Great Deal of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Need New Leadership

Tayde Aburto

April 19, 2014

5 MIN READ

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In 2007, after conducting an exhaustive research and after experiencing a negative relationship with the local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I decided to engage in a task that could lead to build a business association that could be 100% results-driven. My business partners and I held extensive meetings to try to figure out the best way to define a business association that could avoid most of the mistakes and weaknesses of the traditional Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.

After several weeks of work, we decided to found the “Hispanic Chamber of E-Commerce”. The first difficult decision that we had to make was to choose the legal status of the organization. A non-profit was the natural way to go but that would have lead the Hispanic Chamber of E-Commerce to fail on its mission in the long term and we didn’t want that to happen so we moved forward with a private business association at the time. That decision had implications of its own, that meant that we were willing to invest our private resources into a concept that had a very strong social focus. A private organization with a business model that was going to demand a lot of hard work to get to the break-even point and profitability in the mid-term. Thanks to the support of my business partners, we moved forward with the plan. Six years later, after lots of ups and downs, we don’t regret a single bit about the decision we made. Specially now, after seen so many Hispanic Chambers of Commerce go through tougher times than the Hispanic Chamber of E-Commerce and our organization growing by the month.

The Hispanic Chamber of E-Commerce is now incorporated as a Benefit Corporation and its mid-term future is very attractive. I’ll write a post to specifically address that topic soon. Let’s get back to the topic at hand.

Many Hispanic Chambers of Commerce in the country are currently struggling, not just financially but also in terms of credibility and reputation. It is not because of the marketplace conditions or the lack of Hispanic-owned businesses, it is because of the lack of leadership at the Board level. A lot of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce have great staff that can’t move the agenda forward just because at the Board level the leaders can’t get things done. In some locations the members of the Board divided over no good reasons and then ended up creating a new “Hispanic Chamber of Commerce” or “Latino Business Association” or whatever just fuel their egos and to have another lousy business organization in the market. In some situations it has actually worked for the better because the new organization started to get things done.

Many Boards put all of their attention in the Chamber’s bank account. They measure a President’s and staff performance based on how much money they can collect from sponsors, events, membership and grants not by how many programs and/or initiative they roll out to help the business community or anything that positively impacts the growth and development of the members that they represent. Because of that, many Hispanic business owners are not interested in join their local Hispanic Chamber or participate with them at any level. That’s one of the reason why some of the top Hispanic markets in the country have Hispanic Chambers of Commerce with less than 1,000 members and Hispanic Chambers with 1,000+ members but with very low membership engagement.

This is a situation that has to change sooner than later because the Hispanic business community is growing at a fast pace, 3.2+ million Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S. depend a lot on their local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to address a lot of the issues that have a negative impact on their performance.

Let’s not forget that a chamber of commerce is an organization of businesses seeking to further their collective interests, while advancing their community, region, state or nation. Business owners voluntarily form these local societies/networks to advocate on behalf of the community at large, economic prosperity and business interests.

A Chamber of Commerce is not an entity that can’t be controlled by a small group of folks, in many Hispanic Chambers of Commerce that’s the case. They always select a staff that it is going to play their little game, they don’t care about the business community at large but themselves, they play their cards the best way they can to benefit their personal agendas and they do everything they can to keep political control even when they are not directly serving on the Board. That’s for me weak leadership, business people with no business values and a real shame to the Hispanic business community at large.

If you belong to a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce that it is not representing the interest of the membership at large, take action! Read the by-laws of the organization to learn about the different ways that you can make a change. You can play a real leadership role in your community by questioning the performance of your local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and staff. It’s not fare that large Hispanic business communities look nonexistent just because the leaders of the local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are just focused on themselves and their selfish agendas. A lot of their programs and initiatives don’t respond to the needs of the community and they only put together social events to justify sponsorship dollars to make sure that they get those dollars again the following year.

I’m not 100% satisfied with the results that we have accomplished with the Hispanic Chamber of E-Commerce so far because I know that we could be doing way better with more resources but I know that the organization is moving in the right direction. By the way, for the first time in the history of the organization, the Hispanic Chamber of E-Commerce is going to have an Advisory Board. A Board that it is going to be integrated by proactive small business owners truly committed to make a change in their communities.

