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Apr 28
0

Celebrating Growth: Our New Quarterly Impact Report Highlights Community Success

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We’re excited to announce the release of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Impact Report! This new report reflects the incredible work made possible by the dedication of our members, partners, and community supporters like you.

At the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, our mission is not only to serve as a voice for business but to be a catalyst for economic development, operational growth, and community impact. The launch of this Quarterly Impact Report gives us a chance to showcase the tangible results of your support — both in the public-facing initiatives you see and the internal operational improvements that fuel our continued success.

What You’ll Find in the Report:

  • Highlights of key initiatives and events that connected, educated, and empowered local businesses

  • Success stories of members and organizations making a difference

  • Metrics demonstrating our growth in membership, event participation, advocacy efforts, and program launches

  • A closer look at how investments in our operations have increased our ability to support Hispanic-owned businesses and future entrepreneurs

Every project, event, and program we deliver is a reflection of a growing and engaged network that believes in building a stronger Fort Worth through business leadership, collaboration, and innovation.

Why This Matters:
Supporting the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is about more than attending events — it’s about being part of a broader movement that drives opportunity, equity, and economic empowerment for Hispanic entrepreneurs and the entire business community.

The Quarterly Impact Report gives transparency to our efforts and shows the real, measurable outcomes of the trust and resources you invest in our mission.

Stay Connected:
We invite you to download and read the full Quarterly Impact Report to see the many ways we are building momentum for a brighter future. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey and for helping us turn vision into reality.

Together, we are creating lasting impact — and this is just the beginning.

View Full Report

Apr 09
0

Fort Worth Chamber Launches Homelessness Toolkit to Support Local Businesses

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Fort Worth, TX – In response to growing concerns from business owners across the city, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce has officially released its Homelessness Toolkit for Businesses. This actionable resource is designed to help business owners navigate the challenges caused by homelessness while offering tailored solutions to protect their operations and foster community partnerships.

Why This Toolkit Matters

According to recent data gathered through the Chamber’s Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) surveys, homelessness was ranked as the number one challenge among small businesses in Fort Worth in 2023. Out of 420 businesses surveyed, a staggering 65% reported that homelessness was directly impacting their daily operations. In response, the Chamber formed a Homelessness Task Force last fall to explore practical strategies and compile effective resources that could be used by local entrepreneurs and large businesses alike.

What’s Inside the Toolkit?

The toolkit includes:

  • Proven strategies to reduce the operational impact of homelessness.

  • City and nonprofit resources to refer individuals in need.

  • Guidance on creating a safer and more supportive business environment.

  • Contacts and communication strategies for working with local public safety teams and outreach groups.

The toolkit is now available in both English and Spanish to ensure accessibility across Fort Worth’s diverse business landscape.

A Collaborative Effort

This toolkit was created with input and support from:

  • City of Fort Worth staff

  • Fort Worth Police Department

  • Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

  • Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce

  • Downtown Fort Worth Inc.

  • Camp Bowie District

  • Near Southside, Inc.

  • Local business leaders and nonprofit organizations

This collaborative approach ensures the toolkit reflects the real challenges Fort Worth business owners are facing while providing long-term, community-focused solutions.

Download Homelessness Toolkit

Descargar el Kit

Chamber collaboration

Apr 07
0

Kit de Herramientas de Preparación para Familias Indocumentadas

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🛡️ Preparación para Personas Indocumentadas en el Norte de Texas: Protege tu Futuro y el de Tu Familia

Vivir en el norte de Texas como persona indocumentada conlleva muchos retos. Desde preocupaciones legales hasta el acceso limitado a recursos, es fundamental estar bien informado y preparado. En la Cámara Hispana de Comercio de Fort Worth, entendemos las preocupaciones de nuestra comunidad y hemos desarrollado un Toolkit de Preparación para Personas Indocumentadas que ofrece guías y mejores prácticas para protegerte a ti y a tus seres queridos.

📌 ¿Por qué es importante prepararse?

  1. Proteger a tu familia: Tener un plan en caso de emergencia migratoria ayuda a mantener a la familia unida y protegida.

  2. Acceso a recursos: Muchas personas desconocen los servicios disponibles para quienes no tienen estatus migratorio. Nuestro toolkit detalla a qué recursos puedes acceder.

  3. Evitar fraudes: Estar informado te permite identificar engaños comunes y evitar a personas que se aprovechan de la comunidad inmigrante.

