy we offer different training options on demand, with traditional attending learning and specially developed for companies. We’ve developed an Executive Program on Digital Marketing and a series of training and specialization courses and webinars.

Yvette Pineyro > www.WildChildPost.com / www.WeAreResident.com

2011-09-16T11:08:00.003-04:00

Yvette Pineyro, Owner & Founder, Wild (child) / Resident Creative Studio

1. What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

Guts! Seriously, a passion for doing something that you love is most important, this passion allows you to maintain your drive and focus while growing your business.

2. What did inspire you to start your business?

I grew up in a family of filmmakers. It was a very creative environment and I developed a passion for storytelling and visual imagery at an early age. My aunt, Gloria Pineyro was an award-winning documentary editor who made the transition into advertising in the 1970’s. She owned her own editorial house in New York City, a place where I spent endless hours. After graduating from film school, I joined her company and in 1996, I launched the first incarnation of Wild(child) Editorial, and began building a business model that reflected my personal global aesthetic. I will always be grateful to have had such an inspirational mentor!

3. How did you finance it?

I was lucky to have someone who believed in my talent and business savvy. My aunt lent me the seed money to launch Wild(child), and I purchased my first AVID system. Then, as the business grew, and we met and surpassed our projections, I was able to secure loans to take it to the next level.

4. Being Hispanic… Does it have any influence on your business?

Being Hispanic influences my business in that it has provided me with an appreciation of a diverse mix of international aesthetics that brings a unique perspective to our work in all markets.

From the day that Wild(child) opened its doors we attracted high-end General Market work, as well as Hispanic and Latin American projects. We do have to work harder to maintain a balanced perception of our company in order to counter the industry’s tendency to pigeonhole a company. We are pro-active about showcasing our high-end general market work, talents and the accolades they receive. The fact is, I strive to maintain a diverse multicultural team of talent because my experience has always been that it provides the general market with access to a wider range of fresh talent.

By definition, creativity is all about pushing boundaries, yet we still need to prove to the industry that our artists speak a universal language. It is a process and we build relationships one agency at a time.

5. In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

I wake up each day truly looking forward to meeting the challenges that the business throws at me. My deep passion for the craft of editing is also a great motivator.

Adversity is a fact of life… but it’s no match for Wild(child)’s collaborative team of creative problem-solvers. My staff is an inspiring group with a creative spirit and passion for their work that allows us to keep raising the creative bar, and taking our work to the next level. Belief in the people that I work with is another motivating factor.

6. What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

Staying ahead of the curve. The industry experienced a major shakeup three-years ago, and companies scrambled to create one-stop shops that could provide clients with a more efficient approach to creating media content.

Over six-years ago I launched Wild(child) Editorial’s sister company, Resident Creative Studio, and assembled a team of top-caliber designers, VFX artists, directors, and producers, creating a full-service compliment to Wild(child) Editorial’s services.

Our Flatiron-based NY facility was designed to provide an expansive, open architecture space where the two companies can collaborate, and seamlessly take a project from concept to completion, working on 360-degree campaigns in multiple platforms - while providing over-the-top clients services.

7. If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

The sofas. But I am in the process.

8. What was your childhood ambition?

To be a stockbroker but the creative side of my brain squashed that idea.

And in this industry I still get to deal with all of the ups and downs of the world of high finance – just on a smaller scale.

9. Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

1. Oprah, for her vision, the diversity of her brand and the power of a woman!

2. Florence Knoll, for timeless modern design and her nurturing of designers.

3. Steve Jobs, for his innovative designs in the field of communication and technology and having more cash than the US government!

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

Dinner.

11. What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

In many ways, my personal and professional lives are so intertwined that I am lucky not to have had to sacrifice much. I love what I do and have so many close friends in the business. Mostly, I just feel lucky.

12. What is your favorite quote?

“Help the talented because the untalented will get there by themselves,” – Nestor Almendros.

13. Is it difficult to be unconventional?

Taking risks is unconventional and can be difficult, but very necessary.

14. Biggest mistake ever made?

I wish I had gotten an MBA as well as a film degree. Because creating a solid infrastructure and understanding the bottom line was something that I had to learn on the job.

15. Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

It took me almost 16 years to realize there aren’t many women, particularly minority women, who are the sole owners of two NYC companies in this industry: I’ve been told that qualifies me as an industry pioneer. Who knew?

I also started handpicking and signing international talent before it was trendy. and always saw creativity from a global perspective.

About the companies:

Wild(child) Editorial is a NYC-based creative boutique with an award-winning roster of in-house editors complimented by a select roster of global talent that offers advertising agencies and content creators in the general and multicultural arenas the ability to connect with a wide range of cultures and styles. We provide a full range of postproduction services – from rough-cut editorial through completion - for commercials as well as music videos, films, broadcast programming and emerging media.

