SHCCNJ Technical Education Programs 2023
Annual Report O c t o b e r
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Partnership Programs
Our Mission Our mission at the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey's technical education programs is to provide bilingual business education and mentorship services at no cost to participating business owners. With over 120,000 Hispanic-owned businesses contributing an aggregated $90 billion to the economy each year, we aim to empower these small business owners with the skill set necessary to succeed.
HETP's Pillars 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:
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Access to knowledge and tools
Access tonetworks
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Access to capital and credit
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Access to new markets and opportunities
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Ultimately, HETP seeks to provide Hispanic-owned businesses the resources they need to become viable assets in the communities that they serve.
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Government Sponsors
Sponsors & Partners
Exclusive Sponsor
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HETP Program structure:
The 2023 HETP program, now in its ninth year, runs between January and May 2023, and it consists of 14 classroom sessions, with two of them happening in person (one class and their graduation). Sixty entrepreneurs participated in the program, with over 12
grow. Despite the challenges of continuing in
counties represented, including 12 from
this post-COVID-19 world, our goal is to
Bergen County, 13 from Hudson County, 12
continue to offer all small businesses access
from Essex County, 4 from Union County, and
to all resources so that they can succeed. We
4 from Passaic County, to name a few. Lastly,
have had less engagement in this hybrid
industries represented include construction,
setting, which takes place in an online rather
education,
restaurants,
than an in-person environment, but we
maintenance, financial services, cleaning,
successfully maintained engagement and
health & wellness, technology, and travel &
participation levels, which resulted in a 90%
leisure.
graduation
manufacturing,
rate
while
allowing
small
businesses to keep their doors open during Classroom sessions were combined with
class time.
class instruction, including guest speakers, panels, workshops, and community-building
In addition to adjusting to a new online
exercises. Halfway through the program, in
platform, we improved the content of the
March 2023, each business owner went
program to address the immediate needs of
through a detailed individual assessment to
business owners over the past couple of
identify their main hurdles and areas of focus
years. Our team surveyed HETP participants
for expansion and growth. Based on those
to
specific needs, the students were paired up
challenges
post-COVID-19.
with a group of subject-matter expert
curriculum
included
coaches who provided individual guidance
networking virtually using LinkedIn, business
between May and July 2023.
plan and business canvas, access to capital,
understand
their
new topics
needs
and
The
HETP
such
as
cybersecurity, operations, financing, legal, All of the students developed a deeper
and marketing topics.
understanding of their businesses from the assessment and developed tailored coaching plans that focused on their personal and professional growth to help their businesses
Grant term: January 30th through September 30th, 2023
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Grant term: January 30th through September 30th, 2023
2023 Graduating Class Statistics: Applications reached 200
The cohort was made up of 60 students.
In all, 50 businesses graduated in 2023.
Other relevant statistics: Graduates represented 14 different countries.
75% were foreign-born.
12 NJ counties were represented.
+40 hours of classroom instruction.
One student was from NY.
+40 workshops delivered.
73% were female, 26% male.
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Participant Demographics by gender
27% Male, NJ
73% Female, NJ
Class composition by state and county: Requests
11 Bergen, NJ Requests
6
Passaic, NJ
Requests
13
Essex, NJ Requests
4
Union, NJ
Requests
8
Hudson, NJ
Requests
8
Middlesex, NJ
Requests
4
Monmouth, NJ
Requests
5
Sommerset, NJ
Requests
1
Morris, NJ
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Coaching Request by type Coaching type
Request
14,4%
Accounting
32
Business plan
41
Financial projections
2
Marketing strategy
72
Other (Human resources)
6
Other (Legal)
18
Other (Prospecting and sales)
2
0,9%
Other (Prospecting)
2
0,9%
Other (Sales)
14
Proposal Writing
2
0,9%
1
0,5%
Website/SEO
30
Total
222
18,5% 0,9% 32,4% 2,7% 8,1%
6,3%
13,5%
SHCCNJ Coaches
Dr. Jairo Borja
Reina Valenzuela
Tatiana Orozco
SHCCNJ VICE PRESIDENT OF CORPORATE
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
& ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMS
STARFISH GLOBAL
TOrozco Digital
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HETP pictures in-person class: All graduates received a complimentary membership to the chamber and exhibitor tables at our events.
Pitch Competition 2023
Graduation 2023
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The Latina Entrepreneurship Training Series (LETS)
Exclusive Sponsor
LETS Is an eight-week program powered by Wells Fargo that provides women-owned small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs with no-cost business counseling and training. This comprehensive curriculum covers business planning, HR, finances, and accounting as well as marketing, legal, and other services such as the management of customer relationships. LETS offers a culturally and linguistically informed approach to business education and mentorship.
Business demographics by county - LETS 2023
Middlesex: 10.2%
Websites and Social Media: 2.0%
Manhattan: (NY) 2.0%
Accounting and Taxes: 6.1%
Hudson: 18.4 %
Business Consulting: 6.1%
Essex: 12.2%
Consumer Goods: 8.2%
Cumberland: 2.0%
Education: 6.1%
Camden: 2.0%
Event Planning: 10.2%
Bergen: 12.2%
Financial Services: 6.1%
Union: 10.2%
Health and Wellness: 10.2%
Somerset: 6.1%
Manufacturing: 2.0%
Queens NY: 4.1%
Marketing: 6.1%
Passaic: 12.2%
Other: 10.2%
Ocean: 2.0%
Restaurant and food: 14.3%
Morris: 4.1%
Services: 8.2%
Graduation 2023
Travel and Leisure: 4.1% Travel and Leisure: 4.1%
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Partnership Programs restaurant education and create a network of information
for
those
selected.
