Yolanda Hernandez > www.FiveStarTours.com

Yolanda Hernandez, Founder, Five Star Tours & Charter Company

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
Not timid to make the leap to start chase your dreams; forward looking, optimistic and confidence in yourself.


What did inspire you to start your business?
After my husband lost his job, I realized that was the best thing that happened because we were prepared to start our own business.


How did you finance it?
Savings and a second mortgage. I worked for the San Diego City Schools for 32 years and I saved all my salary and also took out a second loan on our house.


Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?
Of course! Being Hispanic woman has influenced our drive to succeed. As the only woman owner of a bus business in San Diego, my resolve is stronger.


In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
We must continue to be very positive and not be swayed by adversity.


What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
When my husband died in 2002. I felt like my world collapsed. I had to be very strong to continue, because the future of my children was in my hands. Thank God, they each studies business administration, graduated from universities and now they are in charge of the business. And they are doing quite well.


If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
Changing old buses with new ones.


What was your childhood ambition?
To become a doctor. However, my parents did not think this was a proper career choice for a woman and would not permit me go to college.


Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
* Carlos Slim Helu is the wealthiest man in Mexico. He works with his sons.
* Walt Disney, the founder of the Disney Company. In the early day’s first films, Mickey Mouse’s voice was dubbed in Walt’s own falsetto voice.
* Sam Walton, founder of Wall Mart began working as a cashier in his first supermarket.
* Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald's.


For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
I prefer lunch, because after 32 years of getting up at 5:30 am, I now rise at 9:00 a.m.


What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
Sleep. I always had the support of my husband and never sacrificed family. They have always been my number one.


Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
We are very proud to serve the community of San Diego and Mexico and provide an excellent service to the community. We first give thanks to God our Lord and second to the United States as the land of opportunity.


About the Company:
Five Star Tours & Charter Bus Company is a respected leader in the transportation industry. San Diego's tour bus leader since 1972, Five Star Tours provides the safest most dependable charter bus service in San Diego and Southern California. For more information please visit http://www.fivestartours.com/, or for media inquiries contact Richie Matthews at Richie@dialogo.us.

Alejandra In Design > www.AlejandraInDesign.com

Alejandra Hines, Creator, Alejandra In Design.


What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
You must have an abundance of the following: determination; vision; passion and the knowledge and humbly confident expression within yourself that God is directing you as you walk in the steps of your destiny.


What did inspire you to start your business?
God and all of the beautiful things He has created inspires me every day.


How did you finance it?
I started my company with $300 and a ton of grit.


Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?
Being Hispanic has its own nuanced way of life, so you can never escape it—it is a part of you to be embraced. How we interact with our family, our customs, our music, the dramatic characters and joie d ‘vive, as the French say, definitely influence how I perceive my art of business and the business of art.


In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
I choose to keep moving Upward and Onward, as it is said in English, because adversity is truly a lesson in disguise and extracting the message is what I believe God has in mind for us all. So keep it moving!


What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
Doubt. A cherished person told me that I couldn’t do what I am doing now. I had to understand that one person’s doubt is just that, one person’s doubt—let it go.


If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
Truly, I would not change a thing because it would be very unappreciative of all of the blessings that I have received and continue to receive.


What was your childhood ambition?
I wanted to be a doctor, maybe a Grey’s Anatomy type—lol. Seriously, my grandmother was one of the first fully trained nurses in Costa Rica, so I was exposed to medicine for a good portion of my life. I think I couldn’t dissect frogs, so how was I going to dissect a human?


Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
I admire all of the people that have paved the way for me to do what it is that I love to do. I especially admire the women that had the courage, determination and savvy to navigate in uncharted waters and find a land of their own.


For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
For me, lunch is best. It really sets the tone for the rest of my day (I like to work late into the nights/mornings).


What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
Any sacrifices that I’ve had to make have been necessary for this journey and I love them all!


What is your favorite quote?
I can’t wait to be on a stage in front of a large televised audience so I can say, “to God be the Glory!”


