Three local Hispanic-owned businesses were honored at the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund of Florida’s (Prospera) 2016 Success Stories Luncheon. This was the third annual fundraising event to recognize entrepreneurs who received technical assistance from Prospera. At the end of the event, the nonprofit organization launched a new brand, to be implemented in a few weeks.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez and State Senator Miguel Díaz de la Portilla delivered remarks during the event. Speakers also included representatives from event Host Sponsors AT&T, Bank of America, and Walmart.
Approximately 400 South Florida government, business and community leaders joined the clients and volunteers of Prospera at the event.
This year’s luncheon featured keynote speaker José Mas, CEO of MasTec, Inc. “We have been very fortunate, we have built a great company that employs a lot of people in this community, and for me it’s all about looking forward and giving back,” said Mas during his inspirational keynote speech. “I’m very proud to be a part of this. To see so many people that are hungry, that want to start their own businesses, that are at the beginning stages, and to be able to participate with them, to help them in any way I can. I think it’s important for all of us and improves our community.”
The entrepreneurs honored at the event were selected based on the growth and economic impact of their business. “This is our signature annual event, a great celebration of entrepreneurship to honor the contributions that our Hispanic clients, who have gone through our Prospera programs, make to South Florida’s economic ecosystem,” said Myrna Sonora, vice president in South Florida. “This year’s luncheon was especially memorable because the lessons that our clients took away from hearing about MasTec’s experience will serve them as they work to build their own businesses.”
The following local Hispanic-owned businesses were recognized:
- Granite FVY – Owner: Luis Fernandez
Family-owned business in Hialeah that designs, creates, and installs custom made kitchen and bathroom cabinets and countertops. They offer various types of countertops including granite, quartz, marble and onyx, and personalized design and installation. Prospera has assisted them with consulting, assistance for financing and accounting processes, and grants for QuickBooks® dedicated consulting, corporate branding, a marketing plan, website and digital marketing.
- Moonlighter – Owners: Tom Pupo and Daisy Nodal
Leaders in South Florida’s Maker Movement, they offer space, continued education and equipment in Wynwood for individuals to engage in the manufacturing and 3-D design process, including 3-D printers, production models such as a CNC mill, sewing machines, laser and vinyl cutters, and more.Prospera’s services and support since they began their business. They have benefitted fromProspera consulting and grants for a business plan, marketing plan, and QuickBooks® training. https://moonlighter.co/
- ShadeFLA – Owner: Margueritte Ramos
Sells design-forward tension sails, retractable sails, cabanas and different types of canopies, such as playground covers.Prospera provided ShadeFLA with consulting and grants for corporate branding and a marketing plan.
At the end of the luncheon,Prospera launched its new brand, which will go into effect in late October. After 25 years of serving Hispanic entrepreneurs in Florida—five of them in South Florida—the organization is rebranding to better meet the needs of its clients, funders and community partners. “We are doing for ourselves what we do for our clients, to make a difference in how people remember us, how they can find us and how we are better able to serve our clients,” said Sonora. Prospera is now Prospera, and their tagline advancing Hispanic business.
The 2016Prospera Success Stories Luncheon was made possible thanks to these sponsors. Host Sponsors: AT&T, Bank of America, Walmart and Wells Fargo. Champion Sponsors: FirstBank and SunTrust. Parking Sponsor: South Florida BMW Centers. Your Story Booth: United Data Technologies. Honorary Sponsors: Maria Elena Cisneros Insurance Agency, Walt Disney World Resort, T&G Constructors and JP Morgan Chase. Media Sponsor: Telemundo 51.
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