If you are a Board Member of a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce that it is struggling financially, has a few members and has programs that don’t respond to the needs of the business community please do us all a favor, conduct a real assessment of the situation and take action to move agenda forward. It’s not right to use the Chamber’s resources to just befit your personal agenda.

It’s okay to have personal agendas and interests. It’s not okay to use a non-profit to just benefit yourself.

If you are a member of a weak Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, take action to make your leaders accountable for their actions. Challenge their leadership, organize the members to change things and make sure that new leaders work for all the members and not just for a few. If no one takes action because they are all satisfy with an average Hispanic Chamber of Commerce that’s up to the membership.

If you are a proactive business owner interested in helping the family business sector, join the Hispanic Chamber of E-Commerce. We need people like you helping to build a stronger family business sector in the Hispanic community.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Feel free to share your comments, I’m interested to hear your thoughts on this matter.

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Tayde Aburto

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    “Success only hits a moving target.” - @ramonwow #ramonwow 

Success loves movement. 

While others are: 

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    Your biggest breakthroughs?  Never planned. 

Always random. 

Think about it: 

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It’s like success lives in the cracks of your schedule. 

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Not when you’re pushing. 

Not when you’re trying too hard. 

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That’s where the magic hides. 

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    We doubt ourselves 
We second-guess ourselves 
We play small because we think small 

Meanwhile... 

The loudest people are winning. 
The mediocre are thriving. 
The unqualified are teaching. 
The selfish business leaders are leading. 

Not because they’re better. 

But because they’re bolder. 

So let’s flip the script: 

Instead of “Who am I to do this?” Ask “Who am I NOT to?” 

Instead of “What if I fail?” 

Ask “What if I succeed?” 

Instead of “I don’t know enough” 

Remember, nobody starts knowing everything. 

P.S.  DOUBT KILLS MORE DREAMS THAN FAILURE EVER WILL.

Let that sink in.

Have a nice weekend! 

#doubt #business #mindset
    In 12 months, you’ll wish you started today. 

Or In 12 months, you’ll be glad you did. 

Only one of those feels good. You choose which. 

P.S. What’s the one thing you’ve been overthinking? Type it below. 

Let’s break the pattern together. #smallbusiness #business #businessowner #businessmindset
    A Powerful Return to Community and Connection @exatec.tjsd 

Last night, the EXATEC Tijuana–San Diego Association hosted its first post-COVID networking event—and it was long overdue!

A heartfelt thank you to the 100 EXATECs who registered and an extra special thanks to the 82 who showed up to make the evening unforgettable. Your presence and energy are what make this community so special.

The event was a true success thanks to the incredible hospitality of @casasur_hacienda in Chula Vista, the delicious catering by @decabeza_el_unico Tacos, and the unique cacao-tasting experience provided by @xocolatlhouse. 

Our local EXATEC community is made up of professionals who work at some of the most influential companies in the San Diego–Tijuana region and entrepreneurs leading thriving businesses in industries such as:

- Aviation & Aerospace
- Engineering Services
- Financial Services
- Transportation & Logistics
- Technology & IT Consulting
- Manufacturing 
- Real Estate—and more.

Each EXATEC holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. from Tecnológico de Monterrey, one of the most prestigious universities in Latin America.

As a new executive board member, I’m committed to strengthening our network of over 4,000 EXATECs in the region. One of our top priorities is reconnecting and growing this vibrant community over the next few years.

Stay tuned for future events, and if you’re interested in becoming an “Amigo TEC,” send me a message! We’d love to share upcoming opportunities to connect, collaborate, and support the EXATEC mission in our region.

#EXATEC #Networking #CommunityLeadership #SanDiego #Tijuana #TecDeMonterrey
    Next time you’re in downtown Houston, take a moment to look up and around. Each mural has a story to tell. The “Big Art. Bigger Change” initiative is awesome. Congrats @houston! Great job. 

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    Most people hope to leave something behind.

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Legacy doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design.

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    Let’s Open the Door to a Life-Changing Opportunity

As the new President of the EXATEC Tijuana–San Diego Association, I’m asking you to join something bigger than all of us.

