Pre-Event Splash Page: SBSEG: Grow your business in its first year and beyond

Armando Christian Pérez, known by the stage name Pitbull or Mr. Worldwide, is an American rapper. In addition to being a universal artist, Pitbull is a leading businessman on a global stage and is rated as the most influential person in the Latino community. He has crossed over to become a positive force in entertainment and business. He is a big believer in education, starting several charter schools.

Pitbull has a TV development company and line of fragrances, named Pitbull Man and Pitbull Woman. He also has a several lucrative endorsement deals including Dr. Pepper, Kodak, Bud Light, Voli Vodka and, most recently, Playboy. In addition to real estate investments, Pitbull has a significant equity stake in sandwich chain Miami Subs Grill and is an investor in EcoloBlue, a company that sells filters designed to create water from air. Photo & Go, a recognized leader in the photo and art industry, is also part of Pitbull’s business portfolio.

As the host of the Sunday morning syndicated political show, Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien, Soledad has established herself as one of the most recognized names in broadcasting by telling the stories behind the most important issues, people and events of the day. A champion of diversity, she gives voice to the underserved and disenfranchised through her Emmy-winning reporting and acclaimed documentary series, Black in America and Latino in America. While also the contributing editor, reporting in-depth news magazine pieces for PBS NewsHour and correspondent for HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.

Mariette is a Financial Accountant, Tax Pro, Systems Strategist and Small Business Owner. What drives her everyday is the strong belief that no business should be left behind due to the lack of financial education and awareness. This blend of experience and passion allows her to provide one-on-one business coaching, where she works to transform the small business owner into a stronger, more equipped small business manager. She coaches entrepreneurs to think bigger and dream bolder and share with them that through financial education, they will have a fighting chance towards financial freedom.
As a Latina-Owned business, she recognizes the importance of providing learning opportunities and financial education for the rapidly growing Spanish-Speaking small business community and has created strategic partnerships to help create these resources in Spanish

Jamahl and Natalie Grace started their business in 2020 because Natalie loved candles, but couldn’t find the types of candles she wanted at the beginning of the pandemic, so they began to make their own, and thus Grace+Love Candle Co. was born.

Jamahl is a graduate of Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Florida A&M University and a master’s degree in finance from Texas Southern University with 15 collective years’ experience in the retail and risk management industries.

As a Latina American Woman, breaking barriers has been both the greatest challenge and the greatest opportunity in Natalie’s career. She entered the workforce at 18 years old to work at Fortune 500 company Freddie Mac. She joined a Hispanic organization called HOLA to network with other women and find mentors.