2007 Primer Paso FastTrac

Fall 2007 Fall 2007 Primer Paso FastTracPrimer Paso FastTrac®®

Fall Graduates & MoreFall Graduates & More

Graduados de Otoño y MásGraduados de Otoño y Más

2007 Graduate – Graduados 2007 Graduate – Graduados 20072007Luis Almanzar

Mayra Andrade

Graciela Boisvert

Nelson Leon Cataño

Ingrid Daniela Castro

Pedro Pablo De La Rosa

Esperanza Gomez

José Gonzalez

Juan Henriquez

Luis Jusino

Viviana Knowles

Wilma Lanza

Luis Lee

Johanna Lozano

Vanessa Melendez

Candido Moya

Pedro Moya

Aurora Paul

Yuleida Pirela

Juan Rosales

Ivette Solivan

Maria Sullivan

Irma Toledo

Ernesto Vega

Argentina Villanueva

2007 Graduate – Graduados 2007 Graduate – Graduados 20072007

Paula Ajucun

Federico Alcala Rivera

Santiago J. Alvizures

Maria Victoria Cano

Boris Gonzalez

Amparo Lagos

Maria A. Lopes

Juana Polanco

Leonardo Posada

Alvaro Reina

Fernando Restrepo

Sylvia B. Reyes

Victor M. Reyes

Francisca Rivera

Zoraida Rodriguez

Sohernis C. Sanchez

Carmen R. Serrano

Adriana Esther Simanca

Maria C. Solano

Franklin A. Solano

Dominga Taveras

Jorge Torres

Workshop draws fledgling Workshop draws fledgling Hispanic entrepreneurs Hispanic entrepreneurs

By Natalie MyersBy Natalie Myers PBN Staff Writer PBN Staff Writer

December 10, 2007December 10, 2007

In this follow-up to a 2006 PBN series on In this follow-up to a 2006 PBN series on the R.I. Small Business Development the R.I. Small Business Development Center’s Primer Paso business planning Center’s Primer Paso business planning workshop for Latino entrepreneurs, we see workshop for Latino entrepreneurs, we see how participants are doing a year later how participants are doing a year later and how the workshop has grown. and how the workshop has grown. ECAS Theater, the state’s only Latino ECAS Theater, the state’s only Latino theater group, has taken great financial theater group, has taken great financial strides since taking the strides since taking the Primer PasoPrimer Paso workshop last winter, artistic director workshop last winter, artistic director Francis Parra says.Francis Parra says.

Source: Providence Business News 12/10/07

Congratulations Congratulations GraduatesGraduates

Felicidades Felicidades GraduadosGraduados

A Great 2007A Great 2007

Un Gran 2007Un Gran 2007

Reconocen labor de médico Reconocen labor de médico colombiana colombiana

POR CLAVEHISPANA.COM POR CLAVEHISPANA.COM miércoles, 05 diciembre 2007 miércoles, 05 diciembre 2007

CCentral Falls, RI— entral Falls, RI— Esperanza GómezEsperanza Gómez es una prominente es una prominente médico de Cali, Colombia, quien desde hace varios años médico de Cali, Colombia, quien desde hace varios años reside en Rhode Island, donde ha desarrollado una intensa reside en Rhode Island, donde ha desarrollado una intensa y continua labor educadora sobre salud en la comunidad y continua labor educadora sobre salud en la comunidad latina, sobre todo desde su posición en el Centro de latina, sobre todo desde su posición en el Centro de Bienestar de Progreso Latino en Central Falls, así como a Bienestar de Progreso Latino en Central Falls, así como a través de su participación en programas de educación en través de su participación en programas de educación en diversas organizaciones y hospitales de Rhode Island.diversas organizaciones y hospitales de Rhode Island.