The veteran editorial company’s recent work includes spots for Nike, Verizon, Givenchy, Candies, Time Warner, Frontier Airlines, P&G, Wendy’s, USA Network, as well feature films, such as Al Pacino’s acclaimed film, Wilde Salome, which will be presented with the Glory Award at the 2011 Venice Film Festival, and the feature film City Island, starring Andy Garcia which won the Tribeca Audience Award.

Resident Creative Studio is a creative consortium where a multi-disciplined collective of top-caliber international design-driven talent specializing VFX, photorealistic CG, motion graphics, live-action production, interactive and emerging media provide clients with a seamless, open-architecture creative environment, from concept through completion. The ability to collaborate with Wild(child) Editorial in an open-architecture creative environment allows the two companies to take their shared created vision from concept to the completion of a project. Resident’s roster of work includes spots for Avon, Heineken, Verizon, Pepsi, Max Factor, Remington, Time Warner, and Vitamin Water; Music Videos include Coldplay, Kanye West, Jay Z, Kenna and Lupe Fiasco.

Silvie Celiz & Maryl Celiz > www.silvieandmaryl.com

2011-09-14T01:12:00.005-04:00

Silvie Celiz & Maryl Celiz, Co-Founders, Silvie+Maryl

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

Silvie: Vision, drive, initiative, passion for your mission, a solid plan, courage to take risks, leadership, and an overwhelmingly strong desire to be your own boss.

Maryl: Passion, creativity, self-knowledge, a sense of purpose, and a lot of energy. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

What did inspire you to start your business?

Silvie: Knowing myself. I'm a leader and a visionary, and also a really bad employee. Knowing that I can't do anything else but run my own ship with my own rules, ideas, and at my own pace forced me to go inwards to gather all my gifts and skills, come up with a plan on how I can contribute them to humanity while making a sustainable business. Once that was established, we looked outward, out in the world, and we clearly saw our place in the world plus a gap that we could fill and be pioneers of.

Maryl: I had been laid off as a newspaper editor and had to evaluate where to put my efforts next. I decided that I would only do work that my heart said yes to. Nothing I was being offered did that. As a journalist, I knew that this country was in desperate need of truth and information when it came to health and I always felt my purpose in life was service via information, so when Silvie had the idea to create a healthy living informational resource to help peopled live better lives, I jumped at the chance, because I knew it was something I was both able and willing to do. Mind and heart were in it.

How did you finance it?

Silvie: Family investor who believed in us and stood by our mission.

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

Maryl: Absolutely. For starters, it’s a family-owned and operated business, and family involvement is a hugely Hispanic thing. We also made sure we had bilingual content for the Hispanic community, because our hearts go out to all of the immigrants in the USA struggling with obesity, diabetes and heart disease, and who would benefit from knowing how to prepare healthy meals, deal with stress, and feel a sense of connection with their spirituality. We saw there was no bilingual holistic resource online and we decided to fill that gap.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

Silvie: Our global mission keeps us going. The frequent positive feedback keeps us going. We also believe in the authenticity and quality of our brand, service, and product. It's positive for humanity and for our world, and it’s needed - someone has to do it. We also apply what we teach: Spirituality. The Law of Rhythm reminds us that life has an ebb and a flow, and the Law of Polarity shows us that we live in a dual world where there will always be up and downs, so we take this into account and know that there will always be an up after a down, and that keeps us going too.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

Maryl: Rebranding. We launched as HLife and now relaunched as Silvie+Maryl, and it was hard to make the decision to go on hiatus, potentially lose all the momentum we’d had, and develop this next step for our business. But it was necessary and it has turned out to be the best thing we could’ve done. The new brand is even closer to what we really wanted to do as a business and more effective in its messaging. We have something unique - the first and only healthy living video email - and it’s a personality brand, which people can identify with and learn from very easily. It’s an accessible, visual, informative and entertaining way to deliver health to people’s inboxes. Show me, don’t tell me. Plus we now offer coaching and workshops, which is a natural extension of what we’ve been doing.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Silvie: Nothing because it's constantly evolving and changing all the time.

What was your childhood ambition?

Maryl: To be a scientist or an architect. Today, I build better lives for people through science and spirituality.

Silvie: I always wanted to run my own business with my sister.... and live on the same block. We do.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

Maryl: Richard Branson (Virgin) because of his colorful business style and his policy to re-route employees to other departments within his company instead of firing them - recycling at its best. Steve Jobs (Apple) because of his creativity and the ability to follow his passion from calligraphy classes that were not in his college curriculum all the way to an indispensable empire of technology that makes my life easier - and more beautiful - today. Oprah Winfrey (Harpo, O) as the ultimate positive information brand. She took daytime talk in a different direction and made it a higher calling.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Silvie: None. The act of nourishment (which should be a break to relax and recharge our cells) should not be mixed with stressful, mentally focused business meetings. I prefer tea or juice meetings in the afternoon.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

Maryl: Time and travel. Launching a business is an extraordinary feat that takes over your life for the first years - time, money, energy. All your resources are dedicated to your dream when you’re a true entrepreneur and for me this has meant exercising a bit less and getting less sun in the summer, as well as less travel, which is something I love to do. It’s also meant a restructuring of my relationship with my sister/best friend/business partner Silvie, but that’s been an education in respect, self-understanding, and compassion.

