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In today’s hyperconnected, competitive workforce, having strong credentials isn’t enough. Whether you’re a young professional starting out or a seasoned leader with years of experience, personal branding has become an essential tool for standing out, building influence, and driving career opportunities.

What Is Personal Branding?
Personal branding is the intentional effort to shape how others perceive you — from your values and expertise to your professional story and personality. It's about de

In 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved from a futuristic concept to a practical tool that enhances workplace productivity across various industries. By automating routine tasks, providing data-driven insights, and facilitating smarter decision-making, AI enables professionals to focus on more strategic and creative aspects of their work.

Automating Routine Tasks
AI excels at handling repetitive and time-consuming tasks, freeing up employees to concentrate on higher-value activities.

Hispanic-owned small businesses are a vital component of Chicago's economic landscape, contributing significantly to the city's diversity and entrepreneurial spirit. As of 2025, these enterprises continue to demonstrate resilience and growth, despite facing unique challenges.

Economic Contributions and Growth
Hispanic-owned businesses in Chicago have shown remarkable growth over the past few years. Between 2017 and 2022, Latino or Hispanic-owned businesses grew in 204 of 227 U.S. metro areas, w

In today’s competitive job market, technical skills and experience are essential — but they’re often not enough. Career growth increasingly depends on access to mentors and sponsors who can offer guidance, open doors, and advocate for you when it matters most.

While both roles are valuable, they serve distinct purposes:

Mentors offer advice, feedback, and perspective to help you navigate challenges and decisions.

Sponsors actively use their influence to create career-advancing opportunities on

In 2025, Hispanic entrepreneurship continues to be one of the fastest-growing forces in the American economy. Hispanic-owned businesses are reshaping industries, generating employment, and driving innovation across the country — but also navigating unique challenges along the way.

The Growth Story
As of 2025, there are over 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S., contributing more than $800 billion to the American economy annually. The number of Latino-owned employer businesses grew by

Negotiating your salary can be intimidating for anyone — but for many Hispanic professionals in the U.S., cultural values around humility, respect for authority, and gratitude for opportunity can create additional barriers to self-advocacy in the workplace. The good news is that with preparation and the right mindset, you can navigate salary conversations confidently and secure the compensation you deserve.

Why This Matters
Latino professionals continue to face significant wage disparities. Acc

When people think of networking, they often picture formal conferences, job fairs, or corporate mixers held in boardrooms. But truthfully, some of the most valuable connections are made during the summer months, when schedules loosen up, moods lighten, and professional events become more relaxed and social.

If you’ve been meaning to grow your circle, summer is the ideal season to make meaningful, strategic connections that can shape your career. Here’s why:

People Are More Social and Open
The w

In 2025, Hispanic entrepreneurs are driving economic growth and redefining the American Dream. With over 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses contributing more than $800 billion to the U.S. economy annually (Source: U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce), entrepreneurship has become one of the most promising avenues for wealth creation and generational financial security within the Hispanic community.

Why Entrepreneurship Matters for Hispanics

Economic Mobility:
Entrepreneurship allows Hispanics to

A decade of research into Latino entrepreneurs paints a picture of an innovative and resilient group of business owners who are a key driver of the U.S. economy.

“Latino entrepreneurs are an important contributor to the growth of the U.S. entrepreneurial ecosystem,” says George Foster, a professor of management at Stanford Graduate School of Business and faculty director of the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative, which has just published the 10th annual State of Latino Entrepreneurship

Latinos are no longer on the sidelines of high-powered industries. Whether in Fortune 500 boardrooms or legislative chambers, they are breaking barriers, shaping policy, and redefining leadership. With cultural values emphasizing resilience, community, and innovation, Latino leaders are carving a path that benefits both their communities and the broader economy. READ MORE AT MARCO LOPEZ

Latinos account for nearly half of Miami’s population — and 27% of local small business owners, according to a report released this week from consulting firm McKinsey. Latinos are creating 36% of new businesses overall in the United States, nearly double their representation in the population, the report says.

That phenomenon has been helped by a rise in Latina-owned businesses. From 2017 to 2021, 31 percent of new Latino businesses were started by Latinas. READ MORE AT MIAMI HERALD

About 7.1% of the nation’s 5,681,118 employer firms (businesses with at least one paid employee) in the United States were Hispanic-owned in 2021 and the construction sector had the largest number of Hispanic-owned businesses, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Hispanic-owned firms generated $572.9 billion in revenue, around 3.3% of the total revenue ($17.4 trillion) generated by all employer businesses in 2021.

California had the largest number of Hispanic-owned firms (88,920), but not the l

Running a growing business is exciting, but it also comes with risks that could disrupt operations or lead to financial losses. Business insurance helps protect companies from unexpected events like accidents, lawsuits, or property damage, allowing them to focus on growth. We’ll explain why business insurance is essential for growing your company and highlight the types of coverage every company should consider. READ MORE AT CORN ON THE JOB

The Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative’s Education Scaling Program offers participants opportunities to expand their companies while supporting each other. Since its founding over a decade ago, SLEI — a research and education collaboration between Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Latino Business Action Network (LBAN) — has conducted groundbreaking research about Latino entrepreneurship in the United States, created educational programs for Latino entrepreneurs, and fostered

Biz2Credit’s 2024 Latino-Owned Business Study found that while revenues of Latino-owned companies increased (+11.6%), expenses rose more (+ 22.7%), resulting in lower earnings in 2023-24 than in 2022-23 (-$41.1K).

The annual study examined the performance of Latino-owned small to midsized companies -- from early stage to established companies -- in the U.S. from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. It examines financial indicators including annual revenue, operating expenses, age of business, and cr

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Latino business ownership is growing at the fastest rate in three decades and is now at the highest level on record. The SBA said America's more than five million Latino-owned businesses employ nearly three million workers and contribute $800 billion to the U.S. economy each year. READ MORE AT NBC8

In the hustle and grind of daily life, it’s easy to overlook small accomplishments. We’re so focused on our ultimate goals, constantly striving for the next big achievement, that we rarely pause to acknowledge the smaller victories along the way. But celebrating small wins is more than just a feel-good moment; it’s a powerful tool that can transform our mindset, build momentum, and make each day more rewarding. READ MORE AT MS. CAREER GIRL

Latino-owned businesses are the fastest-growing segment of small businesses in the U.S., with over 5 million businesses owned by Latino/a entrepreneurs in the country, according to the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative (SLEI). Though Latino business owners have solidified their role as strong contributors to American economic activity, they face a string of unique challenges compared to white, non-Latino business owners. READ MORE AT NBC NEWS

We’ve all been there: trapped in the office with that one colleague who missed the memo on basic manners. The one who turns a good day into an ordeal with just a few cutting words, making your 9 to 5 feel like it might never end. You know exactly who I’m talking about. Sure, it’s tempting to fire back or just ignore them, but there’s a smarter way. READ MORE AT PERSONAL BRANDING BLOG

The HHF has teamed up with IBM to connect members of the Latino community with skills development courses and certifications that can help pave the way toward a career in IT. Creating opportunity is key to fostering diversity in the tech industry — and that’s what IBM is aiming to do in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. READ MORE AT CIO