La doctora GómezLa doctora Gómez fue entrenadora del Programa M2B fue entrenadora del Programa M2B que se llevó a cabo en varias agencias con el patrocinio del que se llevó a cabo en varias agencias con el patrocinio del Departamento de Salud; ha participado en innumerables Departamento de Salud; ha participado en innumerables grupos de enfoque organizados con propósitos grupos de enfoque organizados con propósitos investigativos y educacionales, así como en múltiples investigativos y educacionales, así como en múltiples eventos, como ferias de salud y otras actividades eventos, como ferias de salud y otras actividades comunitarias, ya sea comunitarias, ya sea

Source: ClaveHispana.com 12/05/07

Reconocen labor de médico Reconocen labor de médico colombianacolombiana


Coffee entrepreneur taking her Coffee entrepreneur taking her lumps in stride lumps in stride

By Natalie MyersBy Natalie Myers PBN Staff Writer PBN Staff Writer

Like so many inventors, Like so many inventors, Nancy Zapata FaellaNancy Zapata Faella got got an idea for something new by contemplating an idea for something new by contemplating something old – in this case, instant coffees, teas something old – in this case, instant coffees, teas and sugar cubes. and sugar cubes. She thought there should be a way to combine She thought there should be a way to combine instant coffee, sugar and flavors such as mocha, instant coffee, sugar and flavors such as mocha, cappuccino or hazelnut into one cube that could be cappuccino or hazelnut into one cube that could be easily dropped into a steaming cup of hot water or easily dropped into a steaming cup of hot water or milk to create a convenient drink. Faella, who lives milk to create a convenient drink. Faella, who lives in Lincoln, thought it would be popular among in Lincoln, thought it would be popular among college students, military personnel and the college students, military personnel and the general public.general public.


Coffee entrepreneur taking her Coffee entrepreneur taking her lumps in stridelumps in stride

PBN PHOTO / MARY LAUZON NANCY ZAPATA FAELLA, was one of a number of local inventors who made presentations to investors at a recent R. I. Small Business Development Center forum.


Avila honored for SBDC services Avila honored for SBDC services to R.I. Latinos to R.I. Latinos

PROVIDENCE – Tomas Alberto Avila of the R.I. PROVIDENCE – Tomas Alberto Avila of the R.I. Small Business Development Center at Johnson & Small Business Development Center at Johnson & Wales University has been honored by the Wales University has been honored by the Association of Small Business Development Association of Small Business Development Centers with the 2007 ASBDC Rhode Island State Centers with the 2007 ASBDC Rhode Island State Star. The award, for what the group called “his Star. The award, for what the group called “his outstanding contribution and creative excellence,” outstanding contribution and creative excellence,” was presented at the ASBDC’s 2007 National was presented at the ASBDC’s 2007 National Conference in Denver. Conference in Denver. Since joining the R.I. SBDC last year, Avila – Since joining the R.I. SBDC last year, Avila – administrator of the Primer Paso FasTrac business-administrator of the Primer Paso FasTrac business-feasibility planning program – has also served as feasibility planning program – has also served as an instructor, business counselor and minority an instructor, business counselor and minority business specialist. business specialist.


Avila honored for bringing SBDC Avila honored for bringing SBDC services to Latinosservices to Latinos

TOMAS ALBERTO AVILA leads a Primer Paso class last September at the R.I. Small Business Development Center at Johnson & Wales University. He has been honored for his outstanding contributions with the 2007 ASBDC Rhode Island State Star.


Tomas A Avila recibe galardón Tomas A Avila recibe galardón de ASBDC de ASBDC

POR CLAVEHISPANA.COM POR CLAVEHISPANA.COM martes, 16 octubre 2007 martes, 16 octubre 2007

PProvidence, RI – Durante la Conferencia Nacional de la rovidence, RI – Durante la Conferencia Nacional de la Asociación de Centros de Pequeños Negocios (ASBDC, Asociación de Centros de Pequeños Negocios (ASBDC, siglas en inglés) llevada a cabo en Denver, Colorado, el siglas en inglés) llevada a cabo en Denver, Colorado, el empresario, autor y asesor de pequeños negocios, Tomás empresario, autor y asesor de pequeños negocios, Tomás Alberto Avila, recibió la Estrella 2007 por sus contribuciones Alberto Avila, recibió la Estrella 2007 por sus contribuciones con la filial de la organización con sede en Johnson & Wales con la filial de la organización con sede en Johnson & Wales University.University.