Is it difficult to be unconventional?
No, I look at my unconventional-ness as conventional, so I don’t even bother to try to figure it out.


Biggest mistake made?
I’ve trusted people at times and that has caused me to learn some very dear lessons. It’s not that I do not trust anyone, but there are moments where you can only trust what is in your heart and in your mind.


Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
I love to study people and figure out what would look good on them, or what might look good in their home and use my imagination, so that’s part of being an innovator. I love to create, so that’s another part of the formula, but to me God is the greatest innovator, so I just show up and listen.


About the Company:
AlejandraInDesign began as an off-shoot of its sister company, Alejandra’s Pearls, Inc. which was established in May of 2004. Costa Rican born jewelry designer, Alejandra, began her career designing jewelry as an expression of her vision of the female form as a walking, breathing and living work of art; therefore the jewelry and accessories should match the aura and energy of art—it should come to life and embody the unique passion of each woman. “Each piece has its soul mate,” Alejandra proclaims, “I design pieces of art for women to wear and each piece finds its match, eventually. What strikes one woman a certain way may have the opposite effect on another, so it is truly a creative birthing process, in a way” A portion of the proceeds generated from sales is donated to a cause that is personally selected by Alejandra and her staff. She has donated time, pieces, hope, energy, money and love to a number of different causes related to women and children since the company’s inception. Some notable charities and causes are the American Diabetes Association, The Northern Westchester Women’s Shelter, NYU’s Ovarian Cancer Research, Blythedale’s Children’s Hospital and The Hudson River Museum’s program to bring astronomy to economically disadvantaged children, to name a few. Alejandra’s passion for producing pieces of classically elegant, yet unique jewelry can be matched only by the joy she receives in helping those who are in need. The story of AlejandraInDesign is one of perseverance and positivity. All it takes is to speak to her personally to catch the infectious spirit of this Latina designer. “My mother taught me tenacity and undying expressive love, that is why my new line of jewelry carries her name, Elisa, in her memory.” AlejandraInDesign will be the featured jewelry designer for the internationally recognized Fashion Designer Andres Aquino at Couture Fashion Week, which will be held at the historic Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City at 8pm on September 11th.

AlejandraInDesign’s showroom is located in Westchester County, New York and Alejandra can be reached by appointment at (212) 631-5898 or by email at Alejandra@AlejandraInDesign.com.
Visit her website at http://www.alejandraindesign.com/ to view her collection.

Denise Portillo > www.IlBellaCafe.com

Denise Portillo, Owner, Il Bella Café & Il Bella Events.


What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
It begins with an imagination, you must have faith that your plan will grow into your largest dream.

What did inspire you to start your business?
I have always sought comfort in cooking and being outside with flowers. I’ve been taught that it was important that you get a formal education from a 4 year college in order to get a good paying job, and although I went to college a few semesters there was nothing that I really loved except decorating, cooking and creating floral arrangements. After I had my daughter Sophia I decided that I wanted to wake up every morning loving what I do instead of dreading that it’s Monday and couldn’t wait until Friday. That didn’t appeal to me at all, so I decided to merge all over my so called “hobbies” and create a business on what I did best.

How did you finance?
Fortunately I had the luck of having good jobs prior to being in the culinary field which allowed me to save and open the catering company. Once I launched it I began to save from the events and then opened Bella Café.

Being Hispanic does it have any influence on your business?
I get the opportunity to create traditional new dishes from different Hispanic countries and I am fortunate to work with lots of wonderful Hispanic organizations.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
Determination, hope and inspiration; life is good even though its difficult at times we all get through it and I love what I do that’s always important to keep me going. There have been times that I often wonder what am I doing? Would life had been better if I had gotten my four year degree, but throughout life there are always challenges and without them I believe that there would be no appreciation for what you have in this world.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
My Café being vandalized was very difficult to recover from, which was completely destroyed and without a kitchen. It’s taken us ten months to reopen, but we did it and its made us stronger. The time came that I had to make a choice if I was willing to risk reopening my business and possibly something devastating happening again, but this is what I have worked hard for so I was not about to throw in the towel.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
Creating a way of being more organized...Other than that the lessons as hard as they have been are worth going through and coming ahead with a smile.