What is your favorite quote?

Silvie: I have two - “If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything”. And “if you have nothing, you have nothing to lose.”

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

Maryl: It’s dangerous not to be.

Biggest mistake made?

Silvie: Not being an entrepreneur sooner. I would have liked to begin at age 17.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

Maryl: Absolutely. From our style of communication to Wellness MindApps signature system, Silvie and I have created new paradigms of what is health in today’s world. Innovation is exactly what we do: we upgrade the concept of health in people’s minds. We’re the first and only healthy living video email. New perspectives of self and lifestyle, done through cutting-edge digital technology - it doesn’t get more innovative than that.

About the company

Silvie+Maryl is a bilingual holistic healthy lifestyle brand and multimedia resource created to upgrade you mind and transform your life from the inside out. The website silvieandmaryl.com features Silvie+Maryl TV, the first and only free weekly video email on healthy living through nutrition, love, spirituality and design, plus an archive library of over 200 articles, private life coaching, lectures, and worldwide workshops.

Ruben Orozco > www.TweetFind.com

2011-09-08T14:13:00.000-04:00

Ruben Orozco, Founder, TweetFind

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

Desire and Hunger to create

What did inspire you to start your business?

I was attending Pubcon in Las Vegas. It was there that seeing and talking with a lot of other Entrepreneurs inspired me to create.

How did you finance it?

Self finance.

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

It has some influence because I strive to make my website appeal to the Latin community as well.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

The Future and the possibility of creating something that's great.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

The biggest challenge is promoting my company within a small market city (Santa Barbara, CA).

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Nothing at all. I'm happy with the position my company is now.

What was your childhood ambition?

Be a Professional Baseball Player or owner of a Restaurant. :)

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Biz Stone

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?

Having a full time job and creating businesses does sacrifice my free time during the week.

What is your favorite quote?

"Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on Earth'' - Roberto Clemente.

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

No, you just have to think outside the box.

Biggest mistake made?

Should of created more businesses while in College.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

Yes, because I love to think and create on possible breakthrough products.

About the company:

TweetFind.com is a user Generated Online Twitter Directory to help people and businesses find and follow users.

TweetFindTools.com is a set of Web-based Twitter Tools to help user manage their Twitter Community, whether that is followers/customers.

Pablo Haas > www.paralelo54.com

2011-08-29T11:21:00.002-04:00

Pablo Haas, CEO & Founder, Paralelo 54

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

Courage, Good ideas, Confidence and planning vision.

What did inspire you to start your business?

Passion for tourism.

How did you finance it?

Personal savings.

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

Sure, we focus our business in a latin vision of our country.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

As long as we have good ideas and they are viable, we will keep betting on it.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

2008 Global Crisis, Airline strikes, H1N1 “paranoia”.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

I would bet all of it into the Web.

What was your childhood ambition?

So many I couldn’t peak just one. Classic: Astronaut, firemen.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

My best friend and my brother, with their project www.implicate.org

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Dinner.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

If I can consider the actual situation as a success, I can say maybe the biggest sacrifice was letting go a good career at the travel agency I worked before.

What is your favorite quote?

“In a World of universal deceit… telling the truth is revolutionary”.

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

Not our case… we found our target thinking different.

Biggest mistake made?

In the business aspect: Bet on Spain on 2008.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

Yes in a lot of aspects. Because we focus on bringing new experiences to our passengers. We try to change the classic tour into a personal experience.

About the Company

Paralelo 54 was born out of the experience and union of ideas of three young entrepreneurs with a common goal: to personalize luxurious trips and show traditional destinations from inside and in new forms.

Weighing our experience and knowing every corner and secret of the country, we decided to be unique and idealistic. To share our landscapes and traditions is to share our passion and admiration for a country that has it all. Possessing all the climates and environments in one territory permits us to offer perfect tours for any traveller, especially the most demanding.

Our primary aim is to ensure a rich and profound experience of life for every visitor and to elaborate our proposals accordingly.

For that, we have established high standards of services based on the premise of genuine attention to all passengers.

We believe that, to offer first-class tailor-made trips as an intermediary, we need to have an intimate, personalized and reliable relationship with each of our fellow travelers.

Based on these ideals, we have fixed the following objectives:

- to create a cordial, polite, speedy and above all enthusiastic working atmosphere;

- to be attentive at all times and accept new ideas and ways to be unique;

- to search for constant change and excellence to meet the highest level of demands and new services, and to share them;

- to grow together with our distributors as promoters of an ecological and sustainable tourism.

Luis Iragorri > www.bannastrows.com

2011-08-23T17:11:00.001-04:00

Luis Iragorri, Founder, BannaStrow’s

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

The first thing you need in order to be an entrepreneur is passion for what you do. You have to have passion and persistence in your efforts.

