Jhoni the Voice >www.jhonithevoice.com

Jhoni the Voice, Singer

What do you need to be a leader?
You need to have a vision. A point - where you see yourself leading and visualize yourself as that person. 

What inspired you in your life? 
GOD and the people around me, my environment inspires me.

Does being Hispanic/Latino have any influence on your business? 
Absolutely, my roots trace to the Dominican Republic and it’s something that I take everywhere with me.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to drive ahead? 
I try to not think about it, I have faith in myself and my team, I don’t think about the problem I think about the solution.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
It’s trying to get the public to listen to something brand new. Something that’s different to what’s on the radio, so it has to be done right. New music, it doesn’t happen over night but it can be done.

If you could change one thing about your business. What would it be?
I wouldn’t really change anything, but I’d do more for sure.

What was your childhood ambition? 
To be one of the greatest singers.

Tell us about three leaders that you admire.
Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln – they truly changed the world for many and definitely, Da Vinci, he was completely out of his mind and out of this world.

For business meetings, which do you prefer: breakfast, lunch, or dinner? 
Lunch

What sacrifices in your personal life did you have to make in order to become successful in your business?
Selling my life to people. A lot of artists don’t realize that your main product is your life and it’s truly a sensitive matter– but it’s real and it has to be done if you want to succeed as an artist.

What is your favorite quote? 
“It’s progress not perfection.”

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
No, definitely not for me.

Biggest mistake made?
Falling in love too young.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
Yes, because I don’t like the norm,  and since that’s one of the main qualities in an innovator, I know that it’s about stepping outside of the box to redefine something and I’m comfortable with that.

About the Artist:
See Jhoni biography here

Jasmine Villegas >www.jasminevmusic.com

Jasmine Villegas, R&B Singer

What do you need to be a  leader?This is a question that touches me deeply. To be a leader is more than anything else, to be responsible. A leader has to be humble, respectful and thankful to the fans, set the example. My greatest attribute as a leader is to touch, through my music, the lives of those abused and hopeless. To turn tears into smiles...

Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?

It definitely does. Being Hispanic/Latina, we're so empowering and strong in overcoming obstacles and being successful. It's definitely carried over into my music and career

Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?

It definitely does. Being Hispanic/Latina, we're so empowering and strong in overcoming obstacles and being successful. It's definitely carried over into my music and career.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
It's the knowledge of knowing that not everyone is going to like you, nothing is going to be easy, but it's about how bad you want it and how hard you're willing to work for your dreams and goals.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced?
The biggest challenge for me would have to be trying to find myself as a music artist and as a young woman. I've been faced with many challenges that force me to live separate lives, but it's definitely been more of a learning experience on how to handle life as an artist and as a person.

If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?
If I could change one thing about my life, it would be to find my sound faster. I feel like my fans have been waiting forever for music and it took me forever to find the perfect sound to give them, lol.

What was your childhood ambition?
It's a funny story. I actually wanted to be a vet. I love animals, I had so many animals growing up and I loved singing to them then one day my grandma puts me in a pageant and singing became bigger than I could imagine and opened so many doors.

Tell us about three people that you admire? It'll definitely have to be Alicia Keys because I loved how she was so beautiful and sexy, but never had to try - that was just who she was. Another is definitely my mother and my grandmother because they've taught me so much on how to be a strong young woman and to overcome so much.

For meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Haha. I'm not a morning person at all so dinner is always the way to go!

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
Well, I never got to go to regular school and have a personal life so it was definitely the sacrifice of giving up my childhood as well as not seeing my family all the time. We were separated majority of the time and it wasn't easy especially because family is everything to me. 

What is your favorite quote?
I have so many, but it'll have to be the quote I've loved since I was a little girl and that is "nothing's come to sleepers, but a dream."

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
I mean, in a sense. Most people don't ever support a path like I've chosen, but when it comes to what makes a person happy, that's all that matters.

Biggest mistake made?
The biggest mistake I've ever made was when I was going through a domestic violence relationship and not reaching out for help from my friends and family because I was scared.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
I'd like to think so. I always try to do things for my fans and be the voice for them. I want to be their big sister, their best friend, and have them feel like they're reading their diary when they hear my songs.