  4. Sentirte con poder: Saber tus derechos y tener tus documentos organizados te da más confianza y seguridad.

📲 Recurso Recomendado: ConsulAppContigo

Una de las herramientas más útiles disponibles para nuestra comunidad es la aplicación ConsulAppContigo, la cual puedes descargar desde tu teléfono móvil (Apple o Android). Esta aplicación:

✅ Ofrece alertas de emergencia para notificar a familiares si ocurre un incidente
✅ Proporciona información sobre consulados y sus servicios
✅ Tiene recursos legales y contactos útiles
✅ Está disponible en español y es fácil de usar

Descárgala aquí:

📘 Descarga el Toolkit Gratuito de la Cámara

Hemos preparado un toolkit completo para que las personas indocumentadas puedan planificar, organizar sus documentos, y conocer los recursos legales en Fort Worth. Incluye plantillas de poder legal, listas de emergencia, y más.

👉 Haz clic aquí para consultar nuestro Toolkit de Preparación

💬 Conclusión

Prepararte no significa que estás esperando lo peor, significa que estás tomando el control de tu presente y tu futuro. La preparación es un acto de amor propio y protección familiar. Desde la Cámara Hispana de Comercio de Fort Worth, seguimos comprometidos con brindarte herramientas, recursos y apoyo en cada paso del camino.

Jan 27
0

“Mario Valdez: Leading the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber into a Bright Future”

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The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has long served as a pipeline for talented Hispanic leaders in its community, and Mario Valdez is a testament to that tradition. Valdez has been named the 2025 Chairman of the Board for the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FWHCC). He brings a unique combination of personal perseverance, professional expertise, and community dedication to this leadership role.

Growing up in the rural village of La Encarnación in Zacatecas, Mexico, Mario relocated to California at the age of eight. As the first in his family to graduate from high school, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the College of Environmental Design at California Polytechnic State University, Pomona.

After an early career in California, Valdez moved to Texas in 2010 and joined Quorum, a Fort Worth-based architecture and interior design firm. Over the years, he has worked on diverse projects, including retail, municipal, senior living, and animal care design. A passion for animal care led him to design the veterinary clinic he co-founded with his wife, Cristina, a veterinarian, in 2016.

Mario has been deeply involved in community service and professional organizations, earning widespread recognition. “The chamber welcomed me immediately when I attended my first function 13 years ago,” he shared. “From that moment on, I’ve always felt welcomed and included in Fort Worth.” He was honored as the FWHCC Ambassador of the Year in 2014, named a 40 Under 40 professional by Fort Worth Business Press in 2018, and received the Young Professional Award from AIA Fort Worth in 2022. Most recently, he was recognized as an Emerging Latino Leader in FWHCC’s 50th Anniversary Publication and named an inaugural member of the Fort Worth Forum in 2024.

Valdez’s leadership roles include serving on several committees for the AIA Fort Worth including the Homes Tour, the “House for…” Exhibit and the Latinos in Architecture Committee, and as a Board Member for the YMCA Benbrook Branch. In the past, he has held various leadership positions within FWHCC, including Ambassador Chair, and served as a SteerFW Board Member and Volunteer/Membership Committee Co-Chair. These experiences will undoubtedly inform his role as Chair of the chamber.

Just as he was warmly welcomed in Fort Worth, Valdez and the board aim to extend that same hospitality to others who are new to the community, the chamber, or business leadership. Valdez’s commitment to fostering opportunities for Hispanic leaders and small businesses through FWHCC programs, such as the Business Pitch Competition and MWBE certification support, underscores his dedication to the chamber’s mission. He emphasized, “The business assistance we provide to small businesses and first-time entrepreneurs, many of whom face language barriers, resonates deeply with me.”

Looking ahead, Valdez is optimistic about FWHCC’s future. “Thanks to the progress achieved under our outgoing President and CEO, Anette Landeros, and the unwavering support of our board and community leaders, I am confident we will have another record-breaking year in 2025 as we remain relevant and vibrant in the community,” he stated. His leadership, coupled with a forward-thinking team, positions the chamber for continued success in fostering economic growth and empowering Hispanic leaders.

While Anette Landeros is irreplaceable, Valdez is confident in the prospects of finding an inspiring leader to guide the chamber into its next chapter. “Our only challenge will be selecting just one from the wealth of talented applicants, each of whom would bring visionary skills to lead our chamber,” Valdez said.