What did inspire you to start your business?

Coming from a difficult situation like my kidnapping in Colombia and having to migrate to this great country, emerged the idea of identifying a business similar to the ones I had in Colombia but also identifying one that had great potential in the US. That is how we came up with the idea for crepes.

How did you finance it?

When we started the concept I had a business partner whose group had the capital we needed to start the venture. It is through them that we financed the beginning of BannaStrow’s.

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

Coming from a culture like ours (Hispanic culture), where resources are limited and we are used to a very fast return in investment, served us to make sure that the structure of the business was designed with low level of investment compared with similar concepts, thus achieving that more small investors have access to the concept.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

We try to use adversity as a way to learn and adapt. For example in the year 2008 facing the economic crisis, our business survived by adjusting the payroll and looking for alternative raw materials without sacrificing service or quality as a result we became more efficient.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

At the exit of initial investor group looking for partners with the same or more passion was a difficult task. But I can say I've been very lucky because out of a crisis situation we emerged strengthened again with the entrance of Mauricio Acevedo and Juan Estrada to the team (my new partners).

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Probably there will be many things to change in the future, for now we've made some changes and the business is very adaptable to change and we always keep our mind open to continuous improvement.

What was your childhood ambition?

In a house with 10 brothers there are always lots of love but a lot of needs, from an early age I learned to use work as a way to meet any needs.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

Every day there is a new entrepreneur to admire and try to emulate, I always hear a lot of ordinary people doing good things and I always learn from them.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Personally I am an early riser and I like the business in the morning and evening with the family.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

I would not called them sacrifices but to accept challenges, challenges that were slowly adding experience to build the concept Bannastrow's. For example, one of which was to personally operate for one year, opening and closing of the stores, 7 days a week, which allowed me to clearly identify the strengths and correct weaknesses.

What is your favorite quote?

"That's easy” not because things are easy but because it is always possible to do anything you set your mind to do if you have that way of looking at it.

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

I really don’t know what being conventional is. I've always been unconventional!

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

Saying I am an innovator is too ambitious. I think what we have done is to identify opportunities, strengths and weaknesses and build from there a successful system, a different business model, dynamic, healthy, and above all cost effective.

About the company

BannaStrow’s is a 23-unit franchise concept that focuses on an assorted menu of Crepes, Coffee and smoothies, was created after more than 14-years of expertise in the restaurant business. The creators of BannaStrow’s saw a tremendous potential in crepes as an outstanding food item for time-pressed shopping mall customers. Today the concept is starting to saturate the areas with proximity to food courts and high foot traffic in the U.S., with its development being led by CEO Mauricio Acevedo.

Mailet Lopez > www.ihadcancer.com

2011-08-16T18:04:00.000-04:00

Mailet Lopez, Founder, I Had Cancer

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

Tough skin, passion and a strong work ethic. You need to believe in yourself, even when others don’t, and be willing to take risks. That’s where the best ideas come from.

What did inspire you to start your business?

I have been involved in two start-ups. The first is Squeaky Wheel Media, a thriving digital agency in NYC that I co-founded on the heels of the 9-11 attacks in NYC.

The second is IHadCancer.com. While undergoing treatment for Type 2B breast cancer, I realized that there was a serious problem that accompanied dealing with cancer that even I – with my loving and devoted support network – couldn't escape: the feeling of isolation and confusion that accompanied the disease and treatment.

After surviving my battle with Cancer, I wanted to help the next person who was affected, so I leveraged that experience along with my many years in the digital space as technologist and digital pioneer to build I Had Cancer.

How did you finance it?

I Had Cancer was 100% financed by myself, my agency and a small group of colleagues.

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

Yes, it has taught me the value of hard work and courage. My family escaped from Cuba when I just a young girl as a part of the Mariel boatlift in 1980. I have seen firsthand what it means to fight for everything you have. My parents are a great example of that and have been an inspiration. I have definitely picked up on their amazing work ethic.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

I was so lucky to have the support and love of my family and amazing friends while fighting cancer. I felt a great deal of gratitude and responsibility to pay it forward. I knew I had to make it so that nobody felt isolated or alone while dealing with this horrid disease. It was just a brilliant stroke of luck that I met someone who was around my age and had just gone through what I was about to embark on. Talking to this person made the process of dealing with cancer much easier for me. From hearing about what to expect to knowing that my symptoms were normal, connecting with someone who could relate to what I was going through made me feel less isolated and confused. That’s when I realized the power of connections and I knew that I had to make that available to others. I wanted to help people and that’s what kept me going.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

With very little funding for outreach, we are relying on word of mouth to start the movement. We have to manage our expectations for growth, which we recognize will happen over months, not days.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

To do a better job at making people recognize their story is truly important, no matter how trivial they may think it may be. It’s important for people to know that the sum totals of their stories will help turn our site into a movement.

What was your childhood ambition?

