Starting a Business it’s Easier Than
You Thought
The Hispanic
Business Initiative Fund West Coast, Inc. was established in Tampa, Florida.
They began in order to assist Hispanic entrepreneurs in the area. HBIF expanded
to the Orlando area in 1995 with the help of former Orange Country Chairman
Linda Chapin, Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood, Orange County Commissioner Mary
Johnson and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Orlando. Together, they form
HBIF Florida, Inc., which increases the opportunity for Hispanics and their
businesses by providing tools to construct them.
HBIF offers
seminars and workshops on many topics based on business. For example, “How to
Certify Your Business as a Minority” to “How to Write a Business Plan.” The
purpose of these events is to help those that want to start a business or
instruct those that have one about anything to improve their business to government
funding available to them. The events help teach accounting, costs for the
company and any type of information that is helpful for small businesses.
Another type of
assistance that the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund begins with is the
company’s registration to knowing how other businesses like theirs are doing on
the area. Margarita Mercado, who attended the how to start a business event,
felt that “the information was helpful and was surprised at how many services
they offer.”
Syndy Ruhman, who
also attended the event, expressed “the information was helpful and I will be
using it for my business.” “Knowing how many businesses like mine are in the
area and how well they do financially is good information to know because I can
make a better decision toward my business,” said Margarita.
Some of their
seminars are “How to Start a Business,” “Introduction to Quickbooks” and
“Business Taxes.” The events are accessible in Spanish and English in Kissimee,
Tampa and Orlando. Aside from their events, they also offer classes and one-
on-one assistance to those who need it for their business.
The workshops are
completely free, open to the public, offered several times a month and only
last one hour and thirty minutes. Registration for their events is online and
located in three different locations in Florida. Also, there are different
types of seminars but they are all focused on helping small and new businesses.
The environment is
very informative in which you can bring any doubts to the table and you can be
assisted by an expert on the matter. They welcome any kind of business except
non-profit. Aside from helping those who have a business already, anyone with
an idea can be helped by HBIF in order to develop it.
Their website
includes their mission, vision and services that they offer. It also contains
the free seminars they have, the topics, and locations. Included in the
website, you can find contact information and even stories about those who
attended their events and used the information to help their business.
