This week WiredLatinos had the pleasure of interviewing busy entrepreneur and rising Latino online-business star, Tayde Aburto. Tayde is a small business advocate, Internet marketing consultant, Latino professional and entrepreneur. He is the Co-Founder and President of the Hispanic Chamber of E-Commerce (HISCEC), a B2B membership-based Hispanic Business association focused on providing tools and solutions to members to increase their presence online.Tayde Aburto holds a M.B.A. in Marketing from Tec de Monterrey’s Graduate School of Business Administration and Leadership (EGADE) and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Michoacán, San Nicolas de Hidalgo in Morelia, Mexico. Tayde has over 8 years of extensive work experience in both the public and private sectors. He is originally from Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico and currently lives in San Diego, California.
WiredLatinos (WL): What inspired you to create the Hispanic Chamber of E-Commerce (HISCEC) ?
Tayde Aburto (TA): The need to network with other Latino e-entrepreneurs, professionals and business owners online and to contribute to the growth of the online Latino business community.
Latino business owners are starting to get more involved with the use of the Internet as a business tool, the Hispanic Chamber of E-Commerce offers them an opportunity to promote their products and services online.
WL: What is HISCEC main purpose or goal?
TA: To foster the use of the Internet as a business tool among small businesses and to provide the services that small businesses need to grow a dynamic web presence supported by an active community of business owners.
WL: When was HISCEC born?
TA: HISCEC’s beta version was born in April 2008.
WL: Do you have another job besides HISCEC?
TA: The Hispanic Chamber of E-Commerce is my full-time job now.
WL: What role do you play within HISCEC?
TA: I’m the President & Marketing Director.
WL: Do you have any business partners?
TA: I do. My business partners are the IT master minds behind the whole operation, they are also involved in business development activities.
WL: Where do you see Latinos in business as a group heading online?
TA: To become one of the most representative and proactive group of business owners online. It has taken us a while to recognize the value of the Internet as a business tool but once we catch up with the trend, our growth will be exponential.
WL: Do you have any statistics you would like to share with us? How many members do you have?
TA: We have 1,003 members and we keep growing by the month.
WL: How have you gotten the word out about HISCEC?
TA: Word of mouth, organic search and we are just starting to use other communication channels to spread the word around about our organization. Our new services will help to keep the momentum going. The market is very competitive so if your business doesn’t offer a unique value proposition is very hard to make it grow. We are going to add new services soon but we are planning to keep innovating to keep our association moving at the pace of the market we are in.
WL: What has been the hardest challenge in creating your company?
TA: Lack of time and staff but we are just starting to turn things around.
WL: What has been the biggest reward about creating your company?
TA: When we see the Members of the Hispanic Chamber of E-Commerce closing deals, building their networks, reaching new markets, educating others, etc. thanks to their presence in our online business association.
WL: I heard about the Hispanic Business Showcase Conference this fall, can you tell me what it is and why did you start it?
TA: The Hispanic Business Showcase is a two-day business and technology expo focused on showcasing products and services offered by successful business owners. It’s a sales prospecting, relationship building, lead generating and networking opportunity for business owners in the San Diego and surrounding area. We decided to organize the event because we believe in the power of tradeshows as a marketing tool and we like to get engage in activities that offer value to our members, sponsors and strategic partners. We also want to let the business community know that working together we can make things happen. When things are going bad, you have two options: you can sit down and complain about how bad things are or take risks to try to make things better. We are always going to go for the second option.
WL: Where do you see HISCEC in 5 years?
TA: In 5 years HISCEC will be better established in the marketplace.
WL: What advice would you give someone who is just starting out in the online business?
TA: Have a business plan, work hard, connect with key people in your industry and make things happen.
WL: What do you do to stay focused and motivated?
TA: When you love what you do it is easy to stay focused and motivated. The passion that I have for what I do is my biggest drive.
WL: Have you read a good book lately?
TA: “Anywhere” by Emily Nagle Green.
WL: Good book. . . . . Where is Tayde Aburto going to be in 5 years? What will he be doing?
TA: Anywhere trying to make a positive impact on anyone around me.