I’m living it right now. I always wanted to start my own company and help make the world a better place. As cliché as that sounds, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and living it is truly a blessing. Going forward I want to continue making a difference in people’s lives.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

The first is my business partner, Anthony DelMonte. I believed in him when he started Squeaky Wheel Media, and when it was my turn to incubate I Had Cancer; he was 110% behind it. He is passionate, hard working, extremely generous and also one of the most creative people I know.

The second is Steve Jobs. He has proven to invent and reinvent Apple from day one. He continues to be a leader in innovation, technology and human behavior. His company excelled with him at its helm and continues to do so while he battles illness.

Lastly, like a true Latina, the others would have to be my parents. They are not entrepreneurs in the full sense of the word, but they came to the US with nothing and built the American dream through hard work, determination and love.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

All of the above, but business lunches are best. We are fortunate enough to be located in New York City and we definitely take advantage of the awesome restaurant selection by our office. We also cook together pretty often (black beans, rice and tostones). We have a pretty well stocked kitchen in the office and the whole staff will sit down for a meal together a few times a month.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

Sometimes I had to give up having a personal life at all. The success I have achieved has taken a lot of hard work, but I’ve enjoyed every second of it! The sacrifices you make in running a company is time. It’s the one thing you cannot get back, so it’s important to do things you love to do and make them a part of your life. As such, I work with my best friends and enjoy the challenges of building a company with people who share the same dream.

What is your favorite quote?

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” William James

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

No! Especially if you’re Latina.

Biggest mistake made?

I wish I had thought of this idea sooner!

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

Most definitely, I do. I want to change the way that people in this world deal with cancer. I want to eliminate the stigma around the disease, open up conversation and find a solution to managing life before, during and after cancer.

About the company

I Had Cancer is a social support network with the mission of helping people deal more effectively with life before, during and after cancer. For more information visit www.ihadcancer.com

Martin Blanco > www.avealma.com

2011-08-04T18:05:00.002-04:00

Martin Blanco, Founder, Sound Designer & Music Producer, Avealma Sound Delivery

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

You have to be creative. This will give you the main tool to face this amazing and challenging journey to complete independence.

What did inspire you to start your business?

After 10 years in the media business I started to feel like a robot doing the same work everyday in a factory. So I thought, wouldn't it be a great to work everyday on a different project with passion and love and earn money like that?

How did you finance it?

With my own resources. As I told you before, you need to be creative. In latin america it is not easy at all. At first I started with it as a side project, working 17hs everyday between my regular job and Avealma. After a year I could dedicate my entire day to this.

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

For sure. Knowing our culture and learning a new one gives you a great advantage. Being bilingual opens you to many doors.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

Creativity is everything. Look for new markets, new kind of investments… the world is always changing and it is good to change with it.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

Being known as a standalone service. The audio component is sometimes underestimated so you have to demonstrate what you can do and how you can improve the final product.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Trying not to work the whole day, but I don’t know if it is possible. Running an online company with projects around the world makes you work for many time zones.

What was your childhood ambition?

Traveling around the world with no boundaries and being an astronaut.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

Steve jobs, my uncle and my dad.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Lunch works very well for me.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

Time! Being an entrepreneur means, at least at first, you have to work at anytime. Your family and friends will miss you a little.

What is your favorite quote?

Less is more.

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

I love to be unconventional. Sometimes they pay me for that.

Biggest mistake made?

Trying to do everything no matter what or how.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

Yes. When I started to think about Avealma I did it myself (not using google). So I didn’t copy others projects. Being one of the first is good and a risk at the same time.

About the company:

AVEALMA | sound delivery is a new concept in audio postproduction. We work via intenet and all over the world. We are a team of professionals with more than 10 years of expertise working around the clock in recording sessions, M&E creation and any and every type of sound production. TV spots and branding, commercials, radio spots, documentaries, etc. A 24/7, 365 day a year solution.

Adriana Rocha > www.ecglobal.com

2011-08-01T16:57:00.001-04:00

Adriana Rocha, CEO and Co-Founder, eCGlobal

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

Courage not to be afraid of making mistakes, Vision to know where you want to go, Determination to stand-up when you fall, Passion to enchant other people and Leadership to guide your team.

What did inspire you to start your business?

The wish to change our Industry and to build something innovative and revolutionary that could impact positively the way companies understand and engage with their customers and consumers.

How did you finance it?

Personal finances.

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

Definitely. The fact that I am Latin and come from a region with so much diversity and rich in history in terms of social, economical and cultural challenges, it made me feel stronger and better prepare to act in the most adverse situations. Like we say in our country, Brazil, to be successful in life you need to have “jogo de cintura” (be a good dribbler).

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

I am an extremely positive person. I always see obstacles and mistakes as opportunities for learning and growing. In times of trouble, I try to use intuition, have a positive attitude, analyze the situation from different angles, and always seek for solutions.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

I believe that our biggest challenge has been to build our “dream team”, creating a corporate culture that would attract the best talents and maintain them motivated, inspired and passionate for what they do, believing always that we can achieve our objectives.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

I would invest even more in training and development of our team.

