2023 Annual Report - SHCCNJ Technical Education Programs

SHCCNJ Technical Education Programs 2023

Annual Report O c t o b e r

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Partnership Programs

Our Mission Our mission at the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey's technical education programs is to provide bilingual business education and mentorship services at no cost to participating business owners. With over 120,000 Hispanic-owned businesses contributing an aggregated $90 billion to the economy each year, we aim to empower these small business owners with the skill set necessary to succeed.

HETP's Pillars Our goal is to provide access, opportunity, and meaningful mentorship/coaching AT NO COST to empower these small business owners with the required skill set necessary to become successful:

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Access to knowledge and tools

Access tonetworks

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Access to capital and credit

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Access to new markets and opportunities

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Ultimately, HETP seeks to provide Hispanic-owned businesses the resources they need to become viable assets in the communities that they serve.

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Government Sponsors

Sponsors & Partners

Exclusive Sponsor

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HETP Program structure:

The 2023 HETP program, now in its ninth year, runs between January and May 2023, and it consists of 14 classroom sessions, with two of them happening in person (one class and their graduation). Sixty entrepreneurs participated in the program, with over 12

grow. Despite the challenges of continuing in

counties represented, including 12 from

this post-COVID-19 world, our goal is to

Bergen County, 13 from Hudson County, 12

continue to offer all small businesses access

from Essex County, 4 from Union County, and

to all resources so that they can succeed. We

4 from Passaic County, to name a few. Lastly,

have had less engagement in this hybrid

industries represented include construction,

setting, which takes place in an online rather

education,

restaurants,

than an in-person environment, but we

maintenance, financial services, cleaning,

successfully maintained engagement and

health & wellness, technology, and travel &

participation levels, which resulted in a 90%

leisure.

graduation

manufacturing,

rate

while

allowing

small

businesses to keep their doors open during Classroom sessions were combined with

class time.

class instruction, including guest speakers, panels, workshops, and community-building

In addition to adjusting to a new online

exercises. Halfway through the program, in

platform, we improved the content of the

March 2023, each business owner went

program to address the immediate needs of

through a detailed individual assessment to

business owners over the past couple of

identify their main hurdles and areas of focus

years. Our team surveyed HETP participants

for expansion and growth. Based on those

to

specific needs, the students were paired up

challenges

post-COVID-19.

with a group of subject-matter expert

curriculum

included

coaches who provided individual guidance

networking virtually using LinkedIn, business

between May and July 2023.

plan and business canvas, access to capital,

understand

their

new topics

needs

and

The

HETP

such

as

cybersecurity, operations, financing, legal, All of the students developed a deeper

and marketing topics.

understanding of their businesses from the assessment and developed tailored coaching plans that focused on their personal and professional growth to help their businesses

Grant term: January 30th through September 30th, 2023

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Grant term: January 30th through September 30th, 2023

2023 Graduating Class Statistics: Applications reached 200

The cohort was made up of 60 students.

In all, 50 businesses graduated in 2023.

Other relevant statistics: Graduates represented 14 different countries.

75% were foreign-born.

12 NJ counties were represented.

+40 hours of classroom instruction.

One student was from NY.

+40 workshops delivered.

73% were female, 26% male.

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Participant Demographics by gender

27% Male, NJ

73% Female, NJ

Class composition by state and county: Requests

11 Bergen, NJ Requests

6

Passaic, NJ

Requests

13

Essex, NJ Requests

4

Union, NJ

Requests

8

Hudson, NJ

Requests

8

Middlesex, NJ

Requests

4

Monmouth, NJ

Requests

5

Sommerset, NJ

Requests

1

Morris, NJ

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Coaching Request by type Coaching type

Request

14,4%

Accounting

32

Business plan

41

Financial projections

2

Marketing strategy

72

Other (Human resources)

6

Other (Legal)

18

Other (Prospecting and sales)

2

0,9%

Other (Prospecting)

2

0,9%

Other (Sales)

14

Proposal Writing

2

0,9%

1

0,5%

Website/SEO

30

Total

222

18,5% 0,9% 32,4% 2,7% 8,1%

6,3%

13,5%

SHCCNJ Coaches

Dr. Jairo Borja

Reina Valenzuela

Tatiana Orozco

SHCCNJ VICE PRESIDENT OF CORPORATE

SMALL BUSINESS OWNER

SMALL BUSINESS OWNER

& ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMS

STARFISH GLOBAL

TOrozco Digital

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HETP pictures in-person class: All graduates received a complimentary membership to the chamber and exhibitor tables at our events.

Pitch Competition 2023

Graduation 2023

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The Latina Entrepreneurship Training Series (LETS)

Exclusive Sponsor

LETS Is an eight-week program powered by Wells Fargo that provides women-owned small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs with no-cost business counseling and training.

This comprehensive curriculum covers business planning, HR, finances, and accounting as well as marketing, legal, and other services such as the management of customer relationships. LETS offers a culturally and linguistically informed approach to business education and mentorship.

Business demographics by county - LETS 2023

Middlesex: 10.2%

Websites and Social Media: 2.0%

Manhattan: (NY) 2.0%

Accounting and Taxes: 6.1%

Hudson: 18.4 %

Business Consulting: 6.1%

Essex: 12.2%

Consumer Goods: 8.2%

Cumberland: 2.0%

Education: 6.1%

Camden: 2.0%

Event Planning: 10.2%

Bergen: 12.2%

Financial Services: 6.1%

Union: 10.2%

Health and Wellness: 10.2%

Somerset: 6.1%

Manufacturing: 2.0%

Queens NY: 4.1%

Marketing: 6.1%

Passaic: 12.2%

Other: 10.2%

Ocean: 2.0%

Restaurant and food: 14.3%

Morris: 4.1%

Services: 8.2%

Graduation 2023

Travel and Leisure: 4.1% Travel and Leisure: 4.1%

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Partnership Programs restaurant education and create a network of information

for

those

selected.

