8 Essential Websites and Resources for Hispanic Small Businesses

National Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week-long celebration in 1968 and the start day–September 15–was chosen because five Hispanic countries declared independence on that date: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

Certainly, independence is something Hispanic small business owners know well. Forging their own way, creating a business from nothing, and then growing those businesses into economic engines of prosperity is what Hispanic entrepreneurs have done and continue to do.

Despite that independence, like all entrepreneurs, Hispanic small-business owners need help too. The good news is that there is plenty of it available. Here are eight of our favorite resources and websites sure to make the life and business of Hispanic small business owners easier, more profitable, and better.

1. The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: Chambers of commerce can seem like a bit of an anachronism in this online, interconnected, Zooming world, but that is exactly what makes them so valuable. A hands-on, analog organization that fosters connection, especially in this digital world, serves an important function.

The USHCC “represents more than 4.37 million Hispanic-owned businesses through its network of 200 local chambers of commerce.” The USHCC not only promotes the economic growth and the development of Hispanic-owned businesses, but also advocates for Hispanic-related corporations.

There are plenty of connections to be made here, and a lot more to find, learn, watch, read, and do.

2. The Hispanic Association of Small Businesses offers Hispanic and other minority business owners (and aspiring business owners) a variety of services, including

• Business workshops
• Multicultural business promotion events
• Health and safety classes
• Computer workshops
• Marketing help
• Remedial English developmental workshops

3. The National Hispanic Business Group: Why NHBG? “To successfully establish and maintain a business, Hispanic entrepreneurs must begin with a high-quality product or service. But in the end, a solid consumer base, a cooperative local government, and a strong network of business owners may determine success or failure. The NHBG works on multiple fronts to ensure the success of its members.”

4. Centro Community Partners is a non-profit whose mission is to help build “thriving communities” by assisting underserved, low-income entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs with small business education, mentoring, and access to capital.

5. The EY Entrepreneurs Access Network: EY is an amazing entity. Once one of the Big 6 accounting firms, when it was known as Ernst & Young, it has since morphed into a behemoth of a corporate consulting firm that, while still focusing on accounting, places a special emphasis on entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship.

EY notes that minority-owned businesses have created almost five million jobs and have $700 billion in annual revenue. That said, “many Black and Latino businesses do not reach their full potential due to coaching, connections, curriculum and capital barriers. EY Entrepreneurs Access Network (EAN) helps Black-and Latino-owned companies address the disparity gap for greater growth.”

This is definitely a great resource for growing Hispanic companies.

6. The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA): This is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Via a network of business centers throughout the country, the Minority Business Development Agency helps Hispanic business owners with the always-important access to capital, along with contacts, contracts, grant competitions, and opportunities to enter new markets. 

7. The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC): Similar to the MBDA above, the NMSDC connects certified minority business owners to corporations in order to foster economic growth and supplier diversity. 

The contracts that a Hispanic or other minority supplier can get via this agency are significant, but you have to be a certified supplier to become part of the corporate supply chain. You can apply for NMSDC certification through one of its regional councils. 

8. Grants.gov: Part of the Office of Management and Budget, Grants.gov offers very valuable information on more than 1,000 federal grant programs available to Hispanic and other business owners. 

So yes, while entrepreneurship and independence are indeed great, what is better is when there are people and organizations out there, ready to help you live the dream.