Minority Business Person of the YEAR !
editor ’ s letter ¡ Hola my fellow Tampeños ...
... y welcome to another edition of Latin Times Magazine !
Here we are its almost summer again , and what a great year 2007 has been so far ! As we get ready for the summer , big things are in the works for Latin Times and the Latin ConneXions Business Networking Socials .
Latin ConneXions Business Networking Socials continue to GROW ! Tampa Bay ’ s longest running monthly Hispanic networking social celebrated its 2-year anniversary on Friday , April 6 , 2007 @ Mirage Restaurant and Lounge , located at 3605 W . Hillsborough Ave in Tampa , FL . The event was a huge success with two incredible performances , one by Tampa Bay ’ s own Frank Sinatra , Mr . Don Juceam PLUS the exciting premiere performance of Lannie Battistini and his Latin Jazz Quintet .
Our upcoming 1st Friday events include the 2nd Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration which will also be held at Mirage on Friday , May 4th , 2007 and our June 1 , 2007 event will be a “ Career Expo .” Companies interested in hiring bilingual employees should definitely take part in this event . Remember , if its 1st . Friday – you should be at Latin ConneXions !
PLUS Don ’ t Miss our BRAND NEW Latin ConneXions Networking Socials !
Our newest Latin ConneXions Socials will present networking events in Ybor City and Brandon !
Small Business Expo : Friday , May 18th , 2007 @ Centro Asturiano , 1913 N . Nebraska Ave ( Ybor City )., Featuring our Diversity Business Expo @ Centro Asturiano - 1913 N . Nebraska Ave in Tampa , ( Ybor City area ) 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM . Get your exhibit space today , we will be featuring over 25 companies , art and more !! FREE Parking , Complimentary Buffet - Great networking !
Premiere Brandon Event : Friday , June 15th , 2007 @ Quench Bartini @ 2016 Town Center Blvd , Brandon , FL . Featuring Casino Night – Come Network , play and have a great time at our new Brandon location ! Brandon event dates are : Friday , June 15th , Friday , July 20th , and Friday August 17th , 2007 .
For exhibit / sponsorship opportunities please email : JGonzalez @ thelatinvillage . com or call : ( 813 ) 901-5292 .
¿ Y Que Mas ? Very busy times are ahead - summer is here and you can expect to see quite a few festivals . Let ’ s not forget the beach - Tampa Bay is a great place for summer time fun . Check out our Action Avenue ( Calendar of Events ) page in this issue of Latin Times Magazine , for great outing ideas . Also , if you are not on our mailing list , please join so that we can keep you posted as to current events and local “ bochinche ”.
Que Dios los Bendiga ..... Tu Hermana y Amiga ,
Jolie González
Publisher , Editor in Chief
Tampa Bay Business Journal ’ s
Minority Business Person of the YEAR !
When last I wrote , it was the New Year and I was anxiously waiting to attend the 2007 Tampa Bay Business Journal ’ s Minority Business Person of the Year Awards Ceremony .
You see , my good friend and colleague , Ms . Celia Renteria Szelwach – who also happens to be an incredible writer – had nominated me for this coveted title … I was very honored – to say the least … Who wouldn ’ t be ? When her nomination made me a finalist , I felt I would burst … Then on Thursday , February 15th , 2007 … Burst I did !!
I sat at my table surrounded by a few close friends as we excitedly listened to the vibrant and energetic tones of Mr . Arthur Porter , former publisher of the Tampa Bay Business Journal , as he read the list of nominees … In a suddenly silenced room – stilled by that famous pause for dramatic effect … I heard the words …“ And the winner of the 2007 Minority Business Person of the year award in Business Services is --- Jolie Gonzalez of Latin Times Magazine !”
For several moments , I swear … I thought I was having the most fantastical dream ! “ Am I dreaming ?”… I thought to myself . Sure , I wanted to win , but I also recognized I had just competed with some very qualified and deserving individuals , AND WON !!!! I won …! WOOHOO !!! And it felt great !
I still remember my friends at the table repeating to me - “ Get up … You won !” “ I knew you were going to win !” “ You won !”… As I sat glued to my seat in a glorious hazy cloud of pride and elation , and then in one single moment , I became unglued from my seat and floated on that infamous cloud nine towards the stage . As Arthur Porter handed my award to me , I laughed as he jokingly whispered “ I never thought I would be giving this award to another publisher !” to which I quickly responded “ That ’ s why I thought I wouldn ’ t win !”
I walked to the podium and looked down at my award and in that one moment , before I even spoke a word , I could remember my first issue & my first cover … My first client & my first event ! My first fall and how I managed to get back up … The hard times & the great times ! All of it – and I felt so happy , I was doing what I loved most in life , and I was being honored for it and I was happy !
To my family , friends , clients and readers , thank you for always being there . – I am living proof ! If you set your mind and heart toward pursuing a dream – there ’ s absolutely nothing you cannot accomplish .
I urge you to challenge yourself everyday . Strive for more – everyday ! Reach for your dreams everyday … And everyday - your dreams will reach you !
6 LATINTIMES www . latin-times . com a publication for the elite latino