PHOENIX, March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The Valley Toyota Dealer Association today announced a new awards program, Avanzando Confiados, and is seeking nominations for small-business leaders across the Valley who best represent the spirit, drive, courage, imagination, and discipline of Latino entrepreneurship in Arizona.
"This year we set out to recognize the growing number of Latino entrepreneurs in the Valley and their contributions to our communities," said Bob Staup, president of the Valley Toyota Dealer Association. "Latino small business leaders are bringing about positive change and we want to call attention to their work and learn what makes them successful."
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, minority businesses are booming in the United States. Arizona ranks seventh among the top 10 markets for Hispanic businesses. Since 1997, the number of Hispanic firms has grown tremendously in our state -- from 28,900 to more than 35,104 today with sales receipts totaling $4.3 billion.
Toyota's Avanzando Confiados program will recognize 12 outstanding Latino leaders in monthly editions of Latino Perspectives magazine. Toyota is also collaborating with the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on this program, a natural partnership as the Chamber is considered a valuable resource for Hispanic businesses.
To date Toyota has honored some of Arizona's finest small business owners. Past honorees include Ricardo Cortazar, partner of Alvarez & Cortazar LLC; Eddie Barron, owner of Barron Tile and Stone, Inc.; Alex Corona, owner of Corona Ranch and Rodeo Grounds; and Ricardo Aleman owner of El Gordo Cigar Company.
To nominate a Latino small business owner visit Latino Perspectives magazine at www.latinopm.com.
Valley Toyota Dealers
Founded in 1989, Valley Toyota Dealers is the Toyota Dealer Association consisting of all nine Toyota dealers in the metropolitan Phoenix area: Avondale, Camelback, Right, Bell Road, Larry Miller, Scott, Big Two, Power, and Superstitions Springs. To locate the dealer nearest you visit www.valleytoyotadealers.com.