Valdez and the board also recognize the importance of honoring the many successes, programs, and initiatives made possible by the continued support and partnership of their members, corporate sponsors, and civic leaders. He expressed deep gratitude for the support the chamber continues to receive from past leaders, which includes past chairs Ish Arebalos, Gloria Starling, Michael Dimas, Alex Gimenez, Carlos de la Torre, Abel Sanchez, Larry Anfin, Sandra McGlothlin among others, and past Presidents and CEOs John Hernandez, Rosa Navejar, and, of course, Anette Landeros. “Together, we are shaping the future of Fort Worth, and I am confident that the best is yet to come,” Valdez stated.

Jan 26
0

2024 Research: Empowering Fort Worth Businesses with Insights

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Fort Worth Business Research and Insights: Understanding the Challenges of Business Owners in Fort Worth
In 2024, the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FWHCC) undertook a comprehensive research project to identify the key challenges faced by Hispanic business owners in our region. This initiative included collaboration with the nonprofit research organization, The Hispanic Project, as well as leveraging findings from studies like Cities Work’s Small Business Insights Week. Through 80+ interviews, 354 survey responses, and 80+ focus group attendees, we gathered invaluable data that shaped our understanding of barriers to success and informed our programming.
Key Findings:
  1. Barriers to Growth and Access to Capital: Hispanic-owned businesses face unique challenges in surpassing revenue thresholds. For example:
    • 30% of Hispanic-owned businesses generate $50,000–$100,000 annually, compared to 20% of non-Hispanic businesses.
    • Only 7% reach $200,000–$400,000 in revenue, compared to 9% of non-Hispanic businesses. Many business owners rely on personal financial risk rather than traditional funding sources, creating significant hurdles for scalability. This highlighted the need for financial literacy training and expanded access to funding opportunities.
  2. Workforce Challenges:
    • Retaining and hiring employees remains a critical issue, with many Hispanic business owners turning to family or close friends. However, this can introduce challenges like unclear expectations and mismatched skills.
    • Training programs and succession planning were identified as essential tools to address these workforce gaps.
  3. Local Market Engagement:
    • Hispanic businesses show a strong tendency to scale out of state (37%) but underutilize local markets (23%). By emphasizing local engagement strategies, these businesses can reduce operational risks and build long-term sustainability.
  4. Family Business Sustainability: Research revealed that only 30% of family businesses survive the transition to the second generation, and 47% lack a successor. This underscores the importance of education around governance, succession planning, and family dynamics to ensure generational success.
  5. Regulatory Challenges: Entrepreneurs voiced concerns about complex permitting processes, limited access to city resources, and unclear pathways to business certifications, all of which can delay or prevent success.
 
The Road Ahead:
By fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Hispanic businesses, the FWHCC is uniquely positioned to create impactful solutions. From enhancing access to capital to providing bilingual support, we aim to build a sustainable and inclusive ecosystem that empowers Hispanic entrepreneurs to thrive locally, regionally, and beyond.
Our commitment to data-informed programming ensures that the voices of our community are heard, their needs addressed, and their businesses positioned for generational success. Through continued research, partnerships, and advocacy, we are building a Fort Worth where Hispanic businesses can achieve their fullest potential. Get the full report by emailing gilberto.atayde@fwhcc.org

How You Can Use This Data

The Fort Worth Business Research report is invaluable for creating tailored strategies to address the unique challenges faced by Fort Worth businesses. Whether you’re a business owner looking to tackle these issues or a corporate entity seeking ways to support the community, this data serves as a starting point for informed decision-making.

To read the full report and dive deeper into the findings, click here. This report is a vital resource for anyone invested in Fort Worth’s economic development and business growth.

External Resources We Used to Collect Data

Our Fort Worth Business Research and findings were instrumental in the creation of our Banking Council, a vital resource aimed at enhancing access to capital and financial literacy for Fort Worth businesses. By identifying the unique challenges local businesses face, we developed this council to connect entrepreneurs with tailored banking products, mentorship, and resources. Join our Banking Council today and be part of an initiative that drives economic growth and financial stability for our community.

Additionally, this research guided the topics for our Seminarios, a series of bilingual workshops designed to address the most pressing needs of business owners. From financial planning to succession strategies, these workshops provide actionable insights and support based on real-world data. Learn more about our Seminarios program and see how they can empower your business!