About Jasmine
Jasmine Marie Villegas (born December 7, 1993), better known as Jasmine V, is an American pop and R&B singer. After many years of pursuing a career in music, she was signed to Sony Music at the age of 16.

At the age of 9, Villegas accepted her first acting job, acting in a commercial for the hit animated feature The Land Before Time IX. Her first professional singing gig was at age 11, when she performed the national anthem for the Los Angeles Clippers. Later that year, she signed with Damon Dash and worked extensively on a debut that was slated to feature collaborations from label-mate and former Missy Elliott protégée, Nicole Wray.

At the age of 16, she was then signed to Sony Music. She made an appearance in Justin Bieber's music video for his hit single "Baby," and Bieber and Villegas were in a relationship which she revealed in an interview in April 2012. She also joined Bieber on the second leg of his My World Tour and on the Kids' Choice Awards with him. She also appeared in the Sean Kingston and Bieber music video for Eenie Meenie. Villegas has also written with musician Nick Jonas.

As of 2013, Jasmine V has signed to Interscope Records. Villegas appeared alongside American rapper Becky G, on the cover of Latina magazine's February 2014 issue. 

She released her debut single "That's Me Right There" featuring Kendrick Lamar from her EP on August 5, 2014 and charted at #39 on Billboard Twitter Top Tracks chart. Her debut EP was released on November 10, 2014.

Hispanic leaders demand more seats at the NYPD table

Hispanic community leaders came together Sunday to demand from Police Commissioner William Bratton more diversity and greater Latino representation in the NYPD.

Head of the National Latino Officers Association Anthony Miranda, a former NYPD lieutenant, was joined on ABC7's round-table discussion show ‘Tiempo’ by Councilman Antonio Reynoso, D-34, and Dennis Flores, a Brooklyn-based community activist.

The three discussed with host Joe Torres what they called the NYPD's "tremendous void" in Latino leadership.

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NAHREP Bringing Industry Leaders, Professionals and Stars Together for Annual Conference Celebrating Hispanic Business and Culture

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 1, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) is holding the 2014 NAHREP National Convention and Latin Music Festival just in time to close out National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th to October 15th. NAHREP is the leading trade association among Hispanics in the housing industry and is comprised of 21,000 members in 40 chapters around the United States. 

NAHREP's Annual Convention and Latin Music Festival is being held October 12-14, 2014 at the JW Marriott L.A. Live Hotel in Los Angeles. Approximately 2,500 participants are expected to attend the conference, which is focused on education, networking, awards programs and entertainment. 

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Hispanic leaders: Too few Hispanics among area's decision-makers

Hispanics might be the fastest-growing part of Central Texas' population, but they are under-represented as decision-makers heading up companies and startups, serving on corporate, nonprofit and community boards and representing the public in elected and appointed posts.

That's the consensus from a panel of Central Texas Hispanic business leaders interviewed by the American-Statesman.

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Hispanic-owned businesses growing more than twice as fast as national average

Hispanic owned businesses across the United States are growing more than twice the national average since 2007, according to a new report.

The Hispanics in Business 2014 study, by Geoscape, says Hispanic owned businesses will grow to 3.22 million by the end of 2014 and exceed $486 billion in annual revenue. The number of Hispanic businesses has increased 43 percent since 2007, the rate of all U.S. businesses increased 18 percent during the same period, and revenue that year was $358 billion.

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Hispanic leaders to be honored

The CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County, Dora E. Zuñiga, and retired Miller and MillerCoors official, Jose Ruano, have been named Hispanic Woman and Man of the Year by UMOS.

The two, along with others in the Latino community, will be honored at the 34th Annual Hispanic Awards Banquet, Saturday, October 11 at a dinner and reception at the Italian Conference Center, 631 E. Chicago.

Pedro Martinez, for 25 years the director of the office of Hispanic Ministry for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, his wife, Joan, and their three grown children, will be recognized as the Hispanic Family of the Year.

And Caroline Maria Dannecker, 19, will receive the Hispanic Youth of the Year award.

