Serving the Community
Small Business, Big Impact
By Nicole Quiroga
President & CEO,
Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
My friends, first let me send wishes of health,
wellness and peace to all of you.
As the voice of Hispanic businesses in the nation’s capital, the Greater
Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce supports the economic
development of our members through networking, education,
access to opportunities and advocacy.
At the beginning of the pandemic, the GWHCC converted to an online
platform…moving our workshops, counseling sessions, and technical
assistance programs to a virtual space. As our small businesses scrambled
to find sources of relief funding, we also became a small business hotline,
answering calls and providing culturally-sensitive information to all those in
need.
Today we continue to walk alongside our businesses, spending time
talking to community leaders, policymakers and others who can frame the
way funding is distributed moving forward. The reality is that without Latino
small businesses, our region and our nation will be hard-pressed to reach the
level of economic prosperity we were enjoying at the top of 2020.
To prove this point, and in partnership with American University’s
Center on Latino and Latin American Studies, the GWHCC released a study
earlier this year focused on the impact of Covid-19 on the Hispanic-owned
businesses that call the Washington Metro region home. Some key findings:
- Nearly 1 million Latinos live in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan region.
- There are just under 70,000 Latino-owned businesses in our area which
represent 12 percent of the overall regional economy.
- Sixty-six percent of local consumers doing business with Latino
businesses are Non-Latinos, further emphasizing the critical importance of
Latino small businesses to our region’s general recovery.
The survey results simply emphasized what we all already know: Latino
businesses have been, and will continue to be, an ever-growing part of our
regional and national economic well-being.
Because of this, our Chamber will remain steadfast in its service to small
businesses. We will continue to be advisors to our members by helping them
develop innovative business plans, access opportunities, access loans and
build valuable relationships with other vendors, sponsors, and government
officials. We are committed to lifting our businesses up and providing them
with as many resources as possible to thrive.
I must say, it is an honor to do the work we do. I am so very proud to
witness, on a daily basis, the unbelievable strength of our members. If ever
there has been a time where we as Latinos have been given a chance to
show the world what we are made of, it is now.
Yes, our businesses were (still are) vulnerable. Yes, relief funding was
limited. Yes, we were hit harder than any other group. And yet the courage,
spirit and unwavering kindness I witness from our members is astounding. It
makes my heart swell, and I’ll admit, my eyes misty…I am constantly
reminded of the reasons why we are survivors.
Truth be told, an entrepreneur’s struggles manifest on a daily basis with
or without a pandemic. This year has just forced us to experience and learn
from what will possibly be the hardest, most arduous time for all of us. It has
been a masterclass in survival. And, because we are the strong-minded,
tenacious Latinos we are, it is clear that when we do survive this moment in
time, we will arise evolved, solid, humble, agile, tougher and whole. You will
see…
And the GWHCC will remain right there beside you.
¡Punto Final!
Nicole Quiroga, a native of Washington D.C., is the
President and CEO of the Greater Washington Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce and former General Manager of
Telemundo WZDC-25, Washington D.C. and Telemundo
WZTD-45, Richmond, VA. In her role, she promotes the
economic growth, development and interest of the
Hispanic business community. Her expertise to predict
market trends, set budgets and performance expectations
plays a vital role in fostering the continued success of
GWHCC members, partners and sponsors.
Want to comment or have any questions on this article?
Email us at info@latinastyle.com
48 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle V ol. 26, No. 5, 2020
/www.latinastyle.com
link
