After a long chat, he signed his book, All the Riches of Job, handed it to me and said, “use it and share it.” The book reveals a life journey that is not only inspiring, but serves as a constant reminder that the biggest obstacles in life can be overcome.

Born in 1939 in rural Virginia and raised in a poor black neighborhood, Chuck eventually earned an eighth grade education. After a stint in the Army as a teenager, Chuck decided to do something with his life even though he felt he was “not qualified to do anything.” Although there was not much opportunity for young black men in those days, he was able to land a job stocking shelves at a department store, but soon began to despise it for its lack of challenge. Soon thereafter he quit and swore to himself never to keep a job he hated. Walking out of that store was a profoundly soul-liberating moment; that’s when he decided to try life in the big city and moved to New Jersey.

Now nineteen years of age and looking for work, Chuck recalls overhearing someone comment that “the mark of a good man is in his ability to take a negative and turn it into a positive.” Being a black man in the 1950′s was a big negative in the eyes of society and the law. However, Chuck realized, “with the civil rights movement just heating up, many corporations were working to integrate their management staffs. They were looking to hire that ‘first Negro manager trainee’.” In the upheaval of social change, he saw an opportunity.

Chuck had no diploma, but he did have “an innate ability to sell who I was and what I was capable of.” With that sense of self confidence, he strode into a Howard Johnson Restaurant and applied for a management position. He got a definitive “No”. Days later, he returned determined to ask again and the answer was “No”. A week later he was turned down again, but this time with a caveat – to read “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie, which he did that evening. When he returned the next day, Chuck got the job! After only nine months, he went from being a trainee, to managing his own restaurant, thus becoming one of his generation’s first African-American managers.

He respected his employees and found himself quite dependent on them, because in reality Chuck knew nothing about running a restaurant. He decided to overcome his lack of experience by immersing himself into every detail of the business. He enrolled in “the school of late nights, crash courses, and learning by doing.” His free time was spent tackling routine tasks such as dish washing, taking orders, food preparation, and learning to cook from an old chef. Eventually, Chuck became an expert restaurateur who understood the system from top to bottom and in between. With a successful management approach he built a strong foundation and a well paying career, plus gained a new found respect among his mostly white peers.

Despite his success, Chuck felt “empty inside” until he met his beloved Kathy Jotz, who became his wife and partner in business. By marrying Kathy (who was white), he challenged the miscegenation laws that existed in our nation at that time. After their daughter Leah was born, the entrepreneurial couple dove into the tomato business. The idea was to cut the cost of tomatoes by selling them directly to restaurants, while bypassing the large produce distributors. With only $250 of start-up capital in his pocket and a short window of free time, Chuck needed to find customers willing to work with him. Yet each supplier he spoke with turned him down, one after the other, doubting his idea and refusing to sell him their tomatoes. With perseverance he drove around Richmond, VA for hours trying to find just that one supplier willing to sell – and finally he found one! Right on the spot, Chuck purchased five cases of tomatoes and headed back to Charlottesville, VA, where he sold them all.

To them, adversity was only an opportunity to seek new possibilities. After eight years of tackling many arduous obstacles and turning them into successes, Chuck and Kathy’s produce company expanded to grossing an amazing $11 million a year. Both were committed to constantly learning all aspects of the business. It was crucial to know their competitor’s angle and the needs of their customers. Chuck explains that his bottom line for success was networking, which became his new motto: “We sell personality, not produce.” It was about giving a good bargain, getting to know the customers and establishing trust. The company was later sold so Chuck could place more of his focus on his real estate investments. Today, his son Charley along with his sister Leah, now run the family’s real estate empire.
According to Chuck’s autobiography, Kathy died in 1989 at the age of forty-two due to a severe asthma attack. Several of Chuck’s companies were later named after Kathy to honor her memory. However, Chuck is no longer missing his dear wife. In the words of his obituary in The Daily Progress, “Charlottesville entrepreneur and author Chuck Lewis, 70, left for his final sales call on Monday, May 3, 2010, and will reunite with his wife, Kathy, in the great produce warehouse beyond.”