What was your childhood ambition?

My childhood dream was to be a doctor like my father and be able to help other people. I opted for another professional career in marketing and information technology but my dream of being able to do more and help other less privilege people always continues. I know I can do much more in that sense.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

Iván Casas, my associate and co-founder of the Company. Iván is a dreamer, idealist and visionary. It was him who gave me the inspiration and force that I needed to arrive at this stage.

Norberto Odebrecht, founder of the Construction Company Odebrecht that started in my home city in Salvador, Bahia, in the 1940s. In 1991, Odebrecht was the first Brazilian Company to conduct a public work in the USA and became one of the largest corporate groups in the world.

Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Inc.

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?

Many. One of the biggest is not having enough time to spend as much as I would like to with my three children.

What is your favorite quote?

Actually I love quotes, and this is one of my favorites: “When you say yes to others, make sure you are not saying no to yourself”. Paulo Coelho, Brazilian writer.

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

For me is very easy and fun. I could never be a conventional person, following routines, and not stand out from the crowd, be different in what I do.

Biggest mistake made?

Trying to do many things at the same time and not been able to finish something well. Be able to define priorities and make things happen, step-by-step, within our own capabilities, was one of our great learning.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

Yes. To innovate is to constantly look for ways to create something new, foment ideas, anticipate the future, and develop something different that causes a positive impact to our Clients. That’s what we do in our daily activities and that is why we have created a work environment conducive to foster innovation and ideas generation in each of our team members.

About the company:

eCGlobal is a company specialized in interactive solutions for consumer relationship and knowledge in Latin America and the US. We build technology platforms and social networks like eCglobal.com with more than 500,000 Hispanics and Latin Americans, who share their opinions, experiences and knowledge, helping enterprises around the world to make better decisions and develop better products and services.

Tony Peralta > www.theperaltaproject.com

2011-07-28T07:30:00.000-04:00

Tony Peralta, Owner & Designer, The Peralta Project

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

You need an idea and the ability to take the risk to manifest your idea.

What did inspire you to start your business?

As an artist, I wanted to use another medium to showcase my work. A t- shirt is like a blank canvas and a lot more affordable, so I started my own t-shirt company as another way to showcase my artwork.

How did you finance it?

I financed my company with my own money. I worked full-time as a designer and used my money to produce shirts. Since I'm a graphic designer I don't have to pay anyone to design for me, my money just went towards production.

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

I think it does in a subconscious way. I live in a heavily populated Dominican community and there are a lot of Dominican-owned businesses here. My own parents are entrepreneurs: my father owned a bodega in NYC and my mom owns a small business in the Dominican Republic.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

I decide to keep going with my business because I feel it gives me purpose. I really can’t see myself doing anything else.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

My biggest problem with my business is growth. In order for me to grow, I need a partner; someone that can handle the logistics for me. Right now, I am the designer, marketing department and sales department of my business.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

I wouldn't change anything, just improve and grow.

What was your childhood ambition?

When I was a kid, I would daydream about being a famous artist.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

I admire Russell Simmons, Steve Jobs and my parents.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Lunch is the perfect time for me to have a business meeting. I have the perfect amount of energy at that time.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

I have not made any sacrifices; I really try to live a balanced life.

What is your favorite quote?

"Don't race against others, race against yourself".

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

Being unconventional comes easy to me because that's how I've always been.

Biggest mistake made?

The first shirt I produced had a typo and I noticed it when I received my finished product. I couldn't use them. Having paid for production out of pocket, it really hurt me and was a lesson well learned.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

As far as my t-shirt business, I don’t because there are a million other t-shirt companies. I just try to deliver quality work.

About the company:

The Peralta Project is an independently owned t-shirt company that is a direct extension of my artwork and designs.

Michelle Sanchez > www.modamodelos.com

2011-07-22T16:21:00.000-04:00

Michelle Sanchez, Owner and Operator of Moda Modelos

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

First thing I would say is that you have to have the mentality to NOT think like an employee but is so hard because we go to school to be employees. To be an entrepreneur you must have a strong personality to stand out and be different.

What did inspire you to start your business?

NOT going back to corporate America was the first thing that inspired me when I started my business. Also, what inspired me to start a talent agency in Dallas was the lack of Hispanic representation. I wanted to be the one of the first in Dallas to be an agency that only caters to the Hispanic market.

How did you finance it?

Since I new that my business needed only a minor start up capitol I funded everything with my credit cards sense I had good credit. Then I did a lot of networking and did trades with many people that were willing to support my start up.