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Business leaders hope online university can boost Hispanic education

While more jobs in Texas require college degrees, the state's fastest-growing population group has struggled more than any other to make it to graduation.

The situation creates a growing skills gap that has business leaders looking to boost the number of Hispanic college graduates.

Just 17 percent of Hispanic adults in Texas have a four- or six-year college degree, according to the Lumina Foundation, a private organization that aims to expand access and success beyond high school. 

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What Julian Castro and Henry Cisneros share in common beyond their jobs in HUD and San Antonio

It was a déjà vu moment this week when HUD Secretary Julian Castro pledged to promote homeownership, calling it the “cornerstone of the American dream” in his first major policy speech.

Nearly two decades earlier, another former San Antonio mayor and fellow Latino – Henry Cisneros -- made the same pledge after he took over at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, casting homeownership as a pathway to the middle class.

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Salt Lake City to host largest gathering of Hispanic business leaders

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 News) - The largest gathering of Hispanic business leaders in the nation takes place in Salt Lake City next week as the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce holds it's annual convention at the Grand America Hotel September 21st-23rd.

On Tuesday the President and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Javier Palomarez visited ABC4's studios and explained how the convention wound up here.

"Salt Lake City competed against markets like New York City, Miami, San Antonio, Houston and Los Angeles," Palomarez said. "In the end, Salt Lake City won."

It won because business is booming in the Beehive State.

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Business leaders call for contract negotiations to resume

SAN ANTONIO - Leaders from two of the city’s largest chambers of commerce called for the city and the police and fire unions to return to the collective bargaining table.

Speaking at a press conference, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President Ramiro Cavazos said the city must act to curtail public safety healthcare costs, which have risen by 53 percent since 2009 and currently take up 63 percent of the city’s general fund.

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Houston most Hispanic part of country without Hispanic in Congress

Houston Hispanics had a reason to celebrate. They had won.

After decades of rapid growth in the local Latino population, Texas legislators had set up a new congressional district to elect someone from their community to Congress. The 29th congressional district, local Hispanic leaders said in August 1991, would send new breeds of Americans to Congress.

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Google Bets Big On Hispanics And Women

So far, I have gotten three urgent notes from friends this week, and they all sound something like this:  “Are you going to the event at Google?”  Said friends are all Latino, and all are in the tech ecosystem.  I was anticipating that the event — a coming out party for San Jose-based Manos Accelerator– would get some buzz.  But I underestimated just howmuch buzz.  It now feels like a coming-out party for theentire Latino tech community.  It’s the first must-go Latino tech event of the season.  It’s gonna be good.

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IRI Guides CPG Leaders on Marketing Effectively to Growing Hispanic Population

By 2015, the U.S. Hispanic market's purchasing power will total $1.3 trillion. To help CPG marketers connect with this diverse, rapidly expanding customer group, IRI has released a new “Point of View: Winning with the Hispanic Consumer Today." Leveraging IRI's deep insights and data, the Point of View will deepen marketers' understanding of the key disciplines required to succeed with Hispanic consumers, including creating a cultural connection, effectively engaging and activating shoppers throughout the path to purchase and gauging success through accurate metrics.

Today, Hispanics account for one in six Americans, or 53 million people. Hispanic families consume more media and are more responsive to media than the general population. Additionally, 70 percent of Hispanics are under age 40, making investment in this group a wise long-term proposition. 

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Why Utah? Hispanic Business on the Rise

In 1847, Salt Lake City's founder - Brigham Young - saw the city and was immediately stricken by its natural beauty; the fortress of high mountains, the bright white snow, green hills, clear rapid waters, and a cool breeze that carried the majesty of all creation. Brigham Young saw that valley, and famously declared, "this is the place."

Brigham Young was right. And today, 167 years later, the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) will make history again: Utah is the place for our 2014 National Convention.

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3 of World's Top 7 Billionaires are Latinos

The Forbes World's Billionaires.

It is the definitive list of the world's wealthiest people, profiling and ranking billionaires from 58 countries by their estimated net worths.