What was your childhood ambition?
My childhood ambition was of course to be a wife and a mother of four then once I got older I always wanted to cook and create table settings and flowers. So in my twenties I was indecisive and then by the time my daughter was born I decided what I wanted.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
I admire Oprah Winfrey, Ellen De Generes, and Frieda Kahlo. All three women have shown great strength in many difficult challenges and have always remembered to appreciate what they have and show kindness to their fans and the less fortunate.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch or dinner?
Whichever I am not in the kitchen. Bella Café is open for breakfast and lunch and soon we will be opening for dinner. Our catering side--Bella Events--is an International Cuisine company which specializes in creating menus and beautiful ambience, the catering side is a full service company.

What scarifies on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
I waited until I was 30 to start a family, with my busy schedule I have time for my daughter and my business, finding someone to understand that is difficult. Most of the time my understanding family and daughter go with me to work but my schedule sometimes is hectic and I miss quite a few dinners and parties.

What is your favorite quote?
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless,” by Mother Teresa.

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
At first I was intimated because the culinary world was dominated by men primarily. I am a single mother so that made me more determined to succeed in any world. Our world is what we make of it.

Biggest mistake made?
Not trusting my instinct, my grandmother “Mama Honey” always told me when in doubt listen to your instincts; it was put there for us to listen to it would never steer me wrong. She was right.

Do you consider yourself an innovator?
Yes, I create dishes I believe bring comfort to people who eat them. I visually create an atmosphere that is appealing so that my clients and customers have the entire sensations: smell, sight, taste, etc., experience.

About the Company:
Chef Portillo, Executive Chef-Il Bella Café, food consultant, spokesperson and Owner, Il Bella Events

Chef Portillo grew up in Los Angeles and has become a culinary and entrepreneurial inspiration. Inspired by her family, Chef Portillo has become a world class chef, food consultant, spokesperson, and entrepreneur running her own first class catering company. With her talents and expertise in food, nutrition and health, lifestyle, and topics that affect the entire family, this Latina wonder is making waves in the world of international organic cuisine.
Chef Portillo has devoted her life to her two passions - mastering and refining the art of cooking, and educating her fans about how to enjoy complex International organic cuisine in a healthy way. "My mission is to create a delicious culinary experience with event de'cor that tantalizes the senses," Portillo says.

With a degree in Culinary Arts from the famous Le Cordon Bleu - California School of Culinary Arts, Chef Portillo has studied and practiced the intricacies of international organic cuisine. Widely recognized in culinary circles as an emerging international organic cuisine thought leader, Chef Portillo was recently named Culinary Woman of the Year by the National Latina Business Women Association, Los Angeles.

Based in Los Angeles, Chef Portillo is owner and Executive Chef for Il Bella Events, which is so hot that Chef Portillo opened Bella Café last month. The response to Denise's new restaurant has been immediate and positive, and she plans on opening three more Bella Café's in the L.A. region in the next few years.

Chef Portillo supports health, ecology and multicultural health education through her work with the Whittier Conservatory and Young Adults in Juvenile Hall, Los Angeles. Whether she's teaching nutritious cooking at her restaurant, or at an event, Chef Portillo is on fire with her desire to share everything she has learned to create a delicious culinary experience with event de'cor that tantalizes the senses!"
http://www.ilbellacafe.com/

Lucas Compan > www.nin9branding.com

Lucas Compan, Founder & CEO, Nin9 Branding™


What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
PPP = Passion + Patience + Persistence


What did inspire you to start your business?
Enthusiasm! Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and creativity.


How did you finance it?
I started my business from scratch. I am Brazilian and starting everything from zero is like a sport in Brazil.


Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?
Well, as a Brazilian I can understand the Latino and Hispanic feelings. However, there are some particularities in Brazil that you will only understand if you were born and raised in Brazil.