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

Yes, for my business only caters to the Hispanic market. Also, being a Hispanic women is a major influence on other Latinas trying to start their own business as well.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

There’s no other choice but to keep going on. We don’t live in a fantasy world where we have someone come and rescue us. When im not accomplishing anything then that’s when I know its time for a different strategy not a time to just give up.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

Being a small business the biggest challenges we face is not having a budget for advertising and marketing. In order to grow to reinvent yourself is vital to stay at the top. So we try to be innovative and do our best with what we do have.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Since I am in the modeling industry one thing that I wish I could change would be the industry standards of what a model is. They’re still 5’10, 34B, 26, 36. Girls have to starve themselves to be this way. However, I’m lucky enough that I cater to the Hispanic market and I get to recruit models with real curves!

What was your childhood ambition?

One childhood ambition was to be a performer. Since I was 15 I danced ballet and pop. I wanted to live in NYC and perform in some Broadway shows. Till this day I try to still keep up with it and I’m even now in the process of recording my first pop song that I even wrote!

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

I only have 2, Oprah and my Mom

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Dinner! I Feel that most people are more productive at a dinner that is not so formal and in a relaxed environment.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

I DON’T have much of a personal life. I don’t get to date much or try to be in a relationship. That’s has been the biggest challenge because I know I can’t be marry to my career forever and end up like Miranda from the Devil Wears Prada. After watching that movie I realized I do not want to end up like her!

What is your favorite quote?

Don’t really have one but a tag line I have for my business is “Its Not about modeling… Its about Representing”.

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

No, not for me because I’m secure in me and my work to be unconventional. Its Vital to be unconventional to remain in business.

Biggest mistake made?

Was to not qualify a business partner I brought in several years ago. He was in it for the wrong reasons. So now I’m a lot wiser as to whom I bring on my team.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

Yes I do, with a marketing background I push myself to always think outside the box. People do appreciate it because they know they wouldn’t be able to pull off what I do.

About the company:

MODA Modelos was established back in May of 2005 and now is a full service Texas License talent agency representing and talent & models catering to fashion/commercial print, promotions, and themed fashion show production.

Ricardo de la Blanca > www.dlbgroup.com

2011-07-20T13:57:00.003-04:00

Ricardo de la Blanca, CEO, DLB Group

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

The first step is to identify a need and attack it; you must have confidence, courage, energy, perseverance and dedication above all.

What did inspire you to start your business?

My inspiration has always been the desire and enthusiasm to build something incredible that can stand the test of time, because in a way, my company, in some degree, is my footprint on earth.

How did you finance it?

The main thing is to understand the type of business you're getting into. Once I understood this business model, I sought spontaneous financing, which is nothing more than the support of providers.

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

The biggest Hispanic influence I've applied to my business has been the ability to adjust to changes. Due to high market volatility in Latin American countries, we have learned to be patient and confront any unusual situations.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

One of the things that every entrepreneur should keep in mind when building a business is that there will always be good times and bad times. Something very important that any business should have - whether big, average or small - is a capacity to react and adapt to changes. I’ve been through a few difficult times in my life, and it’s these moments that help me realize the importance of the team that surrounds me. I could say that my team is my business, and it will depend on my recruiting abilities if we are ready to navigate through the adversities that every employer will indeed have to face.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

Make DLB Group the most important agency in Venezuela was no easy task. It took passion, dedication and hard work. But undoubtedly the biggest challenge we’ve faced was to make this business go international. The fact of developing the same business in three regions and five countries at the same time is one of my greatest achievements as an entrepreneur.

- If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Every business in any industry must be changing constantly to fit the needs of the market and stay current with technology. Fortunately, our company has been able to adapt to new trends and evolve over time. There’s nothing in particular that we would change radically, as we have designed and structured a company the way we believe it should be.

What was your childhood ambition?

My childhood ambition was to manage my family’s business, Tropicana.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

My father; Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook; Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Inc.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

In my opinion, all three meals work and each has its magic. A positive aspect about breakfast is that people are fresh, with no problems to think about and less business calls or interventions that usually happen during the day; this way you can put all your attention on the issue of discussion. Lunch is another business opportunity as it becomes the perfect break that can be used to make a certain connection and close good deals. On the other hand, dinner is definitely a less-business-type of meal, it’s an opportunity to bond with a client and get to know him on a personal level, this is incredibly important in the business world to create strong bilateral relations.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

Behind every successful business there’s always going to be a few sacrifices suffered. The most important sacrifices I’ve had to make in order to lift this business up is to spend less time with family and friends and have very few opportunities to practice different hobbies.

What is your favorite quote?

“Always Learning/Always Improving” and “Always One Step Ahead” which are the premises of DLB Group Worldwide.

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

The easy way is to copy and replicate what’s already been done. Being unconventional means more effort, creativity and doing things differently. It is certainly more challenging, but also more fun.

Biggest mistake made?

Not to have started my business earlier.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

I do consider myself an innovator. I’m a person who always seeks to do things differently and I always like to distinguish myself from my competitors. Being innovative makes me offer my clients a unique service, which in turn differentiates them from their competition.

