Booming Hispanic Business Communities

Rapidly growing Hispanic business communities are transforming destitute areas in the Washington region into bustling areas filled with mom and pop shops and small retailers. Trying to cash in on the commerce, economic developers want to spruce up these thriving neighborhoods to attract more consumers. But, small business owners fear that the gentrification will bring large competitors and drive them out of business.

The Post's Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve, chairman of the Greater Washington Ibero Chamber of Commerce, will be online Monday, June 7 at 11 a.m. ET discuss the challenges facing the area's Hispanic communities.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

________________________________________________

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: Hi Folks. Thanks so much for joining us. Hope you enjoyed reading the section today. Michael Veve, chairman of the Greater Washington Ibero Chamber of Commerce, is online with us. He's a longtime D.C. businessman who has watched the local Latino business community grow. Let's get started ...

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: What local neighborhoods are booming most as a result of growing Hispanic businesses?

washingtonpost.com: Burgeoning Market Exerts Its Force (Post, June 7)

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: The main neighborhoods are in Adams-Morgan Mt. Pleasant area in DC, the Arlandria section in VA, as well as Herndon, Va. and Manassas, Va., and in Md., the Wheaton area.

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: I live near Arlandria and am thrilled to have such a vibrant Hispanic community as a neighbor. But I'll be honest -- I'm a little afraid to sample all the businesses there. Will me and my wife -- boring white suburbanites -- be embraced by shops and restaurants that are focused on serving the local Spanish-speaking population?

washingtonpost.com: The Changing Face Of Arlandria (Post, June 7)

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: Krissah: The shop owners in Arlandria have built their businesses by serving the community in the immediate area--mostly apartment dwellers within one mile, but many are eager to branch out. The food is good. The people are nice. Give it a try. You'll be welcome. At the end of the day, money is green.

_______________________

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: Krissah: Michael you've been in the area since 1973. Tell us about how the Hispanic business community has changed since then.

_______________________

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: Since 1973, when I arrived here, there has been a growth in the diversity of Hispanic businesses, not just mom and pop restaurants, but a lot of white collar professional businesses (architects, consultants, CPA's etc.) Also, former employees became their own employers, setting up their own businesses and companies after working here initially for someone else. I can go a whole week talking in Spanish at my retail stores, restaurants, post office, banks, etc. It has been a change in numbers and in diversity of businesses.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Do you think local schools, colleges and area businesses (such as loan offices and banks) really have enough bilingual resources?

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: Krissah: Many of the business people I spoke with talked about the total lack of bilingual resources a few decades ago. That's changing. Many SBA offices, banks and other business resources now have Spanish staffers and translate information for Hispanic business people who prefer Spanish. For more info see page E3 of today's Washington Business section.

_______________________

Vienna, Va.: A lot of times, immigrants have a difficult time establishing their finances especially since filing immigration papers seems like such a complex process. How can recent immigrants, even those who have been here a few years get help in funding or loans to start their own business? Are there Latino business resources out there willing to help?

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: (Veve): Latino businesses, whether or not owned by citizens of the US, can incorporate and seek loans from their local bank. There are some resources available for loan orientation, including the Small Business Administration, and some SBA-chartered counseling centers called Small Business Development Councils, which include the one at George Mason University and at Howard University. SBA offers some micro-loans, and is also in the business of giving loan guarantees, but only if the private lender (bank) is willing to lend. The Comite Hispano in Northern Virginia is also an excellent counseling source for this type of inquiry.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Hola-Hello: I have more of a comment and that is GRACIAS for the coverage given to the vibrant Hispanic-Latino Business community. I was born in Washington, DC, parents came from Honduras in the early 60's, I graduated from the UMD-College Park, worked for local Spanish-language print media and worked for Mr. Gordon in Telemundo in late 90's as well. It's a wonderful market to learn and grow in, such that I decided to launch my own marketing and media consulting service as well two years ago. I am able to communicate in both Spanish and English throughout the entire day which is great. Also, congratulations to the POST in the purchase of El Tiempo Latino two weeks ago, this is sure sign of strategic alliances and more mergers to come.