Most people who ever had a chance to get to know Chuck held very positive opinions of the man. Not just for his great personality, but because he always listened to other people’s ideas, and cared enough to give other budding entrepreneurs the chance to get started with either a micro-loan or facilitating access into one of his many real estate spaces. Aside from being a self made multi-millionaire, recipient of the Entrepreneur Award in 2005, mega real estate developer, and proud owner of York Place Building in downtown Charlottesville, Chuck was also a loving husband, loyal friend, dedicated father, and a true icon of enterprise.

I personally want to express how happy I am for having had my brief encounter with Chuck. The wisdom and advice he shared with me was enough to lift me up when I needed encouragement on my journey of launching Forward/Adelante. Thank you, Chuck, for being committed, never giving up, and always inspiring others to overcome their own hardships.

Olga Morse of Forward/Adelante Magazine and Rocio Smith present Henry Weinschenk with the 2013 Excellence in Business Award at CHO Airport Tuesday evening at the 2nd annual marketing to Latinos Networking Event. Credit to The Daily Progress/Melody Robbins Photography

Source: The Daily Progress | April 23, 2013
In the early 1980s, when Henry Weinschenk opened Express Car Wash, it was the latest twist in a career that included lots of “different things at different times.”

After a successful run at UPS — the shipping giant — that spanned nearly a decade, Weinschenk said starting the small business seemed like the right move.

“I knew a little about car washes … and I had learned a lot of about the service industry when I was with UPS,” he said. “I like to kid sometimes that I got my MBA from UPS … then I have to look at [people] and say, ‘It’s not what you think — it’s the parcel company.’”

For his entrepreneurship, enterprise and prosperity in the Charlottesville area, Weinschenk was honored with the 2013 Excellence in Local Business Award. Forward/Adelante, a bilingual business journal that covers Central Virginia, presented the honor Tuesday night during a Marketing to Latinos networking event at the Charlottesville Albemarle Airport.

In addition to his “UPS degree,” Weinschenk also earned a degree in engineering technology from Otto Krause Technical College in Buenos Aires. A native of Argentina who gained U.S. citizenship in 1970, his work with UPS included establishing the company’s first overseas subsidiary and setting up distribution facilities.

“We selected Henry, CEO of Express Car Wash Company for 30 years, because his company has built an excellent reputation through quality service,” Olga Morse, publisher of Forward/Adelante, said in an award announcement. “By fulfilling the needs of local residents and earning their trust, Express Car Wash has achieved sustainable growth and prosperity.”

“I have lived the American dream and this is just one more milestone in my American dream,” Weinschenk said after receiving the honor on the airport’s upper level.

“He is a phenomenally interesting guy, incredibly committed to this community, a fierce advocate for entrepreneurs and business, and we’re honored to have him as a member of the chamber,” said Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce President Timothy Hulbert.

Speaking before he was publicly honored, Weinschenk said starting and sustaining a small business has two key elements.

“You have to have the right combination of previous experience and education that you somehow can leverage to start something and hopefully be successful with it … And also being at the right place at the right time and knowing when the right time is.”

Although economic challenges persist, the American dream is something people still enthusiastically strive for, said the event’s key speaker, Peter Rodriguez, a professor and chief diversity officer at the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia.

“Immigrant groups, like first- and second-generation Latinos, are often the strongest advocates and believers in the promise of American progress,” said Rodriguez.

“When you talk about the American dream,” Rodriguez continued, “what you really mean is the embodiment of America’s open system where if you have initiative and talent, you’re able to thrive … A lot of middle- and lower-income Americans see their prospects as dimmer than before and that is an extraordinary risk for any economy in the long run.”

But on the bright side, Rodriguez added, America’s strong existing entrepreneurial framework will enable sustainable economic recovery.

“I think relative to other high-income nations, we have a good competitive framework for the nourishment of entrepreneurship,” he said.

Tuesday’s event was sponsored by about a dozen local businesses and organizations. Proceeds from the event benefited the Community Investment Collaborative’s micro-lending scholarship fund.

© 2013 The Daily Progress. All rights reserved.

We are so grateful to our sponsors and partners for helping Forward/Adelante foster these connections among our diverse community. Many thanks to:

We designate a portion of the proceeds from each Chapter 6 Networking event to support a deserving local non-profit organization. Our wonderful guests at CHO helped us raise funds for the Community Investment Collaborative (CIC) Micro-Lending Scholarship Fund.

Click here to view the entire collection of event photographs at Memories by Melody.