* net worth was calculated on March 2012
* source: Forbes

See full list here

Latino Community Bringing Business to Columbia

Columbia, SC (WLTX)- Main Street in Columbia will be filled with thousands of people trying out food and listening to music at the 11th annual Latin festival Saturday.

The annual festival brings together a community of people that is growing each and every year. One Columbia business owner says there is a need for more events and support for the Hispanic and Latino community.

"People came to me and asked if I could translate for them and talk with their insurance agents," said Raysa Sanchez.

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Growing Entrepreneurship in Latin America

Creating an entrepreneurial society from nothing is not an easy task. Of course the idea of ‘an entrepreneurial society’ as separate from general business is slightly misleading. Everywhere in the world ambitious people strike out on their own by opening shops, starting businesses or becoming sole traders.

But the development of an entrepreneurial society focused on a start-up scene is a different variation. The creation of tech-hubs, cultural interest in entrepreneurs and government-backed initiatives for innovative new businesses are all indications of a more advanced start-up culture – something that many countries crave

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Eduardo Ragasol Joins Mercer as Head of Latin America Business to Leverage the Firm's Strengths across the Region

Eduardo Ragasol has joined Mercer as Head of Latin America business reporting to Gaurav D. Garg, Mercer's Regional President, Growth Markets. In this newly-created role for Latin America, Mr. Ragasol will leverage the firm's significant market strengths across the region and drive Mercer's growth and profitability. He will be based in Brazil.

Mr. Ragasol was previously the President and General Manager in Brazil for Nielsen, a global information and measurement company.

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Faith Hope Consolo > www.elliman.com

Faith Hope Consolo, Chairman, Retail Leasing and Sales Division, Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
Determination and a great idea, not necessarily in that order. Entrepreneurs really are a breed apart.

What did inspire you to start your business?
My first endeavor as an entrepreneur was staring my own modeling agency in college. I saw a need, and being a bit of a performer myself at that time, figured out a way to fill it. Alas, I wasn't tall enough to be a model myself. But I sold the agency after graduation for a nice sum to start my life!
 

How did you finance it?
Given that I was acting as an agent, not manufacturing something, I could self-finance.
 

Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?
I'm not Hispanic -- I'm of Italian and English ancestry. But I work with a number of Latino and Latina businesses, and while I hate to generalize, I do find that there is a unique drive to succeed in this huge community. The U.S. is now one of the largest Spanish-speaking countries in the world, of course, and that opportunity galvanizes entrepreneurs.
 

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
What other decision is there? As have we all, I've faced obstacles both personal and professional -- losing both my parents before I was a teenager, being a woman with no business connections in a very male-dominated industry. I simply got up each day, worked harder than everyone else and didn't take no for an answer.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
Certainly the last economic downturn could have been a tremendous problem -- particularly in motivating staff. We went back to basics, pounded the pavement, and instead had some of our most successful years.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
Even more business for me??

What was your childhood ambition?
I wanted to be an actress -- and in New York real estate, we all are!

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
Larry Silverstein, Mary Kay, Salma Hayek

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Dinner! I avoid morning meetings if at all possible.
 

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
I work 24/7, and some friendships did sort of fade away. But I'm not sure 'sacrifice" is the right word -- it's more like prioritizing. My friend Elaine Wynn once said "You can have it all -- you just can't have it all, all at the same time." I've been a successful businesswoman, a wife, a stepmother, a mentor, student, friend .. just not all at the same time. I haven't sacrificed anything.

What is your favorite quote?
"Why not?"
 

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
No. I don't think I'm that unconventional, but being a pioneer is just what I've done. 

Biggest mistake made?
I'm not a person who regrets -- every decision, even one that doesn't work out, is a learning experience.
 

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
I do. There were few women in my industry when I started, and I work with a number of organizations to help increase our numbers. I started my own website years before many others in my business did. I opened a European office for my former company in the 1980s, when international brokerages were unheard of.
 

About the Company

Douglas Elliman's Retail Group is the industry leader in retail leasing, investment sales and consulting. We've brought some of the most famous names in international retail to the United States, and helped U.S. retailers expand abroad by offering site selection, negotiation, consulting and even visual merchandising services. See company site: www.elliman.com