Juan Pagan, President, Florida Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce
Juan Pagan, president of the Florida Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce, spoke with Invest: about the organization’s role in the growing and diverse small-business community. He discussed the ways the chamber helps small businesses navigate different requirements, connect with the community, and cross language barriers.
What were some of the key successes the chamber achieved over the past year?
The Florida Hispanic American Chamber was born in the early 2000s. It used to be called the Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In 2020, our board made the decision to change the name because we have representation and permanent residents of 22 different countries from Latin America. The idea is multiculturalism and multicultural business. It’s about how we can help educate small businesses and teach them the rules and regulations that need to be followed. One of the organizations we deal with is the Office of Equal Business Opportunity (OBEO). The budget of the county is very healthy, and is split between 60% construction and 40% services. The same thing goes with the cities. Just because you’re registered with the county, doesn’t mean you are automatically registered with the city. The school district has a similar budget and it’s about the same size as the budget for the county. The opportunity for small businesses to participate in this growth is huge, and we are here to help facilitate that. We also work very closely with the school district. The school district has 173,000 students who are future employees, future business owners, and future managers.
Diversity in the county means we’re growing in the direction of Miami and Broward. We want to make sure those opportunities are available to all the small businesses in our community. Fiesta del Pueblo is an event we have been holding for the last 11 years to help teach business education and grow the culture. It’s about how in a community that is this diverse, we can share and learn and work together.
What partnerships has the chamber formed with educational institutions or workforce development organizations to ensure skilled labor for local businesses?
We focus on teaching small businesses that they don’t need to be the big contract. They can be a subcontractor and comply with all the requirements. It’s about how we help businesses in the community to move forward. One of the main organizations we deal with is the Hispanic Pastors Association. There are over 400 Hispanic churches in the area. The members of those churches are employees and business owners. It’s a direct line to helping the development of the communities and moving them forward.
Are there specific strategies or initiatives in place to attract and retain talent, especially for Hispanic-owned businesses?
We hold a monthly networking meeting, where we coordinate and let people know the opportunities for employment and bidding that are available. They have to be registered with the city or county, and have an organization they want to participate with. We also deal with Hispanic radio. We volunteer to participate when new businesses are opening and do ribbon cuttings, grant openings, and an annual business expo. Fiesta del Pueblo is an example of that. Those create awareness of the opportunities for employment. That also improves the bottom line. We’re involving committees with the school district, county, and cities. It’s a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. We also work with the Small Business Administration and aid in member orientation, job listings, and marketing. The members of the organization can list their employment opportunities, publications they want to share, and how they can contribute to the rest of the business community.
What resources and strategies does the chamber provide to help businesses overcome challenges and capitalize on opportunities for growth?
We work with the opportunity for small business grants, but it requires a lot of bureaucracy. We provide methodical support in that endeavor. We don’t have all the answers, but we will find the right doors to knock on and find the answer you’re looking for as a small business.
What role does the county play in advancing business development and economic growth for the Hispanic community in Florida?
One of the organizations the county has is the Office of Equal Business Opportunity. They have employees who not only speak English, but also Spanish and Creole. Creole is the fastest growing language in Palm Beach County. People are relocating from Haiti to South Florida and Palm Beach County. We help the Hispanic community move forward and get to where they can contribute and create employment, pay taxes, and be successful.
What makes Palm Beach County a unique and attractive place for businesses to thrive?
I work for one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies and have worked in Puerto Rico, Indianapolis, Tampa, and Southeast Asia. I had the opportunity to learn about different cultures. When I came here in the late 1980s, the population of Palm Beach County was less than 1 million people. There has been so much growth, and the diversity has grown with it. It’s a place that fosters culture, growth, and learning.The county is about 1.6 million people now, of which in 2020, 24% of the population was Hispanic. Now that number is about 34%.
What are the chamber’s plans and strategies to continue driving economic growth and supporting Hispanic businesses across Florida?
Our priority is how to make people aware of what is available. If a small-business owner doesn’t speak English, they may depend on someone else to communicate and translate for them. We’re working very closely with the county and the cities, so that when they have a website, they are available in different languages. The owner of the small business needs to understand what the requirements are on the paperwork and legal forms in their own language. It’s not only about the bottom line, it’s how we help our community and move forward.