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Urpi boasts an exceptional investment career, holding a degree from the Graduate School of Finance at New York University and working for Lehman Management Group, Smith Barney Capital Management, and now Cutler Investment. He was part of the team that built the original Lehman Indices (now the Barclays Capital Aggregate Bond Indices), the industry’s standard to measure a bond’s success. However, as Charlottesville recovers from the economic downturn of the last decade, Urpi is turning his focus towards educating members of the community about investment. “Education is the road to fulfillment and personal gratification,” says Urpi. “Young workers need to understand the power of compounding and the thrill of watching one’s hard earned money grow.”

As the son of Cuban immigrants, Urpi experienced the hardships of immigration in a drastic sense. In order to escape Castro’s government, his parents had to send him to Spain—with the caveat that they remained in Cuba. Urpi was only five years old at the time. Eventually his parents were able to re-locate to Miami and bring Urpi back to the United States and his family. Following a move to New York, his father found work in the garment industry, assembling fabrics and clothing piece by piece. Urpi’s childhood experience and strong ties to his family underscore two important ideals he tries to embody in the business world: the importance of hard work and the willingness to find what you excel at, what your passion is. For Urpi, this passion is mathematics and computer programming, propelling him into a successful finance career. Now, however, he wants to cultivate these values in others by demonstrating how crucial sound investing can be.

Multiple times during our interview, Urpi stressed that saving, as well as creating a viable financial plan for one’s future, benefits both individual families and the community as a whole. By finding small amounts to save now, by talking to professionals in the industry, a person invests in his or her future while also investing in the Charlottesville community. “If I can educate the youth on the importance of saving and investing, and get them to create an investment discipline, then as adults they will have the capacity to help those in their community that did not have the wherewithal or foresight to save and invest as they did.”

Urpi understands the confusing aspects of investment markets to someone outside the industry. He likened investment consulting to asking your doctor about the chemicals in a particular drug—if you don’t understand what you are doing, it could be very harmful. The first step is simply talking to someone, asking an expert how you can construct a personal savings plan for yourself or your business.

In a way, Urpi wishes to be this kind of investment doctor or chemist for small businesses in the Charlottesville area. Leaving a comfortable finance firm, Urpi started his own company in 1995, Cyprus Asset Management. The defining moment of his career has helped him recognize the hard work and sheer courage it takes to start a small business, and he believes that educated investments are an indisputable tool in these endeavors. “In the end, the more we do for ourselves, the less we have to depend on others—in particular the government—this leads to a society that achieves greatness through self-dependence, hard work, knowledge, and compassion.”

So in a way, a penny saved is a penny earned, but it’s also a penny that can help those around you.

-Xavier Urpi can be reached at Cutler Investments, by phone at (434) 202-8295 or by email at xavier@cutler.com.

Xavier Urpi

Por David Fall III

“Un centavo ahorrado es un centavo ganado.” Este dicho de Ben Franklin es enseñado a los niños cuando por primera vez tienen una alcancía, y fue el consejo fundamental que me dio el experto en inversiones Xavier Urpi, jefe de la sede de Cutler Investment en Charlottesville.

Urpi hace alarde de una carrera excepcional en el campo de las inversiones, con un título en Finanzas de la Escuela de Postgrado de la New York University y habiendo trabajado para Lehman Mangagement Group, Smith Barney Capital Management, y actualmente para Cutler Investment. Urpi fue parte del equipo que elaboró los Indices originales de Lehman (que ahora son los Barchalys Capital Aggregate Bond Indices), patrón que la industria usa para medir el éxito de un bono. Sin embargo, mientras Charlottesville se recupera de la recesión de la última década, Urpi se está concentrando en educar a los miembros de la comunidad acerca de las inversiones. “La educación es el camino a la realización y satisfacción personal,” dice Urpi. “Los trabajadores jóvenes necesitan entender el poder de calcular y la emoción de ver crecer el dinero que uno se ganó tan duramente.”