We’ve launched an ambitious yet deeply personal mission: raise $275,000 to establish a perpetual scholarship fund. This fund will comprehensively cover the education of high-potential students from our region and beyond so they can attend Tecnológico de Monterrey—one of the most respected universities in Latin America.

Link in BIO: https://tec.rs/EXATECTijuana-SanDiego-LDM-US

Why does this matter?

Because someone’s future is waiting, there’s a young person with the talent, drive, and heart to lead—but without the resources to get there. Together, we can change that.

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Kendrick Lamar didn’t just win the rap battle—he won the attention war. And last night, I saw it firsthand.

I took my family to his concert—and it was flawless.

From @sza to @justinbieber showing up as surprise guest, to the lighting, transitions, sound, timing—every detail was dialed in. Here’s what hit me:

This wasn’t just a concert. It was a masterclass in systems, execution, and brand power.

Kendrick’s recent beef with Drake may have grabbed headlines, but what sustained the momentum was something far more strategic:
A well-run operation behind the curtain.

As business owners, we can learn a lot from this:

1. Be Clear About Who You Are

Kendrick didn’t try to appeal to everyone. He made a bold statement and stuck with it.

2. Challenge the Norm

He called out the industry, made people uncomfortable—and gained global attention.
Don’t be afraid to say what others won’t. It builds trust with the right customers.

3. Build a Scalable System

That concert? It wasn’t “vibes”—it was process.
Processes create freedom. When your operations run smoothly, you can focus on impact.

4. Create Moments, Not Just Marketing

Kendrick’s team turned a concert into an experience people will never forget.

How can you turn a sale, an email, or a service into something memorable?

5. Stack Momentum

He didn’t stop after one diss track. He kept going—with strategy, story, and precision.

In business, consistency wins. Stay present. Keep publishing. Keep showing up. Bottom line:

Great marketing may get you noticed—but great systems keep you relevant.

Witnessing Kendrick’s performance with my family reminded me that when art meets structure, the results are unforgettable.

Make your business unforgettable.

#KendrickLamar #BusinessLessons #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessOwnerLife #MarketingStrategy #BuildYourBrand #BusinessInspiration #SystemsAndProcesses #LeadershipLessons #BusinessGrowthTips #CustomerExperienceMatters #PersonalDevelopment #BusinessWithPurpose #EntrepreneurJourney #LiveWithIntention #SmartMarketingMoves #FamilyAndBusiness #PerformanceDriven
    A heartfelt thank you to all the incredible volunteers of the Rady Children’s Poway Unit @rcha_poway for hosting such a beautiful and impactful gala in support of Rady Children’s Hospital.

Your dedication, compassion, and countless hours of hard work are making a real difference for the children and families who need it most. From the elegant details to the powerful mission behind it all, your efforts were inspiring.

The Poway Unit continues to be a shining example of community, service, and love — from gathering essentials for emergency families to preparing meals with care and kindness.

Thank you for turning your time and talents into hope and healing.

#Gratitude #RadyChildrensHospital #PowayUnit #TabletopsAndTea #CommunityLove #ThankYouVolunteers #MakingADifference #StrongerTogether
    Huge thanks to @samueladamsbeer and The Boston Beer Company for shipping this special delivery of the limited-edition Derrick White Ale all the way to San Diego! As a die-hard @celtics fan and a true beer aficionado, I couldn’t be more excited to crack one open.

This witbier with coriander, orange peel, rose hips, and tamarind is a tribute to bold flavor—and to one of the boldest athletes in the game, @dwhite921.

Cheers to the best basketball team in the world, the Celtics, and to one of the best beer brands in America. Let’s raise a glass to greatness—on the court and in the brewery!

#DerrickWhiteAle #Celtics #BeerLovers #Witbier #BostonPride #SamuelAdams #DWhite #CelticsNation #CraftBeerLife
    Look: 

In this grand game of life, we’re all stumbling forward in the dark. 

Sometimes we trip on a rock. 

Sometimes we fall into a pothole. 

But here’s the magic: 

Every time you pick yourself up, you’re a bit further along. 

Every misstep is a lesson. 

Every failure is a teacher. 

Imagine if you viewed each stumble as a victory dance. 

A dance that says, “I dared greatly. I lived fully. I learned massively.” 

So let’s embrace the journey, rocks and potholes included. 