About the company:

DLB Group is a global marketing services integrator and the first independent non-conventional ad network with presence in the U.S., Spain and Latin America. The staff includes experts in the areas of commercial architecture, SMS, Web design, PR, trade marketing, broadcast and print production among others. DLB Group creates impactful plans that support the message between different media bringing memorable experience and brand contact to the consumer. The company has offices in the U.S., Spain, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela and Panama.

Mariela Sporn > www.realref.com.ar

2011-07-19T13:03:00.008-04:00

Mariela Sporn, Founder, RealRef

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

I think it’s important to have energy, creativity, passion and proactivity. It is vital to trust in what you do and plan, get organized, listen, be flexible and persevering.

What did inspire you to start your business?

I was looking for a job and I finally had to decide between two job proposals, and I wondered. How do I know which is the best place to work? How can we reduce the gap between employees’ expectations and the companies’ reality? How do I know what it is like the working environment, management team, the opportunities given for professional growth, beyond from what one friend can tell me? On the other hand, organizations need to know how they are perceived and I ask myself, how can they improve without waiting 6 or 12 months for the Employee Satisfaction Survey results? And how can they know what their former employees think about them? The answers to all this questions are in RealRef.

How did you finance it?

Personal savings.

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

Yes. We are a society that relies heavily on the suggestions of others to make our own decisions; we take into account other references, whether these come through social networks or face to face.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

It is important to remember that obstacles can get to come and one must be ready to face them. With passion, effort, a good team, strategy and creativity one can learn from adversity and move on, emerging stronger from them, which is called resilience.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

Introducing a new model in Latinamerica, by which employees are those who rate their workplace and access to firsthand information. In turn, it was a great challenge to have been one of the 6 selected Startups and present it to a group of business leaders and entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley, at the Universidad de San Andrés with Palermo Valley, and also to present RealRef for 800 people at the Online Marketing Day after being selected between more than 150 projects.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

We are working on important improvements to the site in terms of usability, among others, simplifying steps, creating a more user-friendly platform.

What was your childhood ambition?

To make a contribution to society, create positive change. I also wanted to be a writer, which still stands.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn's creator), Marcos Galperin (Founder and CEO of MercadoLibre) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (co-founder of the NGO Vital Voices, which promote women's leadership).

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Breakfast.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

I had to take time given to my family and friends, to whom I am grateful, they are accompanying me from the beginning of this process and drive me to turn RealRef bigger every day.

What is your favorite quote?

Impossible is nothing.

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

It is challenging to incorporate a new concept, create something new, be held by one the possibility of improving the job quality for example and help others to find the right job.

Biggest mistake made?

Be very detailed. We waited to have a perfect product before launching it, when we could have communicate it a previous stage and improve it later.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

Yes. We develop a community that is pioneering in the use of rating system for the labor category. Employees find in RealRef a place where they can express their opinions, anonymously, and decide the best place to work, in turn allowing businesses to identify areas for improvement in real time.

About the company:

RealRef is a free career community where anyone can find and anonymously share an inside look at companies. What sets us apart is that all our information comes from current and former employees. Users rate companies based on several variables, allowing others and themselves to identify the best places to work, regardless the size or field of the enterprise, and companies are provided with real-time information to be in the continuous process of improvement, based on their performance.

Valeria Pasmanter > www.spareroomsba.com

2011-07-13T08:35:00.000-04:00

Valeria Pasmanter, Founder, Spare Rooms Buenos Aires

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

Believe in an idea with so much passion and strength, and be able to spread that to people around you.

What did inspire you to start your business?

I was tired of hearing the same complaints from demoralized foreigners in Buenos Aires: they lost time and money in a worthless search and they didn’t get what they’ve paid. I wanted to help them to find the room that they really like!

How did you finance it?

Personal savings.

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

Of course. We are very friendly, so that help me to build good links with people.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

I always had in mind to build long term relationships, if there is some adversity I try to think of something that (eventually) build lasting relationships.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

That Argentines incorporate this new form of rent rooms in their homes to foreigners coming to live in Buenos Aires.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

Convincing the owner of the room that the rent money is not the only thing that he/she will get renting the room, the cultural experience to live with people from abroad is priceless.Receive foreigners is like traveling backwards.

What was your childhood ambition?

To have my own business and be recognized in what I do.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

Andy Freire (officenet.com) and my father.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Breakfast, I’m more fresh during the morning.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

Many weekends at home working without seeing my family and friends.

What is your favorite quote?

When you pray, move your feet. (African Proverb).

Receive foreigners is like traveling backwards. (by Spare Rooms Buenos Aires)

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

No, it's fun. I like to think differently and believe that things can be different.

Biggest mistake made?

Not trusting my instincts sometimes. I have to learn to follow my intuition more often.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?

Yes, because we formalized the concept of renting rooms in family houses and shared apartments in Buenos Aires. Helping many people to receive foreigners in their homes, while generating many happy foreigners in their new rooms.

About the company:

Spare Room Buenos Aires is an Argentine company that rents rooms in shared apartments and homestays for people interested in spending a period of their life in Buenos Aires, whether to study, work or enjoy a holiday.