In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
Adversities can be great opportunities. I could say that if you have passion, you are an optimist, meaning you see opportunity in every difficulty. Moreover, adversity brings knowledge, and knowledge brings wisdom.


What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
Everyday is a challenge when you want to be a great company instead of just a big company.


If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
I should have started my own business 10 years earlier.


What was your childhood ambition?
Play soccer in the Maracanã stadium with 100,000 fans.


Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire
Steve Jobs, Assis Chateaubriant and Alessandra Compan, my wife


For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Skype, Webex or at a good coffee shop.


What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
I spent ten years with no vacations.


What is your favorite quote?
Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.


Is it difficult to be unconventional?
No at all! We need to push ours and others limits and try to leave our comfort zones.


Biggest mistake made?
I used to be a workaholic during those 10 years with no vacation.


Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
Yes! We use to create and implement new good ideas 3 to 5 years before our competitors.


About the Company:
A Warm Welcome From the First Brazilian-American Branding Agency on Earth


Nin9 Branding™ team has been familiar with the Brazilian-American business highway for over 10 years. We are a creative and vibrant team, headquartered in New York City – with an office in São Paulo City, dedicated to forging stronger brands and business between Brazil and the United States through marketing campaigns that are far more than just creative pieces or brand design.


Nin9 Branding™ is about creating strong emotions between Brazilian brands and American consumers, as well as creating pertinent ties between American brands interested in Brazilian consumers – in a sustainable way of creating brand communication. Nin9 Branding™ is a great company, then we like great companies – no matter they are big, medium-sized and small Brazilian companies with a presence in the USA. Nin9 Branding™ is also the intelligent choice for American companies that are targeting Brazilians, both in the USA and in Brazil. With Brazil rising in the emerging global power scene, we think that it is definitely time to show the world that Brazil is much, much more than just samba, capirinha, and toucans — although these are strong cultural Brazilian icons.


http://www.nin9branding.com/

Daisy de la Cruz > www.dlc-media.com

Daisy de la Cruz, Founder, De La Croix Media Group


What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
You need ambition and determination.


What did inspire you to start your business?
My hardworking mother and father. I always knew I wanted to own my own business, I wasn't sure in what; but my parents were my number one drive in making it happen.


How did you finance it?
As a service provider, starting a business doesn't require much capital. I started with a laptop, the right software and a headful of ideas (free of charge :)


Being Hispanic, does it have any influence on your business?
Absolutely. I love working with my Hispanic community in helping their own businesses prosper.


In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
My dream is to open 6 locations nationwide, amongst other endeavors. Nothing is going to get in my way.


What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
Educating other business owners on the importance of having a marketing plan. A lot of people feel they don’t need it, that it's a luxury - when in fact, it is just as important if not more than a business plan.


If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
It's hard to say... I really wouldn't change anything!


What was your childhood ambition?
I really thought I was going to be a teacher. Then I thought, maybe I'll be an interior designer - then I fell into communications, and the rest is history


Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
The entrepreneurs I admire most are those who migrate from a different country into this great land, leaving everything they know - and become successful business owners. Most of them do it with under a hundred dollars in their pocket; now THATs admirable.


For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Lunch is a bit cliché - I like to have cocktail hour


What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
My "free" time. I always find a way to unwind, but if business calls, I have to answer no matter what time of the day or night it might be.


What is your favorite quote?
Wow this is a tough question, since I always find my self quoting great philosophers... If pressed, I would have to say:
“Imagination is more important than knowledge” Albert Einstein


Is it difficult to be unconventional?
In marketing and PR, every project requires some kind of innovation and 'stepping out of the box,' if you will. Otherwise, it would all become mundane.


Biggest mistake made?
The biggest mistake I've made would have to be trusting the wrong people. In business, its great to have allies, but the wrong ones can certainly damage more than meets the eye.
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About the Company:
De La Croix Media Group is a multicultural marketing firm, specializing in graphic & web design, grass roots marketing, social media & event production and management.
http://www.dlc-media.com/