Minority-owned businesses can look to the Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NCHCC) for resources and an encouraging community to help them achieve their business goals. With a mission to promote, support and encourage the advancement and development of Hispanic and minority-owned businesses, NCHCC serves as a pillar for entrepreneurs in Napa — no matter the stage of career development.
Through mixers, events and direct mentorship, NCHCC offers unparalleled guidance to local business owners, whether they’re looking to launch a new business or grow their current one. Lee Miller, the Executive Director of NCHCC, is proud of the many ways the Chamber helps businesses combat challenges.
“Often, challenges begin with ‘not knowing what you don’t know,’ in terms of the steps to take to launch a new business,” Miller said. “Also, a significant challenge is not knowing how or where to access funds to launch a new business, whether it be grants or loans. Even though approximately a third of our members are non-Hispanic-owned businesses, those who come to us are offered guidance and assistance to whatever resources they may require.”
Involvement in NCHCC also offers a way for local entrepreneurs to support others and build camaraderie.
“Many of our non-Hispanic members join [NCHCC] because they simply want to help support Hispanic-owned businesses,” Miller said. “No doubt many of our Hispanic members very likely enjoy a sense of comfort and confidence from being among mostly other Hispanic business owners at mixers and seminars. For those who prefer, they can speak their native language more easily when sharing challenges faced and resolutions reached.”
Most of all, Miller takes pride in NCHCC’s dedication to diversity, inclusion and integrity.
“As a Board of Directors, we live our daily lives and conduct our own businesses and jobs in a manner that shows inclusion and diversity,” Miller said. “I am proud that our Board and our membership is composed of a representative mix of individuals — and the best part is that it occurred organically. It is common for boards to ebb and flow with new members coming on while some members move on. When we seek new Board members, we place our highest priority on an individual’s character, integrity and what they can contribute to the Chamber — not to meet specific quotas of diversity.”
For more information about NCHCC, visit https://napacountyhcc.com/.