Building strong relationships between Chambers of Commerce and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) is crucial for fostering economic growth and supporting local entrepreneurs. Chambers, such as the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FWHCC), serve as a hub for business networking, advocacy, and resources, while SBDCs provide valuable support in areas like business planning, financial management, and strategic growth.
The Benefits of Partnering with SBDCs
Comprehensive Business SupportSBDCs offer specialized training and consulting services that complement chamber programs such as our Banking Council and Advocacy Committee. By working together, chambers and SBDCs can provide a more holistic approach to business development, ensuring entrepreneurs receive the guidance they need to succeed.
Increased Access to Funding OpportunitiesMany small businesses struggle with securing funding. SBDCs can connect businesses to loans, grants, and other financial resources, aligning with chamber efforts like our Events Committee to secure sponsorships and fundraising opportunities. This partnership helps businesses become more financially stable and investment-ready.
Enhanced Training and WorkshopsChambers can collaborate with SBDCs to host joint workshops and educational programs that focus on financial literacy, marketing strategies, and growth planning. Our Ambassador Program is a great example of how chamber members can engage with such educational initiatives to further their business acumen.
Networking and Community EngagementA partnership with SBDCs can increase networking opportunities for chamber members by connecting them with business experts, government resources, and potential investors. Collaborations like these also strengthen the chamber’s role in supporting local economic development initiatives.
Policy Advocacy and Business SupportChambers often work closely with policymakers to advocate for small business-friendly policies. By partnering with SBDCs, chambers can leverage data and case studies to push for meaningful legislative changes that benefit the business community. Our Advocacy Committee plays a crucial role in this effort, ensuring our members’ voices are heard at the local, state, and national levels.
How to Strengthen Chamber-SBDC Relationships
Host Joint Events: Organize networking mixers, training workshops, and panel discussions that involve both chamber members and SBDC advisors.
Share Resources: Develop co-branded educational materials that highlight the services offered by both organizations.
Cross-Promotion: Utilize chamber newsletters and social media platforms to promote SBDC services and vice versa.
Collaborate on Grant Applications: Work together to secure funding for joint initiatives that benefit small business owners.
Conclusion
Establishing a strong partnership between Chambers of Commerce and SBDCs enhances the support ecosystem available to small businesses. Whether it’s through shared resources, co-hosted events, or policy advocacy, this relationship empowers entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute to the local economy.
Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is set to begin with the exit of its president and CEO.
Anette Landeros announced Oct. 23 that she will move to a new position as chief strategy officer of Trinity Metro, the Fort Worth-area transit agency. She will officially exit the chamber Dec. 13. The organization’s board of directors will announce details of their search to replace Landeros in the coming weeks.
“It has been an honor to serve this incredible organization and the dynamic community of businesses that make up the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce,” Landeros said in a statement. “Together, we have accomplished so much, and I am grateful for the relationships, partnerships, and growth we have achieved. While it is bittersweet to move on, I am excited to continue serving Fort Worth in this new role at Trinity Metro.”
Known for her community-building and nonprofit service, Landeros led the Hispanic chamber for more than five years after working as a project manager in the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Landeros helped increase the chamber’s innovation and intentional community programs to better service the organization’s membership and the Historic Northside area, where the chamber’s offices are located. The chamber is leading a Main Street America pilot program to revitalize the Northside business district, along with pitch competitions and the Hecho en Fort Worth initiative, among others.
The chamber said in a news release that Landeros helped create greater opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses to thrive and forged critical partnerships with the private and public sectors to elevate the chamber’s role in advocating for Hispanic business success.
During Landeros’ tenure, she led the chamber through unprecedented growth, focusing on enhancing economic opportunities for Hispanic-owned businesses while positioning the chamber as a pivotal force for inclusion in the business community, the organization said.
The chamber, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, has grown from an initial membership of 30 to include hundreds of businesses and entrepreneurs.
Ish Arebalos, chair of the Hispanic chamber, expressed his gratitude for Landeros’ contributions to the organization.
“Anette’s leadership has had a profound impact on the chamber, and her legacy of collaboration, innovation, and community-building will continue to guide us forward,” Arebalos said. ”We are incredibly proud of her, and while we will miss her in this role, we are excited for her new opportunity with Trinity Metro.”
Ben Robertson, vice president and director of business development for Byrne Construction Services, serves as a board member for both the Hispanic chamber and Trinity Metro.
“In the five years Anette led the Hispanic chamber, the chamber has been the most successful it’s ever been,” Robertson said. “She is leaving the chamber in great shape thanks to her leadership. In regard to her new position, I can’t think of a more qualified person to be a part of Trinity Metro as it grows and expands.”
Rich Andreski, president and CEO of Trinity Metro, said Landeros’ extensive background in community leadership and transportation makes her the ideal person to guide the transit agency’s growth plans as its ridership increases.
“As we continue to set new records with TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express ridership and see rapid growth in the popularity of the Orange Line, this is the perfect time to bring Anette on board,” Andreski said. “Anette has an incredible understanding of the Fort Worth community and transportation. Her leadership will be instrumental in shaping our strategic initiatives and driving forward-thinking solutions for the future.”
Jeff Davis, Trinity Metro’s board chairman, said he was enthusiastic about Landeros’ appointment.
“Anette is a fantastic addition to the very capable Trinity Metro leadership team and will bring her unique perspective and talents to expand public transportation throughout Tarrant County,” Davis said.
Former TXU vice president Alex Jimenez, who once chaired both the Fort Worth and Dallas Hispanic chambers, said Landeros has been the most significant Latino business leader in North Texas in the last five decades.
“I think it is a big loss for the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber,” Jimenez said. “I think she’s been the best CEO/executive director for either Hispanic chamber within the last 50 years. I think she’ll do great things at Trinity Metro if they don’t get in her way.”
Landeros has strong business skills, significant community ties and a strong vision to accomplish her goals, Jimenez added.
“I think Anette has it all,” he said.
The San Antonio native moved to Fort Worth in 2009 and found ways to connect with the community. She became very involved in the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas, a statewide nonprofit organization, over the course of a decade including two years as state chair.
“Fort Worth has a really special way of getting you involved in the community,” Landeros previously told the Fort Worth Report. “It’s a city where if you want to be engaged, and if you want to meet like-minded people, and organizations, it’s super easy to navigate, I found.”
The mother of two children is married to Fort Worthian Joseph Landeros, who operates Casa Azul Coffee, a Northside coffee shop inspired by his father and his love of coffee.
Family is important to Landeros, who is the first in her family to get a college degree.
“At the end of the day, those businesses are really families, and they employ other families,” she told the Report. “If we can help somebody who has a dream and aspiration, a desire to build something for themselves, and we can help them either start it, or maybe it’s already started, and we can help them grow it, that means that their family is going to be better off, that means that their employees are going to be better off, they’ll be able to hire more people, which means more families are going to be better off.”
Landeros, who received her bachelor’s degree in public policy analysis from Indiana University Bloomington and a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Texas’ Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, began taking on management roles starting in her 20s.
Her civic involvement includes service as a board member of Fort Worth Sister Cities International and Carter BloodCare.
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