Running a chamber of commerce is definitely not an easy task. Running a chamber with a specific demographic especially. Much comes into play. Special care , special attention and sometimes special "handling" of situations that sometimes can draw much attention either for good or for worse.

This week I want to share with you how do you handle those in a group that just don't get it , or don't wish to play ball by the rules of business etiquette. Some may say when they read this , "ah she's referring to me or I wasn't aware of that". No matter what or whom, just take it with a grain of salt what I am to share with you all today.

When I began in the world of business it was in the year 1976 , as a personal shopper for Bloomingdale's on 59 st in Lexington Ave in NYC/the big apple. I learned much there, especially if I was on a commission based job. On my scheduled days/nights I would sit in a room waiting for the stores top spenders to come in and request my help or of the other sales help and when you got called you spent whatever time needed with them. Now these customers some had special needs , physical , emotional and/or language a  barrier. I loved this service. I got to meet very important people. And boy, did they have some personalities. As an 18 year old, I could have chucked it and said something like screw this these people are demanding plus nuts. But early on, I noticed there was a lesson here somewhere. Plus I got a great pay for my patience afterall.

This experience helped me when I finally made it as a Junior Designer at a children's wear firm in midtown Manhattan.There I worked with some real characters. One in particular, was always stewing up a pot of trouble for everyone. He said , she said , he did , she did...type of scenarios. Always self promoting herself and her ex - place of employment. But because she was VP of sales no one ever dared say anything. Until one day when the JCPenney head children's wear buyer showed up.It wasn't what they said it was what they did ultimately. I sat quietly waiting my turn to present my portion of the line and when it was my turn guess who wanted to be the center of attention. You guessed it the VP. But the VP was out on vacation for 2 weeks before the meeting, so she was not aware that my presentation was revised the night before. Talk about red in the face. But when she stated that she asked me to revise the presentation because I was late with the color lab dips they all knew that it was not true. You see my Sales President had already informed the buyers when they walked in that I had received all the needed info and they would love the final outcome based on our conference call A WEEK AGO! Thankfully we got the catalog sale and retail sale after I had done my presentation. When I thanked everyone in the sample and art rooms , it was never about I but about we. JCPenney noticed that. Guess who was let go and made Private Label Designer? Muah. And guess who gave me an opportunity at a job in Puerto Rico when I relocated there ? JCPenney.

Life has taken me in all areas but when I have to deal and handle those who get out of place just because they feel they deserve it , I stand back let them totally make zero sense (saying it politely) and I will then step in without insulting that individual and try to save face for all involved. This is what a leader and team player does and must do. This is what I call business etiquette.

Promote/support who does a great performance and those who truly play in a team. Remember that always! You will never know when you will need these people you have stepped on in the past. The future is and has been always an unknown place ( or glimpse in time). Once you have walked into it , expect anything and anyone to make waves.

See you all next week.
A Rivera

Many have asked me this question and I always seem to answer the same way , "to give Latino small business people a place to have their voice". But it really did not start this way actually.

In 2003 I was working for the famous porcelain company Lladro from Valencia Spain here in Florida as one of their Sales Directors. I loved the job and most of all I LOVED the product , of which I still do. But then it happened , 2006 and then Iraq happened. Luxury items were not in high demand so I had to start evaluating my options. So I went into educational sales. That is   what is called as a admissions professional in a private school actually performs.

But then 2007 happened and my mentor was Mrs. Elizabeth Cuevas Neunder , who suggested to meet some people from PR and Florida involved with mentoring entrepreneurs and businesses alike. I asked how can I do this , of course I had been part of the chamber in San Juan when I worked for a company on the island but all I knew was networking and parties. Something she said to me was , "Ani if anyone can pull it off in Polk County , it's you".
But Liz I have a full time job! ..."so?"..... and so it began my journey.

First I had to do my own market research on such an organization and to my surprise there were many in existence. I studied their websites , called for information and decided this can not be that hard to represent a large body of people. After all I have been performing this type of task all my professional life. Second I had to start with some capitol ,write up our by-laws , set a board , EIN number , bank account ,register with state , incorporate , website, logo design , press release ,media blitz ,  launch and meet those I needed to meet in Polk County that I needed to meet. With the support of my husband , son , mother , brother , sister in law and all those I had met while working at Lladro in Tampa and the various PR / Hispanic Chambers came to my / our support  ....and after several media support ,  The Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce was born on August 7 2007 in the Lakeland Public Library off Lake Morton. Third was how were we to be different than the other chambers surrounding us in the county... that was the task at hand. Simple we went with what we knew best by living it and breathing it ... educate all those with our culture. We are not all Mexican , nor Cuban , nor Puerto Rican for that matter. It is less simplistic than this. But my task first and foremost was to improve the Puerto Rican entrepreneur here in Polk County.

Now convincing people that I was or that we were the organization that was going to bring a different climate to the area was an understatement. I had many tell me it wouldn't work. There were those who even confuse themselves with an organization similar to ours that opened some before we did ,that we were not going to make it pass one year. That as Latino's you people tend to be too volatile and it makes it hard for you to follow through with anything. Those who told me this 7 years ago , look at me now and say "how the hell did you do this?" You people? Excuse me but I never said nor gave the impression that we were going to be here as a stop over. Hence 2014 is our 7th anniversary. that should say for much.

It has not been an easy journey ,but it has been one that has given me an insight to make sure and ask "you are at the right place at the right time and do you know the right people who are on board with your vision". Thank GOD my way of talking with people (not talking at them) has been a blessing and being upfront and not a phony. It's being a simple girl from The Bronx who knows how to play the game. And as a Bronx Girl I can tell a phony and a cheat a block away.

My baby the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Polk County has given birth to many wonderful programs that continue , such as:

• Una Noche de Estrellas / Puerto Rican Film Festival at the Polk Museum
• B2B International Expo
• Asi Canta , Asi Baila ...MI Gente (local talent competition)
• Sabor de Polk (local Latino cuisine competition)
• Miss Polk Latina Scholarship
• VIVA POLK Fest Parade & Block Party
• Quinceanera Internationale Expo
• and this year The PRHCC Business Convention for The Americas

So you see , when there is a will there is a way , when there is more than just a dream, only you can make it come true. When there is passion for what you do and if you are a fighter and someone who will absolutely not give up on your dream or the dreams of others , you do what I say.... "what the hell can happen? That I have to start over again? So be it. But I still have much to do. It's not over yet". 

My friends , make 2014 your year and those who say that it's an impossible task with the economy now a days ...look at them straight in the eye and say "WTH , let's roll".

Ana Rivera
President / PRHCCPC
prhccpc@gmail.com