Siendo hijo de inmigrantes cubanos, Urpi experimentó en forma drástica la dureza de la inmigración. Para poder escapar del gobierno de Castro, sus padres tuvieron que enviarlo a España –con el compromiso de que ellos permanecieran en Cuba. Urpi tenía solo 5 años. Finalmente sus padres pudieron reubicarse en Miami y traer a Urpi de España a los Estados Unidos, y al resto de su familia. Luego se mudaron a Nueva York, donde su padre encontró trabajo en la industria de la moda, cosiendo tela y ropa pieza por pieza. Las experiencias de su niñez y los fuertes lazos con su familia enfatizaron dos ideales importantes que Urpi trata de plasmar en el mundo de los negocios: la importancia de trabajar duro y el deseo de encontrar aquello en lo que uno es más sobresaliente y que nos apasiona. Para Urpi, esta pasión son las matemáticas y la programación de computadoras, las cuales lo han impulsado hacia una exitosa carrera en las finanzas. Sin embargo, el quiere ahora cultivar estos valores en otros demostrando cuán crucial puede ser el invertir.

Muchas veces durante nuestra entrevista, Urpi insistió que ahorrar, al igual que crear un plan financiero viable para nuestro futuro, es de beneficio tanto para cada familia como para la comunidad en conjunto. Siguiendo los consejos de los profesionales del sector y tratando de ahorrar pequeñas cantidades, una persona está invirtiendo en su futuro mientras también está invirtiendo en la comunidad de Charlottesville. “Si yo puedo educar a los jóvenes en la importancia de ahorrar e invertir, y puedo lograr que se habitúen a una disciplina de inversión, luego como adultos ellos tendrán la capacidad de ayudar a aquellos en su comunidad que no tuvieron los recursos o la precaución de ahorrar e invertir como ellos lo hicieron.

Urpi comprende que para alguien que esta fuera del sector de los negocios el mercado de las inversiones puede ser confuso. El compara una consultoría de inversiones a cuando uno le pregunta a su médico sobre los químicos en un medicamento en particular. Si no se conoce el medicamento que se está usando se puede causar mucho daño, de la misma manera pasa en las inversiones. Entonces, el primer paso es simplemente hablar con alguien, preguntarle a un experto como puedes construir un plan de ahorros para ti mismo o para tu negocio.

En cierta forma, Urpi desea ser un tipo de “doctor en inversiones” o “un químico” para pequeñas empresas en el área de Charlottesville. Urpi inició su propia compañía en 1995, Cyprus Asset Management, después de dejar su puesto en una financiera bastante conveniente. El momento más definitivo en su carrera le ha ayudado a reconocer el trabajo duro y el coraje que toma empezar un pequeño negocio, y él cree que el invertir con conocimiento de lo que se está haciendo es el arma indiscutible en este empeño. “Al final, cuanto más hacemos por nosotros mismos, menos tenemos que depender de otros -principalmente del gobierno- esto conduce a una sociedad que alcanza la excelencia a través de ser independiente, trabajar duro, tener conocimiento, y compasión.”

Así que en cierta forma, un centavo ahorrado es un centavo ganado, pero además es un centavo que puede ayudar a los que te rodean.

- Xavier Urpi puede ser contactado en Cutler Investments al teléfono (434) 202-8295 o a través del siguiente correo electrónico: xavier@cutler.com

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Deal loyalty is simple and straightforward – the company buys a customer for the length of the promotion. Clients will give you the business based on price, free offers, rebates, coupons, etc. In contrast, relationship loyalty occurs when customers keep coming back for other reasons besides price, for example outstanding customer service or special rewards.

Customer loyalty programs are most effective when they are geared toward maintaining existing happy clients by rewarding their loyalty with additional incentives. Despite the proliferation of rewards programs, customer loyalty cannot be bought. It’s earned with trust and respect. After all, you can’t force people to like you. That said, you should do everything within your power to make sure your customers turn into raving fans, so here are some tips:

The goal of customer rewards programs is to keep happy customers, who will return to purchase again and again, and persuade others to use your company’s products or services. Remember to be clear with your program: say what you mean, mean what you say, and do as promised and you will have loyal customers. And if you can personalize customer touch points, you will turn customers into raving fans.

About The Author

Gerardo Jimenez works for V.I.D.A. With more than 25 years of combined experience in the corporate, legal and startup sectors, our team helps visionaries develop themselves and their businesses to have a greater impact. Based on our experience, we believe that there is a V.I.D.A. Factor that determines failure or success. What is the V.I.D.A. Factor? To find out, visit us at www.vidafactor.com.