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: Krissah: Thanks for the note. Your ability to communicate in both Spanish and English during the work day is a real indication of the growth of the Latino business community in this market over the last decade.

_______________________

Manassas, Va.: Good morning:

How strong is the Brazilian entrepreneurial community in the metropolitan area, and in what areas are they concentrated? The same goes for Bolivians.

Thanks for taking my questions.

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: (Veve): I am not familiar with the Brazilian entrepreneurial group here in DC, but I believe the commercial attache's office at the Embassy of Brazil would be able to identify a group for you in this area if one exists. As to Bolivians, I believe there is a small Bolivian Chamber in Northern Virginia, but I do not have their contact telephone number. The US Hispanic Chamber offices in DC may have it.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: Today's article was very interesting. It seems to me that there are also thriving Hispanic communities in Culmore and along parts of Columbia Pike. Has Arlington County been as active in recognizing and engaging those communities as Alexandria has with Arlandria?

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: Krissah: In reporting the story about Arlandria I also spoke with economic development folks in Arlington County. They recently launched a small business development program in Spanish that attracted about 80 Latino business owners. There is also a plan for the redevelopment of Columbia Pike in ways, Arlington County officials, say will preserve its diversity.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: How are the community relations between the Hispanic population in Arlandria and African American communities of Alexandria and Arlington? Has there been cooperation, or is there tension?

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: (Veve): I am not aware of any tensions between Hispanics and African-Americans in Northern VA. As to cooperation projects, I am not familiar with any.

_______________________

Fairfax, Va.: Do the growing businesses keep in mind the need to train Latino youths or partnering with work study programs at local schools?

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: Krissah: In my reporting I found many Latino businessmen who felt it was their responsibility to give back to their community. Some of that philanthropy was directed at youth. Members of the Salvadoran Chamber have been instrumental in developing a soccer league in Northern Virginia and awarding scholarships. Soza & Co. the company founded by William Soza--a Hispanic Businessman in Fairfax--gave a big pot of money for scholarships to George Mason University a few years back. Soza has since sold the company but still works with the University's minority advisory board.

_______________________

Fairfax, Va.: Can you speak to some of the cultural differences that come into play as Hispanic/Latino business go more mainstream? For instance, there's a great Latino restaurant in a center near me -- but, after ten p.m. on the weekends, they basically become a LOUD Latino nightclub, complete with sidewalk fights. The owner's position is that the neighborhood doesn't understand the "culture" -- as he describes it, late at night, the men in the local Hispanic community gather to drink and that's that. I'm not sure that late-night drinking and fights are really a part of ANY culture. We're not anxious to be bad neighbors (or run to the police or the ABC), but we're running out of options. Do you have any thoughts?

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: (Veve): Any business, regardless of ethnic background, that breaks the law or disturbs the peace should be reported to the authorities. Differences in culture is not a defense for law-breaking or antisocial behavior. I would treat the problem you describe no differently than I would any other issue, regardless of culture.

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: Hola as well,

I remember an article in the Washington Post last year that indicated that there were lines outside of a famous South American Chicken franchise that has recently moved to the Arlandira area. Could you suggest what that francise might be as I forgot the name and I would like to check it out.

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: Krissah: Hola, that very popular place is the Guatemalan chain Pollo Campero. Current outlets are in Herndon and Falls Church but there are plans to open a few more. Franchise holder and local businessman Jose Barahona said he wants to open a store in Langley Park later this year.

_______________________

South Arlington: I live in another Latino business hot-spot along Columbia Pike in Arlington. The question I have is while I think it's great that recent immigrants are starting businesses, the lack of English-speaking ability sometimes is troubling (for that matter, I experience that in a number of immigrant-owned businesses in South Arlington). Where is the line between serving a specific community and serving a broader community that speaks the majority language?

