During the last quarter of 2022, Pharus Global Executive Vice President Rudy Chacon and his wife, Pharus Global Director of Business Development Ellen Chacon worked with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce to create the Latin Business Council.

Rudy Chacon said the Council was created based on the needs of the many Latin and minority entrepreneurs in the Asheville area and to make sure that they are aware of and receive the same resources and opportunities available to entrepreneurs of any descent.

“We are able to create connections and open doors, providing an opportunity that wasn’t there before,” Rudy Chacon said. “Speaking the same language provides a level of comfort to these people and allows us to be a voice for the Latin business community. It’s also really a fun culture; these people are really passionate about the things they are doing.”

With previous experience creating programs and bringing in resources for Hispanic communities with the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Chacon and other Chamber members presented a survey to Latin businesses in the Asheville area to discover the needs of the Hispanic and minority entrepreneur community. According to their survey’s results, the largest need of these entrepreneurs is access to capital in order to grow their business.

To meet this need, one of the programs that will be put in place is called Access to Capital. The Asheville Area Chamber has already granted approval to launch this program, which should occur sometime in 2023.

The Latin Business Council has also begun work to create initiatives and sponsorships that can help provide real solutions to real problems that are faced by minority entrepreneurs. “We are reaching out to large companies like Pratt & Whitney that may be able to provide funding that can help some of these small businesses grow and succeed,” Rudy Chacon said.

Established businesses that are ready to level-up are in the right space to work with the Latin Business Council. Using the Chacon’s business, Pharus Global, in addition to other local business resource organizations like Mountain BizWorks to provide an entire ecosystem of resources, entrepreneurs can have access to more than just capital.

“Our business really helps reduce the operating costs for any growing business,” Ellen Chacon said. “We help identify back-end issues that a business may have and provide a variety of options for services to choose from while using only one contact person, all while maintaining excellent customer service.

“Through our business, we are building genuine business relationships and finding solutions for businesses regardless of the problem that they may be experiencing,” she said.

The Latin Business Council can provide any service or solution that is offered by Pharus Global from bookkeeping, payroll solutions, and capital access to exit plans, mergers and acquisitions, and locating business buyers.

The Latin Business Council is also planning community networking and educational events to let members know about what is offered. An inclusive organization, a business seeking assistance does not have to be Hispanic. Anyone in any type of business may reach out for help.

“We want to provide education to the entrepreneur community regarding all of the aspects of running a business,” Ellen Chacon said. “So many of these business owners are great at their business, but may benefit from some help in other aspects such as marketing, human resources, or business culture. It’s also increasingly important to focus on employee retention and enhancing the employee experience.”

The Latin Business Council works with many area organizations, primarily Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce as well as Black Wall Street, Hola Carolina, Mountain BizWorks, Self-Help Credit Union, and Western Women’s Business Center.

Though the Latin Business Council is a new organization, they are already hearing success stories from participating entrepreneurs. According to the Chacons, one company specializing in a quick-sale food business operating from a gas station space has already expanded and is being sought after by other gas stations that desire the products in their stores. The Latin Business Council is helping the company with that growth, funding for equipment and payroll, bookkeeping structures, and consulting. 

Rudy Chacon said that the inspiration for his entrepreneurial mindset comes from his immigrant father’s determination. “I’ve always heard him say ‘There must be an easier way’,” he said. “I want to help others find that easier way.”

Reach out to the Latin Business Council by contacting Rudy Chacon at [email protected] or Tommy Dennison at [email protected].