Cuatro Consejos Para Crear la Lealtad del Cliente y Mas Ganancias

Por Gerardo Jimenez

Como clientes, cada uno de nosotros tenemos nuestros almacenes favoritos. Sentimos que nos brindan un gran producto o servicio y a cambio estamos encantados de proporcionar buenas evaluaciones, testimonios, divulgarlos a nuestros amigos y familia, y por supuesto continuamos comprando allí. Este comportamiento se conoce como la lealtad del cliente. Hay dos tipos: lealtad por transacción y lealtad por relación. Desde nuestro punto de vista, las empresas pueden y deben atraer a los clientes en ambos niveles. Y mientras que el primer tipo puede conseguirle nuevos clientes, es este último el cual va a mejorar las ganancias y crear clientes incondicionales.

La lealtad por transacción es simple y directa – la empresa compra un cliente durante el tiempo de la promoción. Los clientes compran basados en precio, ofertas gratuitas, descuentos, cupones, etc. En contraste, la lealtad por relación ocurre cuando los clientes siguen regresando por otras razones diferentes al precio, por ejemplo un servicio al cliente excepcional, premios o recompensas especiales.

Los programas de recompensas son más efectivos cuando se orientan a mantener clientes existentes felices, y buscan premiarlos por su fidelidad a través de incentivos adicionales. A pesar de la proliferación de programas de recompensas, la lealtad del cliente no se puede comprar. Se gana con confianza y el respeto, pues al fin de cuentas no se puede obligar a la gente que le caiga bien y le guste su empresa. Dicho esto, debe hacer todo lo que esté a su alcance para asegurarse de que sus clientes se conviertan en clientes incondicionales, he aquí algunos consejos:

El objetivo de los programas de recompensas es mantener a los clientes felices, los cuales volverán a comprar una y otra vez y ademas van a persuadir a otros a utilizar los productos o servicios de su compañía. Recuerde de ser claro con su programa: comunique lo que ofrece, sea sincero, y lleve a cabo lo prometido; así obtendrá la lealtad del cliente. Y si usted puede personalizar los puntos de contacto con el cliente, logrará convertirlos en clientes incondicionales.

About The Author

Gerardo Jimenez trabaja para V.I.D.A. Con más de 25 años de experiencia en el sector empresarial, legal, y con empresas en fase de arranque (startups); nuestro equipo ayuda a visionarios con el desarrollo personal y de sus empresas a fin de que generen un mayor impacto. Basados en nuestra experiencia, creemos que el Factor V.I.D.A determina el fracaso o éxito. Que es el Factor VIDA? Visítenos en www.vidafactor.com

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Innovation can be applied to any aspect of the business, from the value proposition to the business model itself. And, that’s the good news: Innovation can be applied to any aspect of your business.

The bad news… if you don’t innovate you will go out of business, or at the very least, you will lose market share.

Innovation can be viewed as reducing the gap between client expectations (needs) and the performance of your product or service, ultimately driving growth upwards.

So, when was the last time you looked at your business model, product or service and innovated?

To innovate you need to be creative, but it doesn’t mean you have to create something new altogether. You may be able to adapt  what works from other business models, products or services.

Once you have an innovative idea for your business, you will need to develop new value to clients through solutions that meet their needs in new, better, and more efficient ways. This translates into providing a good product or service – better than the existing ones – for which your clients are willing pay.

Even more good news: Your clients can be a great source of innovation if you have developed customer loyalty. But that’s a topic for another day….

About The Author

Gerardo Jimenez works for V.I.D.A. With more than 25 years of combined experience in the corporate, legal and startup sectors, our team helps visionaries develop themselves and their businesses to have a greater impact. Based on our experience, we believe that there is a V.I.D.A. Factor that determines failure or success. What is the V.I.D.A. Factor? To find out, visit us at www.vidafactor.com.

About The Author

Gerardo Jimenez trabaja para V.I.D.A. Con más de 25 años de experiencia en el sector empresarial, legal, y con empresas en fase de arranque (startups); nuestro equipo ayuda a visionarios con el desarrollo personal y de sus empresas a fin de que generen un mayor impacto. Basados en nuestra experiencia, creemos que el Factor V.I.D.A determina el fracaso o éxito. Que es el Factor VIDA? Visítenos en www.vidafactor.com

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Every movie ever made in any language, anytime, day or night….