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: (Veve): Any successful business is one that caters to the needs of the clientele it serves. When it comes to language, the successful business will need to know Spansih, English, and in some cases, even Korean! If you don't have bilingual employees in a business located in a Latino area, you are tying your hands behind your back.

_______________________

Maryland: The Maryland government and the ex-governors complained about Hispanic workers's poor English language skills. What will be done about customer service?

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: (Veve): Your question should be addressed to the Maryland government.

_______________________

Silver Spring, Md.: Do either of you know why the Post chooses to label business stories of this kind with the word "Hispanic"? Sunday's paper had a story by Yuki Noguchi about "Hispanic" cell phone use and today's story refers to the populations you write about in the same way. I am wondering why you cannot use the word "Latino," as it seems more inclusive.

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: Krissah: Hi Silver Spring. In many cases the organizations and people we spoke to referred to themselves as Hispanic. As the dialogue within the community continues, I'll continue to follow it and try adjust the terms accordingly.

_______________________

Springfield, Va.: What role do you think the hispanic business community will have as the region tries to deal with the increasing gang activities in the region?

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: (Veve): The problem of gangs will require a broad, long-term solution, involving state and local government, law enforcement, educational programs, youth employment programs by local Hispanic and non-Hispanic businesses, churches, social organizations, and a lot of media attention to keep the spotlight on the problem. It is not a simple problem to resolve. It will require a lot of attention by everyone in the community. Businesses can do what they do best: provide jobs to Hispanic youth to teach them about work, self discipline, and achievement.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Krissah and Michael, thanks for your feedback. My testimony is also to inspire Latino youth to not abandon the Spanish-language, to continue their education and graduate and to hopefully one day start their own businesses. This country is full of opportunities, if one wishes to pursue them.

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: (Krissah) I'm currently studying Spanish and appreciate the sentiment. Thanks for your comment.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: This whole view of Latino businesses and staff not speaking enough English is irrelevant, would the same comment be made when you go to CHINATOWN in D.C. to eat at a restaurant? It's all about customer service and in some of the areas mentioned in the article, the majority happens to be Spanish speakers. Although having bilingual staff is still very important for future growth.

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: (Krissah): Thanks for your comment. Many of the business folks I spoke with agree with you D.C.

_______________________

Gaithersburg, Md.: Hispanic-Americans in the Greater Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area as previous generations of Americans are extremely entrepreneurial. Yet, opportunities in local, state and federal employment and contracting are limited at best and unlawful at worst. Even elected officials such as William Schaeffer, Bob Ehrlich and Michael Steele can make xenophobic remarks with consequences. What are the many Hispanic chambers doing to level the playing field? Access to capital at competitive rates is also a problem. What is organized Hispanic business doing about it?

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: (Veve): I know that the Hispanic chambers in MD are seeking meetings with the Governor and the Lt. Gov. to get more state contracts for Hispanic businesses to level the playing field. It is still too early to tell what degree of success this will have.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I just wanted to point out that the Small Business Administration, has a lot of useful information in its spanish site at http://www.negocios.gov so that the community can better inform themselves.

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: (Krissah) Thanks for your comment. I'm sure los due?os de negocios Latinos will appreciate it!

_______________________

Alexandria: What would you say to or about the Latinos who resist learning English? I have attempted to do business with non-English speaking some store owners. The expectation seemed to be that I needed to learn Spanish.

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: (Veve): If you look closely, you will discover that most Latinos are learning English as fast as they can, because they know they need English to succeed in the US. The first generation usually has the most difficulty in learning, because they come here as adults, out of school, having to work for a living at the expense of having the time to learn English. Their children, however, are fully bilingual, and attend local schools. The real challenge will come with the third generation: will they forget their Spanish language and only speak English? Our country needs bilingual, trilingual, even multilingual citizens, who are comfortable in English but who can also speak with the rest of the world to succeed in business, don't you agree?

_______________________

Krissah Williams and Michael E. Veve: Thanks so much for your questions and comments. And thanks for joining us Michael. Que tenga un buen d?a! Have a great day.

_______________________