LATINA Style Continues the 25th Anniversary Tour of the LATINA Style Business Series at Stanford University

Photography by Joel Danielson, Emberexi Images

The LATINA Style Business Series in San Francisco was hosted at the beautiful Stanford Faculty Club at Stanford University. Throughout the day, attendees heard from impactful speakers, connected with each other, and were able to visit the exhibitor market that featured key organizations that support entrepreneurs.

The award-winning conference focused on creating a solid business foundation that allows Latinas to start their own business or take it to the next level continued its 25th Anniversary tour on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at the Stanford Faculty Club at Stanford University. The program brought key resources for entrepreneurs and a room full of Latina entrepreneurs from San Francisco to San Jose.

“We were inspired by the stories of incredible Latina entrepreneurs we met at the LATINA Style Business Series event in the San Francisco Bay Area,” stated Ryan Ramirez, Head of Partnerships for Walmart Business. “We were honored to sponsor the event to help shine a light on what it takes for entrepreneurs to succeed and grow their business.”

Mistress of Ceremony Alicia Gonzalez, CEO of Adelante Media and contributing Writer for Insider, Business Insider, and CEOWORLD Magazine welcomed everyone to the event. Presenting sponsor’s remarks were given by Lory Burgos, Senior Consultant, Enterprise Diverse Marketing at Nationwide. Lesley Osorio, Walmart Omni Merchant from Walmart Inc. gave remarks on behalf of Walmart Business, the city sponsor of the event. Additional sponsor remarks were given by Elena Rios, Vice President, Senior Lead Product Manager for Small Business Card & Merchant Services Division, Wells Fargo, and Marisabel Torres, California Regional Director, Community Engagement, JPMorgan Chase.

In partnership with the Latino Business Action Network (LBAN), the first session, The State of Latino Entrepreneurship, was presented by Arturo Cázares, CEO of LBAN, who shared key findings and data from LBAN’s State of Latino Entrepreneurship – 2022 Research Report.

The second session, Leveraging your Network & Community Resources, was moderated by Ryan Ramirez, Head of Partnerships, Walmart Business. Speakers included Carlos Reza, Instructor and business Advisor for Prosperity Lab, Martha Gil, Client Success Manager, the Renaissance Women’s Business Center, Chris Horton, San Francisco District Director, SBA, and Griselda Quezada-Chavez, President of NAWBO Silicon Valley.

The third session, Master Plan to Access Capital & Your Small Business Finances, was moderated by Anna Dapelo-Garcia, Founder and president, Lean in Latinas. Speakers included Anthony Gonzalez, VP, Sr. Commercial Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo; Sandra Felegy, SVP, California Director, Small Business Banking for Comerica, and Alexa Lam, Senior Stakeholder Liaison, the IRS.

The fourth session, Entrepreneurs Spotlight: The Paths to Success, was moderated by Gabriela Chavez-Lopez, Executive Director, the Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley. Speakers included Nancy Rosales, Founder, Pepito’s Paletas; Paola Santana, Founder & CEO, GLASS; Marissa Zamora, President & CEO, Tulum Systems, and Martha Hernández, Founder & CEO, madeBos, and Co-Founder & Partner, ESO Ventures, Inc.

After lunch, Laura Lucas, General Partner, L’ATTITUDE Ventures, shared her expertise and experience in scaling businesses during her keynote presentation.

During the Closing Awards presentation, LATINA Style recognized Brooke Jenkins, San Francisco District Attorney as the 2023 Trailblazer Award. Frank Carbajal, Founder and President of Es Tiempo, LLC and Founder of the Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Summit was also given the 2023 Community Award. The final winner selected as the Entrepreneur of the Year was Martha Hernández, Founder & CEO, madeBos & ESO Ventures, Inc. Isaias Diaz, Sr. Underwriting Consultant, Nationwide, presented the title closing remarks.

Additionally, LATINA Style highlighted and recognized Latina Entrepreneurs from all over the Bay Area who were nominated for the Entrepreneur of the Year award. Nominees included Andrea Brenholz, CEO, ATR International; Connie Alvarez, CEO, Alvarez & Associates DBA; Ivette Carolina Agudelo Lopez, Co-Founder & CEO, 3 Lopez Media; Jane Garcia, CEO, La Clinica de la Raza; Jo Lerma-Lopez, CEO, LUNA Mexican Kitchen; Karla Garcia, Owner, Bri’s Creations Custom Cakes; Lina Mills, Owner & CEO, Creative Ideas Catering SF, LLC; Linda Mayberry-Chavez, CEO, Chavez Family Cellars; Mar Y Sol Alvarado, President of Alvaro Window Coverings; Marissa Zamora, President & CEO, Tulum Systems; Min Chen, Founder & CEO, Wisy Platforms, Inc.; Odalys Jasmine Garcia Arce, Creator and Founder, Hella Latin@, LLC.; Olivia Galvan, Owner of Peninsula Catering & Events, Inc.; and Paola Santana, Founder & CEO, GLASS.

LATINA Style was honored to have had the support of Jennifer Garcia, Chief Operating Officer, the Latino Business Action Network (LBAN), Carlos Solórzano, CEO, the Hispanic Chambers of Commerce of San Francisco, and Mimi Hernandez, Executive Director, Prosperity Lab as Honorary Chairs for the San Francisco LSBS.

Thank you to our Sponsors and Partners!

Nationwide, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, Walmart Business, Comerica, the Golden State Warriors, Latino Business Action Network, SBA, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco, Latino Business Foundation, Prosperity Lab, Prospanica Silicon Valley, NAWBO San Francisco & Silicon Valley, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley, Latino Coalition of Silicon Valley, ALPFA San Francisco, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, L’ATTITUDE Ventures, HITEC, Lean in Latinas, NAHJ Bay Area, Adelante Media, and Es Tiempo. Thank you to the following local Latina-owned businesses that were vendors for the event. Balloons vendor – Instagram @balloonsbynenny. Floral vendor – Bloom Sunshine Flowers.

For more information about the LSBS, please visit www.lsbusinessseries.com

LATINA Style also recognized Brooke Jenkins, San Francisco District Attorney as the 2023 Trailblazer Award. DA Jenkins is the first Latina District Attorney for the city.