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Barry Mittelman, a Cortlandt resident, has launched Latin Business Today, a site that provides resources for Latino small business owners looking to succeed.
Mittelman described Latin Business Today as a forum for the exchange of ideas and for collaboration. Users will gain perspective and insight through dialogue with mentors.
The site was inspired by the work of Dr. Les Fernandez, the founder and executive director of EduCage, an alternative educational program for at-risk students that was established in Westchester in the 1960s.
"These kids were in bad shape in terms what the future held for them," Mittelman said. "He gave them a sense of self-worth. These kids went on to be professionals. He spent his whole life devoted to mentorship."
Fernandez was also Mittelman's father-in-law.
"It's been a pretty exciting journey," Mittelman said. "We want to continue his legacy."
The site has more than 80 contributors, all of whom are highly credentialed, Mittelman said.
"They write about their business disciplines," Mittelman said. "When people come to Latin Business Today, I want them to know there is a trusted adviser there."
Mittelman said the organization has alliances with national and Westchester-based Hispanic organizations, including Neighbors Link.
"We want to help business owners generate additional business or take their business to the next level," Mittelman said.
The site has also done profiles on Hispanic-owned businesses and on inspirational Latinos while offering one-on-one training to people at events. Mittelman said people can see firsthand how Westchester's Latino population is growing.
"It's a mix of people new to the country and people coming up from New York City who want to be in the suburbs and live in a community versus the city," Mittelman said.
Overall, Mittelman said he thinks Latin Business Today will be helpful to anyone needing to grow their business.
"This is an opportunity to be able to learn from some of the best and brightest," Mittelman said. "This is very valuable in a reset economy where things are changing week to week and month to month."
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