This just appeared on my radar, and it’s happening this Tuesday.

Like all business owners, entrepreneurs face challenges with sales, marketing, financing, staffing and a host of other issues. Building on the success of HPNG networking events, HPNG Entrepreneur events will deliver live, one-on-one interviews with successful entrepreneurs and government officials. We’ll discuss business strategies, sales and marketing and ask our guest speakers to share best practices and learn how they overcame their business challenges.

After the interview, attendees can network and service providers can showcase their products or services by way of exhibits and a learning theatre. This learning theatre allows exhibitors to deliver a 3-minute elevator pitch to the audience about their product or service.

I’ve been informed that there’s an opportunity for two (2) bloggers to attend for free an meet NYC Small Business Commissioner Robert W. Walsh.

Contact me through the options on the Contact tab if you don’t already have my number.

My eyes, ears and mouth were sealed shut.
It’s interesting to see how businesses and marketers are now paying attention to previously ignored niche networks.  By this I specifically mean low-income demographics and urban communities.

There is an entire “sub-culture” of bloggers / twitterers complete with celebrities and household names I had never heard of!

I’m sure this experience will reverberate as more marketers and brands familiarize themselves with these ‘sub-cultures’ (unfortunately termed).  As a matter of fact, there are huge personalities and networks that are prevalent, but sadly unknown because of the unbalance of media attention.

I profit, so therefore YOU are.
Let’s be honest, the only reason why Latinos and other ‘minorities,’ are beginning to see engagement is because of money.  If profit was not desired via the new Latino romance, businesses would not be interested.  It’s a numbers game.

Here’s the twist:  some of these networks are hardened or better…petrified toward the monetization of their efforts.  They are suspicious and bitter because of the lack of attention and throwback that they have unduly swallowed over the years.  This wall of resistance will be undoubtedly be perplexing to the naive marketer.

I would hope that this chip (boulder if you will), on their shoulder can easily be traded for a more valuable token.  Opportunity will be knocking at the door, and it would be smart not to shoo it away.

Best course of action: set sail for the sun.
The challenge here for underdeveloped communities is NOT to rush in and haphazardly connect with businesses, but learn how to elevate themselves on more stable platforms in order to better control these opportunities and leverage their deal making abilities.  It is tenfold more beneficial to become business owners rather than remain consumers. Then, and only then can Latinos participate in economic decision making processes.