2022 HETP Annual Report

2022 HISPANIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM (HETP)

HETP GOALS:

Our goal is to provide access, opportunity and meaningful mentorship/coaching AT NO COST to empower these small business owners with the required skill set necessary to become successful:

OUR MISSION:

The Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCCNJ) HETP’s mission is to provide relevant, bilingual business education and mentorship services at no cost to participating business owners.

Ultimately, HETP seeks to provide Hispanic-owned businesses the resources to become viable assets in the communities that they serve.

Whether refining already-launched ideas into sustainable business platforms, assisting existing small businesses with tangible scaling strategies and access to funding opportunities, or providing narratives with real-world application, New Jersey’s over 120,000 Hispanic-owned businesses, who contribute an aggregated $20 billion to the economy each year, need an appropriate support system to flourish.

MISSION

The Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCCNJ) HETP's mission is to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate business education and mentorship services for free to Hispanic small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

HISTORY OF HETP

HETP was founded in 2014 to develop ideas into sustainable business platforms, assist existing small businesses with tangible scaling strategies, and provide narratives with real-world application.

GOVERNMENT SPONSORS & PARTNERS

In December of 2021, we partnered with PSEG for a Clean Energy Job Readiness Program. The program had three parts, the first part was a brief overview on the clean energy sector, resources for professionals, websites of where to apply for clean energy employment opportunities. The second part was an overview of best practices for resumes, cover letters and, thank you letters. The third and final installment was one-on-one coaching on feedback for resumes and, LinkedIn profiles. We coached 10 working professionals with 30-minute sessions for feedback on resumes and, LinkedIn profiles.

In May/June of 2022, we partnered with Starfish Global and created a series of certification classes catering to the educational process for business to have access to step-by-step access to getting certified in NJ. The classes were broken down into 3 sections. The first one presented was an introduction to certification the types of certifications that are available state and federal wise alongside the different organization that provide certifications throughout the country. The second class focused on getting certified in New Jersey, this provided a step-by-step breakdown of the certification that New Jersey has to offer from Small Business Enterprise, Veteran-Owned, Woman-Owned or Minority-Owned Business. The last class was putting all the knowledge provided into the creation of capability statements for small business. This class was to provide the resources, as well as a canvas for the business to follow for a capability statement. It allowed them to know what information needs to be included and what to leave out and not only they walked away with a sample they also had the opportunity to get feedback from Reina Valenzuela who facilitated the classes.

The Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey collaborates with the United States Business Association of E-commerce. As part of the agreement, HETP/LETS participants are provided with a complimentary access to the e-commerce platform. The United States Business Associate of E-commerce agreement includes a microsite for each business, including business listing, online catalog, blog, CRM, coupons, and access to sell by using an app.

The United States Business Association of E-commerce also promotes your business on different online marketplaces. It uses a multichannel commerce platform that helps all business owners or members of the ecosystem. Fifteen businesses are signed up and using the platform. Below are screenshots highlighting the United States Business Association of E-commerce platform.

SUCCESS STORIES

35% of all surveyed hired new personnel, whether part-time, full time or contractors.

To note, not one business among the 50 participants that graduated has closed or gone bankrupt.

Other success stories include new products and services, a shift in business model operations, and targeting new market segments. Below please note a few of our most recent success stories:

Quentin Jordan - All Day Fitness, LLC

Updated his prices and increased his

John

Yovanny Jimenez - Chicholitos LLC

Completed all company registrations and the Shopify site is ready.

Barbara

Bladimir

Bryant - I Say Yes Salon & Spa, LLC

Acquired another salon suite and opened a beauty supply retail store.

Gaviria - Obra Xpress, LLC. Found two major clients and signed corresponding contracts.

Dr. Anna Locke - Charlandra Consulting & Counseling Award the 2022 Most Promising Textbook Award by the Textbook and Academic Authors Association.

Quito – Qinti Doocum created a partnership and hired Tatiana Vivas –Sava Group LLC for live simultaneous translation

Bladimir Quito, the founder of Qinti Docum LLC, is an Ecuadorian who emigrated to the United States at 18 years old. He had the opportunity to complete several university studies that have allowed him to develop a career in the public sector and private institutions in Ecuador and international organizations. He held the position of Vice Consul of Ecuador in New Jersey. His eagerness to give the best of himself to his community led him to leadership positions at various organizations. The HETP program helped with overall business management training, and the coaching sessions empowered Bladimir to grow and expand his business as well as establish different connections with institutions all over the state. The result of the assistance provided through HETP and Bladimir’s commitment highlight by him establishing an office at the Bergen Community College, improving services and facilitating institutional agreement between Bronx Community College and the Ecuadorean Instituto Universitario Rumiñahui. The creation of new consulting services to facilitate Inter-institutional agreements to strengthen international education, academic exchange, and research, and having a growth projected to increase 70% in 2022

CLOUDLABS STEM IS DEVELOPING COMPETENCIES TODAY FOR THE PROFESSIONALS OF THE FUTURE

CloudLabs' virtual STEM labs simulate real-life situations that require a simple solution using knowledge of physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, robotics, agriculture, biotechnology, electronics, and electricity, among others. Gamification was incorporated to keep students engaged in the process and change their mindset toward sciences. Jiovany chose New Jersey due to its diversity and strategic geographic position. However, the stigma attached to Latin products and talent made him wonder if he would be able to achieve his goals. Looking for the right path, Jiovany connected with Luis de la Hoz, SHCCNJ Chairman, who encouraged him to participate in the Chamber's programs. In 2022, he accessed the Hispanic Entrepreneurship Training Program (HETP); he attended business training sessions and received counseling on legal, accounting, business planning, digital marketing, and team building. Jiovany participated in the HETP 2022 training program, where he began to develop a roadmap and direction for the future of CloudLabs in the United States. He learned how to start and operate a company in New Jersey. He also joined the SHCCNJ's Certifications Masterclass to prepare his company to do business with government entities. Not only that CloudLabs made a contract with their first school in NJ, secure upcoming trade expos and conventions in the educational space and started pilot programs in three additional schools.

FACILITATES THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF EDUCATION THROUGH THE EXCHANGE OF STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND RESEARCH PROJECTS