Aug. 28, 2023 — Join small business owners and entrepreneurs who will celebrate the contributions from Hispanic and Latino Americans during Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins Sept. 15.
Chicanos, Latino, Latinx and Hispanics represent the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S. According to SCORE, there are more than 4.6 million Hispanic and Latino-owned businesses in the U.S.
Latinos own nearly half of the businesses and over 90 percent of Latina-owned firms are sole proprietorships, says Main Street Launch, a Bay area-based nonprofit organization that empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners.
“We need to celebrate these business success stories that collectively add more than $700 billion in sales to the U.S. economy each year,” writes Morgan Kinney in a blog for SCORE.
Here are five ways your small business could recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through Oct. 15.
Partner With Hispanic and Latinx Entrepreneurs
If you haven’t done so already, start connecting with more Latinx and Hispanic business owners in your community.
Make a conscious effort to identify partnership opportunities for promotions or events with these entrepreneurs.
Also, find ways – particularly if you hold a civic leadership role in your town or city – to include more Hispanic business owners in your professional networks, suggests Kinney, editorial content manager at Hello Alice, in the SCORE blog.
“Establish goals to invest in diverse founders. Advocate for government programs and tax incentives to help small business owners thrive,” he adds.
Shine A Spotlight Into Hispanic Cultures, Families
If you’re a Latinx or Hispanic business owner, consider hosting a Hispanic Heritage Month event that spotlights your business and culture.
Make it an online event or a small meet-and-greet where you encourage people to introduce themselves and tell stories about how they keep family traditions alive, suggests Cedric Jackson in a blog for L.A.-based Camino Financial.
The online finance company offers business loans and solutions to help small businesses and low and moderate-income communities grow, focusing on the business needs of Hispanic business owners, according to the company’s website.
Offer specials on Latinx drinks and other inspired items
Create special discounts for customers who order a special Hispanic Heritage Month drink at your physical location or through a delivery app.
Offer Hispanic-inspired drinks and cocktails such as margaritas, mojitos, palomas, micheladas, etc.
Add Hispanic-inspired Decor
Place a flag or flags in the window of your physical storefront or use one on your social media business profile to draw attention from Hispanic customers.
Identify and hang flags from countries in Latin America that are representative of your local community or clientele.
Help Grow Hispanic Businesses and Communities
According to the Aspen Institute, Hispanic and Latino business owners outperform their peers despite limited access to banking, professional networks, and certain educational opportunities.
Make Hispanic Heritage Month when you learn more about funding and other entrepreneurial assistance programs aimed at Hispanic and Latinx business owners.
Hello Alice launched a Hispanic Business Resource Center as a centralized hub for how-to business guides, resources curated for Hispanic business owners. The site is available in both English and Spanish.
The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) also has an up-to-date list of small business resources.
