Rosa Navejar on Hispanic Chamber and ESL in Business Community

Summary

This transcript highlights the impactful leadership of a former president of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, who was the first Latina to lead the organization. She shares her efforts to empower Hispanic entrepreneurs through bilingual business programs, ESL courses focused on business English, and leadership development for the next generation. By helping businesses navigate the challenges of operating in the U.S., including understanding contracts and financial literacy, she facilitated growth for many, including one entrepreneur who grew his business to 80 employees after learning English. Her work continues to support the Hispanic community in Fort Worth through educational initiatives.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker was the first female Latina to lead the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a significant milestone in 2001.
• 😀 The speaker initially felt nervous about the transition from banking to running the Chamber, but later realized how much they enjoyed the role.
• 😀 The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce worked to raise the bar for economic development, including creating leadership courses for the next generation of Latino leaders.
• 😀 The Chamber offered bilingual programs to help business owners, including both American-born and immigrant entrepreneurs, navigate business practices in the U.S.
• 😀 The Chamber also secured a $380,000 grant from the Department of Labor to create business-focused English as a Second Language (ESL) courses for entrepreneurs.
• 😀 The focus of the ESL program was not just on basic communication, but on teaching entrepreneurs how to understand contracts, negotiate, and manage their businesses effectively.
• 😀 The Fort Worth area is seeing a growing number of Hispanic business owners, many of whom are learning English to better manage contracts and grow their businesses.
• 😀 One business owner, who had been paying exorbitant fees for bookkeeping, was able to learn basic accounting through the Chamber's programs and eventually expanded his business to 80 employees.
• 😀 The speaker shared a story of a man who learned English and saw significant improvements in his business, including landing contracts and earning over $750,000 in one year.
• 😀 The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber continues to offer classes, including bilingual financial literacy and first-time homebuyer education, in partnership with local institutions like Tarrant County College.

Q & A

What was the significance of the speaker becoming president of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2001?

The speaker was the first female Latina to lead the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and also the first Latina to become president of any Chamber of Commerce in Fort Worth. This was a historic achievement and a major milestone in the speaker's career.

How did the speaker feel about their move from banking to the Chamber of Commerce?

Initially, the speaker was nervous about the transition from banking to leading the Chamber of Commerce. However, after two to three years, they realized it was a fulfilling and rewarding role, allowing them to make a significant impact in the community.

What were some of the initiatives the speaker implemented at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce?

The speaker implemented several initiatives, including creating a leadership course for the next generation, offering bilingual programs for business owners, and securing a grant from the Department of Labor to provide ESL courses focused on business English rather than general language skills.

How did the speaker’s programs help Hispanic business owners?

The programs helped Hispanic business owners by providing them with the tools to understand how to navigate business in the U.S. The Chamber offered bilingual support, business English courses, and financial literacy programs to ensure entrepreneurs could read contracts, negotiate, and run their businesses effectively.

What was the impact of the bilingual business English program funded by the Department of Labor?

The program focused on teaching business English to entrepreneurs, emphasizing the ability to understand contracts, negotiate, and handle business transactions. This was important because it enabled business owners to avoid being taken advantage of due to language barriers.

Can you provide an example of a business that benefited from these programs?

One example was a gentleman who was paying $2,000 a month for bookkeeping services. After the Chamber helped him learn how to use bilingual accounting software and connect with a CPA for tax verification, his business grew to employ 80 individuals who lay tile, with 12 people in the office.

What was the significance of the session where business owners discussed the importance of learning English?

In a session, one business owner shared that learning English helped him secure contracts and get calls back for work. By understanding English, he was able to improve his business and, within a year, made over $750,000. This story served as a testament to the importance of learning English for success in the U.S. business environment.

What kind of classes does the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce offer to support business owners?

The Chamber offers a variety of classes, including financial literacy, business development, and how to work with local government. They also provide courses on essential business practices, like setting up a corporate structure, understanding tax returns, and obtaining an assumed name certificate.

How has the partnership with Tarrant County College helped the Hispanic Chamber’s programs?

The partnership with Tarrant County College has helped the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to further promote and expand its educational offerings, particularly those aimed at supporting local Hispanic entrepreneurs in Fort Worth.

What was the initial focus of the Chamber’s educational programs when the speaker started?

Initially, the Chamber focused on offering bilingual financial literacy courses, including first-time homebuyer education. The speaker, coming from a banking background, recognized the importance of financial education and business development for Hispanic entrepreneurs.