Compañía in 2020

As the local hub for Latino professionals and entrepreneurs, Compañía had started 2020 with constructive programming and engaging plans for our members that included monthly networking luncheons, after hours meetings, grand opening ceremonies, and professional development sessions to provide our members with tools to support their businesses and careers.

Our business development efforts were highly impacted in March, and we immediately had to shift our focus to Covid-19 response to make sure our clients, members and community members had what they needed to understand and navigate the new challenge 2020 has brought to many of us.

Advocating for our Latino business owners in different Covid-19 response groups, making the information available to our community, transitioning to virtual platforms, and doing the most we could with limited resources were just some steps we took to continue with our mission.

RESOURCES WE HAVE PROVIDED:

• Created a Blog with Resources for

Entrepreneurs • https://www.companiachatt.com/covid-19 • Developed a Covid-19 Booklet in partnership with Hamilton County, Health

Department, and City of Chattanooga.

Reach:10,000 copies, delivered to 60+ businesses • Developed a “Reopening your business”

Double sided laminated flyer. 5,000

Distributed to Latino Owned Business. • Community mask campaign – Videos • Delivered PPE to local Latino businesses.

Distributed 3,000+ Masks and 20 thermometers • Newsletter to 125 direct subscribers & organic reach through FB (prior to COVID-19 monthly, then daily and now weekly)

Vivian Anderson Barrera, PROFESSIONAL MAYA SERVICES

How have you seen these businesses affected?

Latino business owners were particularly affected by the onset of the pandemic, as their businesses are usually smaller and have smaller or no reserves to deal with a severe loss in revenue. Additionally, the initial days of the pandemic saw essential workers having to be on the front lines helping the rest of us who were privileged to be able to work from home. Many were infected with the virus, some suffering debilitating illness, even death. Even so, by late summer, I saw a shift in people’s determination. They began to seek innovative ways to grow their business and seek opportunities brought upon by the new normal. Immigrants are resilient people, and Latinos in Chattanooga are getting the work done!

Have any of your customers closed their busi-

ness? I saw the impact stimulus programs had on businesses locally. Those that could apply and receive small business loans and grants from local and state agencies were better able to weather the initial storm, keep their staff on payroll and avoid layoffs. Unfortunately, I did see many businesses have to close their doors as the aid did not arrive soon enough, if at all. I cannot underscore enough how important it is that local agencies take affirmative steps and action to help the local Latino business sector. We are an integral part of the local economy, but most importantly, we contribute to the richness and diversity that is making Chattanooga a growing region.

How are they thriving to navigate this new

economy? Innovation and grabbing opportunities when they present themselves. For example, a client that owns a cleaning company shifted their services to work with residential homes and not just corporate offices. Restaurants have promoted to go services, while continuing to serve dining in. Again, as immigrants we seek opportunities, and while this year has been difficult, it has also presented new ways of running our businesses and generating revenue.

Dominique K. Brandt,

VICE PRESIDENT COMMUNITY IMPACT UNITED WAY OF GREATER CHATTANOOGA

As we seek to increase diversity in our companies and organizations while providing ever expanding opportunities for our Latinx community, Compania provides a rich network of professionals to support these goals in the Chattanooga area.

Frances Bayly,

ENTERPRISE PLANNING TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY

For the last five years, TVA has successfully partnered with La Paz’s Compania. Together we’ve strengthened understanding among TVA employees about their Latino colleagues’ positive impact on TVA culture. Through Compania, we’ve also learned more about the Latino community, its influence and how we can support each other.

Luis Contreras,

SQUEAKY CLEAN AND THE LOCAL JUICERY

I have enjoyed all the lunch and learn events Compañía offers to their members. I have learned a lot from each educational meeting. I have always felt supported by their team and that gives us confidence in our business. I hope we get through Covid soon and be able to get back to all the fun and learning lunches. Networking is huge at these events. Thank you Compañía!