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Read biographies of feature guests for the 2017 Latina Trailblazers Networking Forum being held tomorrow August 23rd at Michigan Avenue's The Gwen Hotel Chicago! 

Hannah Fernandez, Founder & CEO, ROI Business Funding

Hannah Fernandez is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ROI Business Funding, a Chicago-based company that helps entrepreneurs and small business owners across the US and Canada get access to capital and provides them with technical assistance to become fundable.

She is a gra

Ask anyone about your haircut, and they might shrug and say it looks “fine.” But ask for career advice? You’re likely to get an earful of trite sayings, blanket, sweeping statements and outdated, traditional work tactics that won’t serve you well if you’re trying to advance.

While executive advisors can definitely cater to your specific industry and goals, life coaches offer a varied perspective. Because their purpose is to analyze your whole life — not just your 9-to-5 routine — they offer a m

For the fifth year, Cox Communications is recognizing two Valley Latina entrepreneurs whose leadership and entrepreneurial spirit are perfect examples of the rapid growing women-owned businesses throughout the country.

According to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber Commerce, over the past decade, there has been a nearly 200 percent increase in Latina-owned business, a sign of enormous growth by any measure, especially when compared to the 55 percent increase made by their non-Hispanic female counterpar

For Hispanic students enrolled in Catholic schools, there’s often a sense of gratitude mixed with heightened self-awareness and varying levels of discomfort. Some express concern that their own background is not reflected in their school’s curriculum, such as absence of a discussion of Latino history, and note the lack of diversity in faculty and staff especially at schools that serve Hispanics and other students of color. READ MORE AT THE CRUX

Babel Ventures, a Silicon Valley firm founded by two young immigrant Latina entrepreneurs, just announced $30 million raised to help start-ups. These funds aim to empower entrepreneurs, many who struggle to receive funding, with the needed capitol to continue contributing to our economy through their start-ups.

The firm was founded earlier this year by Bárbara Kunde Minuzzi and Daniela Arruda. Both women have experience in raising big dollar funds from high net worth individuals. In the past, B

Want to become well-spoken? Here are three tips.

1. Make others feel well-heard

We focus too much on what we should say next, formulating witty responses in our heads instead of giving full presence to the person talking. The art of listening is as important as the art of speaking.

When the other person feels truly “heard,” that person will perceive you are caring about what he or she is saying, and this may make you appear more likable and better spoken. READ MORE AT LADDERS

A new report puts a price tag on the Latino population in the United States, and it is over two trillion dollars. This economic power, says the report, would rank as the 7th largest in the world if the Latino GDP (Gross Domestic Product) were its own country.

Headed by University of California, Los Angeles Professor David E. Hayes-Bautista, and Werner Schink, CEO of Latino Futures Research, the report commissioned by the non-partisan group Latino Donor Collaborative estimates the total GDP of t

Jenny was a 24-year-old Air Force pilot who used to work in the accounting section of an interior design organization. One day, she realized another team was going through some difficult times. She kindly offered to help.

Surprisingly, she received this response in an email from her boss: “Number crunchers lack leadership skills.” Seriously?

Jenny, a determined Latina if there ever was one, decided to write to her boss’ boss (let's call him John) explaining how she could help her colleagues. RE

Every career person should have a goal that drives them. If your goal is to hit the summit of your career, here are some tips that can propel you to your desired height.

Do what you love

The usual counsel is that you love what you do. But that is getting out of fashion. These days, you have to do what you love. If you love what you do, that is forced love and it never lasts. What lasts the distance is you doing what you love. Such love is innate and has the backing of inner energy.

If you see w

Despite the fact that Hispanics currently make up over one-sixth of the population of the United States and hold considerable purchasing power - over $1.5 trillion per year - the entire Hispanic market remains underserved by most brands. As important as it is to market to this cohort, it's going to become increasingly more important for brands looking to survive and thrive. Consider the following: More than 40% of US Hispanics are Millennial, and Hispanics account for more than 25% of the popul

While Hispanics have median household income that’s about 20% lower than the overall median average, their sheer size means that they’re approaching $1 trillion in aggregate household income this year. That’s according to a new report from Geoscape, which looks at multicultural trends in the US.

The median household income for Hispanics this year is estimated to be close to $45k, below the $57k average. (More household income stats here.) Almost one-fifth (19%) of the US population identifies a

While it's always fun to see what's new each fashion season, it's important to put some thought into each new purchase you make to avoid wasting money buying things you won't wear. That's particularly true this year, with the everyone's budgets so tight.

So how can you look good AND save money? By taking stock of your closet and making a thorough assessment. Make your existing wardrobe work for you as much as possible BEFORE adding to your collection.

Here's your best game plan for fall 2017:

1. St

It takes a certain kind of person enjoys networking — and I mean that in the best way. Being good at it requires lacking enough self-consciousness to get out there and talk to people, but having enough self-awareness to make the experience a positive one for the other party as well. You don't want the interaction to feel transactional, but you don't want to waste your time, or someone else's, either. READ MORE AT REFINERY 29

Is your career not going the way you’d expected? Maybe you were hoping for a promotion, but didn’t receive it. Or maybe you’ve been going on interviews to land that higher-level dream job, but it’s just not happening.

Instead of getting frustrated, now is the time to get analytical and strategic. READ MORE AT FORBES

The annual growth rate of the U.S. Hispanic population remained flat between 2016 and 2017, but Hispanics continue to account for more of the nation’s overall population growth than any other race or ethnicity, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of preliminary population estimates from the Census Bureau. READ MORE AT PEW RESEARCH CENTER

Startups are brave. Startups also need a lot of support in varying forms. Most are looking for both investment funding as well as skilled individuals to assist them. There is no better place for a startup company than a conference or networking event. These events provide startups with the opportunity to meet those people who can offer them indispensable advice, opportunities and insight.
Connect with the best so you can learn

Smart startups know that the ideal way to learn what they need to kn

The effort to ensure increased recruitment and retention of Latino federal employees has largely stalled since the Clinton administration, and leaders of Latino federal workers said Tuesday that President Donald Trump should revive and fund the effort through executive order.

President Bill Clinton signed executive order 13171 in 2000 that sought to influence federal agency directors to use their discretionary funding to make Hispanic employment a priority. READ MORE AT FEDERAL TIMES

Latinos, the largest minority in the nation, and the largest racial or ethnic group in California and Los Angeles, are virtually disappearing from the big screen, a new report on Hollywood diversity shows.

The film and television business, which is in the midst of taking more than $1.5 billion in credits from California taxpayers, has essentially made no progress in major-film casting of people of color since 2007, USC's annual "Inequality in 900 Popular Films" report found. This despite being

You’re unusually lucky if you know exactly what you want to do in life — or feel like your current job is perfect for you. Most people need a little guidance to hit their sweet spot, whether the question is how to translate a new degree into a great position, how to quit a job and start over; how to change roles or get promoted; or whether and when to go back to school for a graduate degree.

If you’re in need of help, you’re not alone. READ MORE AT FORBES