The

eight-week program was designed to help the participants adapt, grow, and thrive within the communities they serve. We are pleased to announce that two of the participants were chamber members who received a $10,000 grant. The grant was awarded

to

specific

restaurants

that

participated in the New Jersey/New York areas.

DoorDash Accelerator We have partnered with DoorDash to promote

and

share

resources

for

the

Accelerator Program for Local Restaurants.

The program aims to provide access to

PSEG In June and July of 2023, we collaborated with PSEG and NJSBDC to develop a two-part masterclass. The masterclass aimed to

assist

businesses

in

obtaining

certifications by providing education and step-by-step

guidance

throughout

the

certification process. In the first part of the presentation, we discussed the various types of certifications available at both state and federal levels and the different organizations that provide certificates throughout the

approach to helping businesses obtain

country. The second part of the class focused

certification

on

for

provided a comprehensive overview of all the

certification in New Jersey and the NJSDC's

certifications available in New Jersey, which

approach to certification, which involves

included

establishing

veteran-owned,

the

documentation

representatives

educational who

offer

required

hubs a

with

hands-on

in

small

the

state.

business

Rafael

Mata

enterprises,

woman-owned,

minority-owned, and LGBTQ+ certifications.

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Columbia Bank The Financial Series was a two-part event that covered various topics. The first session focused on access to capital, general information about credit, and the significance

of

establishing

and

comprehending

differentiation

as

business owners. The second session was presented by Ariel Coss and centered on fundamental accounting concepts, the importance of keeping balanced books, and how small businesses can ensure their finances have a positive impact.

These classes enabled small businesses to enhance their understanding and capacities to obtain capital and other financial resources.

St. Peter's The Lunch and Learn event comprised two Masterclasses on mental health and business. Dr. Anna Flores Locke presented the first class and gave business owners tips on prioritizing their mental health and avoiding burnout.

The

second

class

was

presented by Dr. Enmanuel Mercedes and focused on mental health and time management, giving business owners tips on managing their time and mental health to grow their businesses

while

taking

care

of

themselves.

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Small Business Bonding Readiness Program Spring/Fall Cohort 2023

We are thrilled to announce that this year, we are continuing our partnership with the NJEDA to provide the Small Business Bonding Readiness Program. This 7-week virtual course led by subject-matter experts aims to help small business owners improve their business practices in various areas, such as accounting, financial presentations, operations efficiency, marketing, surety bonding capacity, construction and contract law, certification, and financing. As part of this program, students can access an online portal with additional modules to supplement their classes and apply what they have learned to their everyday business.

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Case Studies Progist: Empowering digital transformation through IT solutions

Betty A. Grullon PRESIDENT / CO FOUNDER PROGSIT.COM

Betty Grullon co-founded Progsit LLC and APC Scientific Consultants & Associates LLC. With over 18 years of experience, she is a Senior Software Developer who provides software lifecycle support for government contracting. Betty's adept problem-solving and leadership skills ensure projects are completed efficiently.

The program has significantly contributed to

focused on B2G marketing, reviewing how

Betty's

NJSTART works, and GSA requirements.

growth

through

training

and

individual coaching sessions. She used this opportunity to develop a strategic expansion

Betty also worked with CPA Joshua Zorrilla to

plan for her businesses. The program's

review financial strategies to prepare her

individual coaching helped her in various

businesses for growth. This process helped

areas, including legal assistance, MWBE

Betty learn the significance of monthly

certifications, and financial planning.

financial planning reviews in uncovering

With the guidance of Attorney Rosemary

estimates.

actual profits by evaluating plan vs. actual Moyeno-Matos, Betty developed a new operating agreement for Progsit and APC Scientific Consultants & Associates. Head Coach Reina Valenzuela helped Betty prepare and file MWBE certifications. This helped Betty to leverage the bidding process for governmental organizations, with sessions

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Case Studies Bridging distances, enriching lives: Sociavi paves the way for meaningful connections for elder adults.

Paula Muller FOUNDER

Paula Muller holds a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering and is the founder of Sociavi. Her strong background in healthcare technology and extensive engineering and management experience led her to create Sociavi's platform and device. These are patented technologies designed to bring older adults and their families closer through innovative technological solutions. Paula's participation in HETP provided her with the necessary assistance and tools to address challenges along the way. During the program, she received coaching in technology, marketing, and business strategies, which empowered her to execute key elements on her own, build a stronger team, and deploy product upgrades.

She received a $50,000 small business loan

The coaching sessions provided concrete and

from NJEDA, which was used to significantly

direct strategies that were empowering. The

improve the Sociavi website and products.

atmosphere at HETP was one of continuous

Reina

support,

Valenzuela

further

assisted

with

encouragement, enabling

solidarity,

and

participants

to

restructuring the business model to be more

collaboration,

compatible with Sociavi and its target

generate valuable connections.

market. Oscar Moreno advised regarding updates to the user-facing website to improve navigation and user engagement.

Paula was also provided guidance and recommendations for developing a new B2B website.

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WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP For any questions, please contact: Carlos Medina, President and CEO e-mail: medinac@robinsonaerial.com Dr. Jairo Borja, Vice President, Corporate & Entrepreneurial Programs e-mail: jborja@shccnj.org

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