““EL COMPROMISO DE TOMÁS CON SUS CLIENTES Y LA EL COMPROMISO DE TOMÁS CON SUS CLIENTES Y LA COMUNIDAD MINORITARIA DE RHODE ISLAND NO ES COMUNIDAD MINORITARIA DE RHODE ISLAND NO ES MENOS QUE EXTRAORDINARIOMENOS QUE EXTRAORDINARIO”, dijo el Director en el ”, dijo el Director en el estado John Cronin.estado John Cronin.


Avila honored for bringing SBDC Avila honored for bringing SBDC services to Latinos services to Latinos

DENVER – Tomas Alberto Avila, of the DENVER – Tomas Alberto Avila, of the R.I. Small Business Development Center R.I. Small Business Development Center at Johnson & Wales University, has been at Johnson & Wales University, has been honored by the Association of Small honored by the Association of Small Business Development Centers, with the Business Development Centers, with the 2007 ASBDC Rhode Island State Star. 2007 ASBDC Rhode Island State Star. The award, for what the group called The award, for what the group called “his outstanding contribution and “his outstanding contribution and creative excellence,” was presented at creative excellence,” was presented at the ASBDC’s 2007 National Conference the ASBDC’s 2007 National Conference in Denver. in Denver.


2007 ASBDC Rhode Island State 2007 ASBDC Rhode Island State StarStar

Source: Association of of SBDCs 09/19/07

A path to the American dream – A path to the American dream – for the children for the children

By David Casey, Contributing Writer By David Casey, Contributing Writer For years, immigrants with little understanding of U.S. law, For years, immigrants with little understanding of U.S. law, custom and, frequently, without a firm grasp of the English custom and, frequently, without a firm grasp of the English language, have been staking their fortunes on restaurants, language, have been staking their fortunes on restaurants, groceries, liquor stores, laundries, salons and other small, groceries, liquor stores, laundries, salons and other small, service-oriented businesses. service-oriented businesses.

For some, it’s the means to an end: a lifetime of back-For some, it’s the means to an end: a lifetime of back-breaking work to ensure that their children have more choices breaking work to ensure that their children have more choices than they had. But more and more, says Tomas Avila, a than they had. But more and more, says Tomas Avila, a business adviser at the R.I. Small Business Development business adviser at the R.I. Small Business Development Center at Johnson & Wales University, immigrants are building Center at Johnson & Wales University, immigrants are building businesses to grow and pass on for generations. businesses to grow and pass on for generations.

““I think most immigrants start a business so their kids can get I think most immigrants start a business so their kids can get a good education and pursue a career of their choosing, but a good education and pursue a career of their choosing, but we are seeing more instances of children inheriting we are seeing more instances of children inheriting businesses and taking them to the next level, or parents businesses and taking them to the next level, or parents doing it themselves,” he said. doing it themselves,” he said.


2007 Family-Owned Businesses: 2007 Family-Owned Businesses: A PBN Special Supplement A PBN Special Supplement

PBN PHOTO / FRANK MULLIN JORGE BOROR, left, started helping his father, Jorge E. Boror, right, with hardwood floor refinishing jobs when he was a boy. Now, he has his own business.


PBN’s Myers joins 5 othersPBN’s Myers joins 5 othersin receiving Metcalf Award in receiving Metcalf Award

By Mark S. MurphyBy Mark S. Murphy PBN Editor PBN Editor

Providence Business News Staff Writer Natalie Providence Business News Staff Writer Natalie Myers was given one of seven Michael Metcalf Myers was given one of seven Michael Metcalf Awards for Diversity in the Media by Rhode Awards for Diversity in the Media by Rhode Island for Community & Justice this morning at Island for Community & Justice this morning at the Marriott Providence Downtown hotel. the Marriott Providence Downtown hotel. Myers was recognized, in the print weekly/bi-Myers was recognized, in the print weekly/bi-weekly category, for her series of stories on weekly category, for her series of stories on the the Primer PasoPrimer Paso business-development business-development program hosted by the Small Business program hosted by the Small Business Development Center at Johnson & Wales Development Center at Johnson & Wales University. University.


Thank You for Great Thank You for Great 20072007

Gracias por un Gran Gracias por un Gran 20072007Happy Holidays & Happy Holidays &

Happy New YearHappy New Year

Feliz Navidad y Prospero Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año NuevoAño Nuevo