(Contact: Epoch 5 Public Relations)
As Part of the Stony Brook University New York State Small Business Development Center’s
“Hispanic Initiative” Program
Bethpage, NY – In ceremonies this week at the Bethpage Federal Credit Union Central Islip branch, Marlene Flores, Owner of Mar le Café in Glen Cove, received the 2012-2013 Hispanic Business Owner of the Year Award. In its 2nd year, the annual award program is the outgrowth of the “Hispanic Initiative,” a program established by the Stony Brook University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) that runs under the New York State Small Business Development Center and OLE (Organization of Latino Entrepreneurs), which targets Latino business owners. Recognizing that Hispanic immigrants often must overcome multiple challenges — lack of education, language barriers, cultural differences and financing — the Hispanic Initiative seeks to support a successful transition, while adding to the engine of Long Island’s economy.
“This is a proud moment for me and my family,” said Flores. “I am honored to be recognized and am thankful for the support of Stony Brook’s Small Business Development Center, as well as my family, friends, customers, and the Hispanic Initiative resources that have made possible my dream of establishing an American business.”
In addition to Flores, the Hispanic Business Owner of the Year selection committee narrowed its search to three final nominees for 2012-2013 based on “the level of challenges they faced during the process of start up, overall performance, and successful follow through with SBDC counseling and guidance.” They included: Ana Garcia, Owner of “The Three Brothers Food” – mobile food restaurant – in Patchogue; Jairo Zuluaga, Owner of “Zulnet Online Marketing” – IT company – in Bay Shore; Marlene Flores, Owner of “Mar le Café” – gourmet coffee retail shop – in Glen Cove.
According to Gloria Glowacki, Stony Brook University Small Business Development Center Regional Director, the Hispanic Business of the Year Award program was established in order to “recognize and reward the best business practices and performances of Hispanic entrepreneurs.” Representatives from the Hispanic Initiative were on hand for the award program, including Bill Mannix, Director, Town of Islip Economic Development and Vernon Williams, Vice President, Branches, Bethpage Federal Credit Union.
As part of its support, Bethpage helped provide SBDC Hispanic clients with a Bilingual Resource Guide, English/Spanish Business Plan Guide, Bilingual Source Book and winning business owner prize, an iPad.
“Bethpage Federal Credit Union has a commitment to small business owners through loan products and services available at all our branch locations,” said Bethpage Senior Vice President, Linda Armyn. “And working with our institutional and government leaders, we believe it is important to recognize and to celebrate those in our Long Island community who succeed in their entrepreneurial efforts, especially when extraordinary obstacles must be overcome.”
For more information on the Hispanic Initiative and Business Owner of the Year award program, visit http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/sbdc/espanol.html.
Bethpage Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, existing solely to serve its members and has experienced rapid growth in recent years to become a strong alternative to banks. Bethpage was approved for the largest federal community charter in the U.S. in 2003 and now is New York State’s largest credit union and Long Island’s primary community financial institution with 212,000 members, 26 branches and 60 shared service center locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. As a financial cooperative, Bethpage offers the best-in-market rates, low fees and world-class service, and a full menu of personal and commercial financial services.
Bethpage maintains branch locations in Bay Shore, Bay Shore King Kullen, Bethpage, Central Islip, Commack King Kullen, Elmont, Farmingdale, Freeport, Glen Cove, Hempstead, Huntington, Levittown King Kullen, Lynbrook, Massapequa, Melville, Mineola, North Babylon, Patchogue, Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Seaford, Smithtown, Roosevelt, West Babylon and Westbury with over 425 surcharge-free ATMs including King Kullen, CVS Pharmacy, 7-11 and Costco locations throughout Long Island. For more information, call 1-800-628-7070 or visit www.bethpagefcu.com.