Because the destination is just a mirage; the real treasure is the dance itself. 

P.S. What “victory dance” did you do recently? #InspirationDaily
#MindsetMatters
#LifeQuotes
#Resilience
#PersonalGrowth
#ProgressOverPerfection
#SuccessMindset
#EmbraceTheProcess
#JourneyNotDestination
    Success hits a moving target — and that’s the point.

You’re not meant to stay where you are.

Dream bigger. Move faster.

Stretch beyond what you thought was possible.
Every step forward brings you closer to the life you deserve.

Keep moving. Success is chasing you.

#StayHungry #LevelUp #SuccessIsAMovingTarget #success #GrowthMindset
    At @exatec , we believe in the power of connection, dreams, and building a legacy of pride and excellence — wherever we go.

We take on the responsibility of being ambassadors of the values and vision of Tecnológico de Monterrey, promoting continuous growth, innovation, entrepreneurship, and community spirit.

Today, more than ever, we look to the future with the firm conviction to transform lives, empower EXATEC talent, and strengthen the Tec’s name around the world — one connection, one action, one story at a time.

Let’s keep building the future, together.
#EXATEC #ProudlyEXATEC #LegadoEXATEC #OrgulloTec
    Soy EXATEC. Pertenezco a una comunidad que impulsa acciones para transformar realidades, fortalecer comunidades y generar un impacto positivo en el mundo. Invito a EXATECs en la región de Tijuana - San Diego a que se unan a la agrupación. Visiten EXATECTIJUANASANDIEGO.COM y se registran para que estén al tanto de las actividades que se estarán desarrollando. #EXATEC #Tijuana #SanDiego #Mexicali #Rosarito #Ensenada #ITESM #tecdemonterrey
    Time is your most valuable business asset.
Not money. Not followers. Not connections.

Time.
And it’s non-renewable.

Think of every hour as a $100 bill.
Would you still “spend” it the same way?
Would you give it away to distractions?
Or would you invest it in growth, strategy, and results?

You don’t need more time.
You need to treat your time like it’s capital.

The ROI is in how you use it.
Make the next hour count.

#TimeIsCapital #BusinessDiscipline #EntrepreneurMindset #HighROIHabits #FoundersFocus
    Tonight, I had the honor of attending the Peacemaker Awards, hosted by the National Conflict Resolution Center (@ncrconline) -an organization that understands one truth:

When people communicate well, communities thrive.

Conflict is inevitable at home, at work, in schools, and across neighborhoods. But when we use the right tools and conversations to uncover common ground, something incredible happens: People come together, problems get solved, and peace becomes possible.

That’s what NCRC is all about—training people to turn tension into trust and division into connection.

I’m especially grateful to the San Diego Foundation @sandiegofoundation and Board Member Rafael Castellanos @rafaelcastellanossd for inviting me to this important evening. Your leadership helps build bridges where others see walls.

Let’s keep working to create a world where more conversations end in understanding.

#PeacemakerAwards #NCRC #StoryOfPeace #CommunicationMatters #LiveOnMission #SanDiegoFoundation #Gratitude #BetterTogether
    1️⃣ Lead with Humility. Your team, your clients, your market—none of them owe you anything. Stay grounded. Gratitude keeps your ego in check and your culture strong.

2️⃣ Build on Character. No cutting corners. No excuses. Integrity becomes your brand. Take the high road—it attracts better clients, better partners, and long-term success.

3️⃣ Double Down on Discipline. Scaling isn’t about hustle—it’s about consistency. Routines, systems, and habits compound. That’s where real freedom and profit live.

🚫 Real talk: There are no reliable “shortcuts.” But these 3? They’re your unfair advantage.

💬 Which one are you mastering right now in your scaling journey?

#ScalingBusiness #BusinessLeadership #GrowthStage #BusinessOwnerLife #BuildToSell #ProfitWithPurpose #SystemsOverChaos #profit #business #smallbusinesstips #businessowner #businesswoman #businessman #businessmotivation

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    We doubt ourselves
    We second-guess ourselves
    We play small because we think small

    Meanwhile...

    The loudest people are winning.
    The mediocre are thriving.
    The unqualified are teaching.
    The selfish business leaders are leading.

    Not because they're better.

    But…

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