Latino Innovators Kick Off Small Business Week at Montclair State

Latino small business owners and startups gathered on the Montclair State University campus on May 6 to kick off national Small Business Week with a forum hosted by the Office of U.S. Senator Cory Booker.

The forum provided about 150 entrepreneurs with the tools to build and showcase their businesses, with classes on access to capital, digital marketing strategies, procurement and import/export services aimed at helping the Latino small businesses grow and thrive.

“You are the future employers of our students,” said President Susan A. Cole. “Our students are the next generation of you.”

Montclair State is recognized as a national Hispanic-Serving Institution, highlighting the University’s growth and its commitment to providing underserved populations access to affordable higher education. About one-third of this year’s freshman class identify as Hispanic.

Small businesses across New Jersey represent 99.6% of all businesses, and Booker, the Democratic presidential hopeful, is a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. “We have work to do,” Booker said via video. “We know small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy.”

The NJ Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Commercial Service and Montclair State were co-sponsors of the networking event held inside the University’s Feliciano School of Business.

“There is a lot of synergy and collaboration that help both young people coming up and also provide you with the work force that you want to help you grow your business,” Cole said in her welcoming remarks.