How to Get started

The Internet has changed the way we promote our businesses, in any language, anytime, day or night. However, I wanted to share with you some practical tips to get you started.

Video is a new, powerful weapon in your marketing arsenal. Don’t be afraid to use it to your advantage.

Do you have a question or comment about this article? Contribute to the discussion by posting a comment below.

About The Author

Fernando Beltran is the CEO of Identika, a provider of digital branding solutions in Virginia. He is also an award-winning film director and producer.

About The Author

Fernando Beltran es CEO de Identika, proveedora de soluciones digitales en Virginia. Fernando ha recibido premios como director y productor de películas.

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Photos Rule Social Media

In a recent workshop, John Freeman of the CACVB explained that photos are by far the most popular thing on Facebook. He should know: Experience Charlottesville is one of the top Facebook tourism pages in the world.

Make it a habit to take photos often. Over time you’ll build up an archive of your work, successes, and special moments. (Photo of the author at work.)

John reminded us that coming up with photos doesn’t have to be hard. You don’t need a professional photographer. Your own snapshots are fine, especially when they show something that’s happening “right now.” If you need more photos, check out Flickr.com. Hundreds of photographers offer their work free to use with permission.

Is That a Camera in Your Pocket?

About 75% of cell phones now have cameras. If you don’t have one, I guarantee one of your employees or loyal customers does. Next time you want a photo, just ask!
Make it a habit to take photos often. Some of your snapshots will be duds, but don’t get discouraged. Over time you’ll build up a great-looking archive of your beautiful work, successes, and special moments.

Good Enough to Eat

A word of caution: pictures are powerful, so be sure to use photos that make your company and products look good. I once snapped a photo of ravioli in pistachio sauce, and someone on Facebook said it looked like…. poop. Not a proud moment for me, but I learned a valuable lesson.
So, how will you start using pictures to tell your story? Tell us about it in the comments below!

About The Author

Ann Marie Hohenberger is FORWARD/Adelante’s web administrator and copywriter

Cuente Su Historia Con Fotos

Por Ann Marie Hohenberger

Imagínate esto: un fondo blanco cubierto con palabras. Y … nada más.
¿Estás aburrido todavía? Créeme, todo el mundo lo está – incluyendo tus clientes potenciales.
Afortunadamente, hay una solución; Usa imágenes para contar la historia de tu empresa. Puedes comenzar hoy en tu página web, en tus correos electrónicos y en las redes sociales.

Recientemente, en un taller, John Freeman, del CACVB explicó que las fotos son lo más popular en Facebook. John lo sabe: “Experience Charlottesville” es una de las mejores páginas de turismo de Facebook a nivel global.

Forma el hábito de tomar fotos a menudo. Con el tiempo construirás un gran archivo de los aspectos de tu hermoso trabajo, los éxitos y los momentos especiales. (Foto de la autora en trabajo.)

John nos recordó que subir las fotos no es difícil.  No necesitas un fotógrafo profesional. Tus propias fotos son buenas, sobre todo cuando muestran algo que está sucediendo “en el momento”.  Si necesitas más fotos, echa un vistazo a Flickr.com. Cientos de fotógrafos ofrecen su trabajo gratis y autorizado.

Tienes una cámara en el bolsillo?

Alrededor del 75% de los teléfonos celulares ahora tienen cámaras. Si no tienes una, te garantizo que uno de tus empleados o clientes leales la tienen. La próxima vez que quieras una foto, simplemente pídeles la cámara!
Forma el hábito de tomar fotos a menudo. Algunas de las instantáneas pueden tener faltas, pero no te desanimes. Con el tiempo construirás un gran archivo de los aspectos de tu hermoso trabajo, los éxitos y los momentos especiales.

Llamativo y apetecible

Una palabra de advertencia: Las imágenes son poderosas, así que asegúrate de usar las fotos que hacen que tu empresa y sus productos luzcan bien. Una vez saque una foto de los raviolis con salsa verde de pistacho, y alguien en Facebook dijo que parecía …. caca. No es un momento de orgullo para mí, pero he aprendido una valiosa lección.
Así que, ¿cómo vas a empezar a usar imágenes para contar tu historia? Cuéntanos acerca de ello en tus comentarios.

