County Executive Robert P. Astorino in partnership with Latin Business Today, a national online publication dedicated to enable the success and growth of Latino small businesses, will host a Hispanic small business forum titled Crossroads to Customers, Capital and Contracts on Thursday, May 29 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Westchester Community College, Gateway Center Atrium, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla.
"Approximately 10 percent of all Westchester businesses are owned by Hispanics," said Astorino. "That is why my team is partnering with Latin Business Today to host an event that brings business owners together to learn about every available tool that can help start or grow their business."
At the forum, which is free, local business owners will have the opportunity to listen and learn from a panel of experts that will discuss topics based on three essential food groups for businesses:
- Customers: How to reach your customers and increase your business through targeted marketing and innovative solutions.
- Capital: How to gain access to capital through loans and financing programs.
- Contracts: How to secure government contracts and grow your business.
In addition, guests will have the opportunity to ask questions and network with both private and public providers that can help start or grow their business.
"We're excited to partner with Westchester County, which recognized my late father-in-law Dr. Les "Coach" Fernandez on April 30, 1991 for his 25 years as founder and executive director of EduCage a charter school for at-risk youth," said Barry Mittelman, publisher of Latin Business Today. "Coach was the inspiration for our publication and tag line: Inform, Inspire, Mentor & Empower."
The panel discussion will be moderated by Senen Garcia, an attorney, SCORE mentor, entrepreneur and Latin Business Today advisory board member. Panelists include: Franco Cabral, senior vice president, AdCorp Media Group; Shaun Asbury, vice president, commercial lending with TD Bank in Purchase; Kim Jacobs, executive director, Community Capital New York; Elias Mendoza, vice president, Siris Capital; Jim Coleman, Minority and Women Business Enterprise liaison officer, Westchester County; and Stella Vida, CPA, principal Hart Vida Raffo. View the complete program.
Event sponsors include: TD Bank, platinum sponsor; PepsiCo, gold sponsor; Hart Vida Raffo, silver sponsor; Score, SBDC and Westchester Community College, contributing sponsors.
To R.S.V.P. visit www.LatinBusinessToday.com/success. Registration is encouraged as seating is limited. For more information about the forum, call (914) 995-2900. Light refreshments will be served.