The
eight-week program was designed to help the participants adapt, grow, and thrive within the communities they serve. We are pleased to announce that two of the participants were chamber members who received a $10,000 grant. The grant was awarded
to
specific
restaurants
that
participated in the New Jersey/New York areas.
DoorDash Accelerator We have partnered with DoorDash to promote
and
share
resources
for
the
Accelerator Program for Local Restaurants. The program aims to provide access to
PSEG In June and July of 2023, we collaborated with PSEG and NJSBDC to develop a two-part masterclass. The masterclass aimed to
assist
businesses
in
obtaining
certifications by providing education and step-by-step
guidance
throughout
the
certification process. In the first part of the presentation, we discussed the various types of certifications available at both state and federal levels and the different organizations that provide certificates throughout the
approach to helping businesses obtain
country. The second part of the class focused
certification
on
for
provided a comprehensive overview of all the
certification in New Jersey and the NJSDC's
certifications available in New Jersey, which
approach to certification, which involves
included
establishing
veteran-owned,
the
documentation
representatives
educational who
offer
required
hubs a
with
hands-on
in
small
the
state.
business
Rafael
Mata
enterprises,
woman-owned,
minority-owned, and LGBTQ+ certifications.
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Columbia Bank The Financial Series was a two-part event that covered various topics. The first session focused on access to capital, general information about credit, and the significance
of
establishing
and
comprehending
differentiation
as
business owners. The second session was presented by Ariel Coss and centered on fundamental accounting concepts, the importance of keeping balanced books, and how small businesses can ensure their finances have a positive impact. These classes enabled small businesses to enhance their understanding and capacities to obtain capital and other financial resources.
St. Peter's The Lunch and Learn event comprised two Masterclasses on mental health and business. Dr. Anna Flores Locke presented the first class and gave business owners tips on prioritizing their mental health and avoiding burnout.
The
second
class
was
presented by Dr. Enmanuel Mercedes and focused on mental health and time management, giving business owners tips on managing their time and mental health to grow their businesses
while
taking
care
of
themselves.
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Small Business Bonding Readiness Program Spring/Fall Cohort 2023
We are thrilled to announce that this year, we are continuing our partnership with the NJEDA to provide the Small Business Bonding Readiness Program. This 7-week virtual course led by subject-matter experts aims to help small business owners improve their business practices in various areas, such as accounting, financial presentations, operations efficiency, marketing, surety bonding capacity, construction and contract law, certification, and financing. As part of this program, students can access an online portal with additional modules to supplement their classes and apply what they have learned to their everyday business.
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Case Studies Progist: Empowering digital transformation through IT solutions
Betty A. Grullon PRESIDENT / CO FOUNDER PROGSIT.COM
Betty Grullon co-founded Progsit LLC and APC Scientific Consultants & Associates LLC. With over 18 years of experience, she is a Senior Software Developer who provides software lifecycle support for government contracting. Betty's adept problem-solving and leadership skills ensure projects are completed efficiently.
The program has significantly contributed to
focused on B2G marketing, reviewing how
Betty's
NJSTART works, and GSA requirements.
growth
through
training
and
individual coaching sessions. She used this opportunity to develop a strategic expansion
Betty also worked with CPA Joshua Zorrilla to
plan for her businesses. The program's
review financial strategies to prepare her
individual coaching helped her in various
businesses for growth. This process helped
areas, including legal assistance, MWBE
Betty learn the significance of monthly
certifications, and financial planning.
financial planning reviews in uncovering
With the guidance of Attorney Rosemary
estimates.
actual profits by evaluating plan vs. actual Moyeno-Matos, Betty developed a new operating agreement for Progsit and APC Scientific Consultants & Associates. Head Coach Reina Valenzuela helped Betty prepare and file MWBE certifications. This helped Betty to leverage the bidding process for governmental organizations, with sessions
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Case Studies Bridging distances, enriching lives: Sociavi paves the way for meaningful connections for elder adults.
Paula Muller FOUNDER
Paula Muller holds a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering and is the founder of Sociavi. Her strong background in healthcare technology and extensive engineering and management experience led her to create Sociavi's platform and device. These are patented technologies designed to bring older adults and their families closer through innovative technological solutions. Paula's participation in HETP provided her with the necessary assistance and tools to address challenges along the way. During the program, she received coaching in technology, marketing, and business strategies, which empowered her to execute key elements on her own, build a stronger team, and deploy product upgrades.
She received a $50,000 small business loan
The coaching sessions provided concrete and
from NJEDA, which was used to significantly
direct strategies that were empowering. The
improve the Sociavi website and products.
atmosphere at HETP was one of continuous
Reina
support,
Valenzuela
further
assisted
with
encouragement, enabling
solidarity,
and
participants
to
restructuring the business model to be more
collaboration,
compatible with Sociavi and its target
generate valuable connections.
market. Oscar Moreno advised regarding updates to the user-facing website to improve navigation and user engagement. Paula was also provided guidance and recommendations for developing a new B2B website.
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WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP For any questions, please contact: Carlos Medina, President and CEO e-mail: medinac@robinsonaerial.com Dr. Jairo Borja, Vice President, Corporate & Entrepreneurial Programs e-mail: jborja@shccnj.org
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