 

About The Author

Ann Marie Hohenberger is FORWARD/Adelante’s web administrator and copywriter

If you are looking for a business networking event that will help you make valuable connections, put you in touch with like-minded entrepreneurs and potential customers, and provide you with a venue to learn from successful business leaders, then you must attend our Second Annual Marketing to Latinos networking event.

Presented by Forward/Adelante and Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (CHO)

When: Tuesday, April 23rd, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm
Where: CHO’s upper terrace, located at 100 Bowen Loop, Charlottesville, Va. 22911

“Check CHO First” $500 Giveaway

Enter your business card on April 23rd for a chance to win CHO’s $500 travel package including a $400 US Airways gift card, a week of parking and a $50 gift card to the airport market. We will draw a winner during the event! Next time you fly, Check CHO First to see just how easy and convenient your trip can be.

Excellence in Local Business Award

Our team at Forward/Adelante is thrilled to recognize Henry Weinschenk as an excellent role model for local enterprise! Please join us at the Second Annual Marketing to Latinos Networking Event on April 23, as we honor Henry with the 2013 Excellence in Local Business Award.

We selected Henry, CEO of Express Car Wash Company for 30 years, because his company has built an excellent reputation through quality service. By fulfilling the needs of local residents and earning their trust, Express Car Wash has achieved sustainable growth and prosperity.

Henry F. Weinschenk got his degree in Engineering Technology in 1960 from Otto Krause Technical College, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his native country. Among his many professional accomplishments, Henry co-founded the first UPS overseas subsidiary, setting up more than forty distribution facilities in Germany. Henry’s volunteerism has extended from tutoring in the Charlottesville City Schools to helping in the construction of homes for Habitat for Humanity in Guatemala. Henry obtained his U.S. citizenship in 1970.

Keynote Speaker: Peter Rodriguez

Mr. Rodriguez will offer the keynote address on the economy and contemporary challenges. He is Senior Associate Dean for Degree Programs and Chief Diversity Officer at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.  He teaches classes on Global Macroeconomics and International Business.

Peter is an economist and specializes in the study of international business and economic development. Peter is an active researcher whose research interests include the interaction of globalization, economic development, and social institutions, the consequences of corruption for multinationals and seed-stage finance in emerging markets.

Host: Melinda Crawford

Guests will meet in CHO’s sprawling upper terrace to welcome the airport’s new executive director – and our Hostess for the night - Melinda Crawford. She has recently relocated to Charlottesville from Pensacola, Florida, where she was the executive director of the Pensacola International Airport.

Under Melinda’s leadership, Pensacola International Airport was awarded Florida’s Commercial Airport of the Year in 2013. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about CHO’s latest projects in the works, how they affect our community, and how you can be involved.

Food and Entertainment

Catering: Chef Alex Montiel

Celebrated Chef Alex Montiel, a native of Mexico City, will prepare bocadillos and postres from his home country. Refreshments will include Savory Chicken Mole, Handmade Tortillas with Oaxaca Cheese, Spanish Paella, Caramel Flan and more. Chef Alex is the operator of La Cocina del Sol as well as Alex Montiel Catering & Fine Events.

Cultural Spotlight: Fuego Dance

Fuego Dance Team, a student-run CIO at the University of Virginia, promotes and exhibits Latino culture through dance. The team choreographs and presents dance forms from Latin American countries, including folkloric dances (festejo, samba, caporales, and tinkus), partner dances (bachata, salsa, and merengue), and reggaeton.

Admission

Admission is $30 in advance (single), $50 in advance (couple), or $40 at the door (no couple rates available for door purchases). Reservations should be made online. This event will benefit the Community Investment Collaborative (CIC) Micro-Lending Scholarship Fund.

It was an emotional night as the younger generation of entrepreneurs honored their fathers for the lessons and character they taught. Olga Morse was very proud to present the City of Charlottesville’s first-ever award honoring the hard work and success of immigrant entrepreneurs.

Forward/Adelante and Partnering Sponsors look forward to presenting more exciting Chapter 6 Networking events in 2013! Please be sure to join our mailing list and follow us on Facebook & Twitter to find out more.

Click here to view the complete photo gallery on Picasa. Special thanks to Memories by Melody Photography.