This seminar promises to:

• Explore the latest industry trends and advancements.
• Provide practical tips for business growth and development.
• Foster valuable networking opportunities with industry leaders.
• Equip you with tools to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in today’s dynamic marketplace.

Don’t miss out on this exceptional opportunity to elevate your business to new heights. Prepare to embark on a journey to innovate, navigate, and elevate to fuel entrepreneurial growth! 

This training is supported through a grant from The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Vendors will get to connect with other like-minded entrepreneurs, show off what your business has to offer and prepare to take your business to next level. This unique event includes over 70 participants as well as two workshops and key networking opportunities that will be sure to change the course of your future! Don’t miss this unique event!

Event Schedule

• 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Opening and Registration
• 8:45 AM – 9:00 AM – Opening Remarks, Community Foundation
  Monica Hernandez, VP, Assets Services-Global Markets for Bank of America /
  President at First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FCHCC)
  
• 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Panel Discussion: Learn the Myths, Realities and Opportunities of Working and Contracting with the Government presented by Gregory Grant, Equal Business Opportunity Administrator, JSEB City of Jacksonville
  Panelists: Conchie Fernandez, Founding Partner, CF Creative
  Jorge Arce, MBA Certified Global Business Professional – here to assist U.S. companies to export U.S. products and services all over the world.
  Annie Grogan, Director Jacksonville Women’s Business Center
  Q&A session
• 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM – Coffee Break
• 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM – Workshops
  “Understanding and Making the Most of your Taxes” presented by Daysi Jacobson, Founder & CEO Daysi Jacobson Accounting
  
  “Practical Tips for Writing Grants: Creating Proposals and Capability Statements to Secure New Contracts” presented by Conchie Fernandez, Founding Partner, CF Creative
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Keynote Speaker
  
• 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM – Panel Discussion: “Access to Capital is Crucial for the Growth of your Business, Learn about the Different Ways to get Access to it” presented by Jonel Hein, SBA North Florida District Director
  Mark Walker, Jessie Ball duPont Fund
  Chris Crothers, Jessie Ball duPont Fund
  Nick Correa, Bank of America
  
  “Crowdfunding” – Women’s Association
  Q&A Session
  3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Workshop: “Essential Aspects for Creating, promoting and Financing a Non-Profit” presented by Prospera USA
• 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM – Presentation of Certificates and Closures

Monica Hernández

VP, Assets Services-Global Markets for Bank of America /
President at First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FCHCC)

Monica Hernández was born in Cali, Colombia and moved to the United States at the age of 11. She grew up in Ocala, Florida and moved to Jacksonville in 2005. Monica is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University with a Master’s Degree in Finance and Marketing and a graduate of the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business. Monica also holds a certification in Strategic Management from Harvard University.

Monica was appointed as President of the First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2019. Monica was also recognized in 2019 by the Jacksonville Business Journal in the Top 40 under 40, Northeast Florida’s brightest, most promising professionals under the age of 40. She was selected to be part of the Hightower Emerging Leaders Program by the Jax Chamber.

In 2020, Monica was selected to be part of Leadership Jacksonville, Class of 2021. She is fluent in both Spanish and English. She also serves on the board of the University of North Florida Student Affairs Community Council and University of North Florida International Business Flagship Program Business Advisory Council (BAC).

Mark Walker

Jessie Ball duPont Fund

Mark Walker serves as Director of The Jessie, overseeing the administration and operations of the Jessie Ball duPont Center, which is owned and operated by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. In this capacity, Mark manages all aspects of the building–including strategic planning, tenant acquisition, retention and relationship management, and events management–in conjunction with CBRE, the building’s management firm. He also administers all equity and placemaking grants at The Jessie.

Mark is also senior program officer for the grantees located in the Jacksonville, FL, where the Jessie Ball duPont Fund’s headquarters are located.

Previously, Mark served as Knowledge Management & Technology Officer for the Fund, implementing hardware and software business solutions, and spearheading the design and implementation of a shared technology infrastructure at The Jessie.

Prior to joining the Fund in 2013, Mark served as Director of Research & Technology at The Community Foundation in Jacksonville and Manager of Research & Technology for The Chartrand Foundation. Mark is a member of the Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2022. He served on the board of the Technology Affinity Group for Foundations (tagtech.org) a non-profit membership organization that cultivates the strategic, equitable, and innovative use of technology in philanthropy for seven years, including five on executive committee culminating his time with TAG as its board president in 2022 and 2023.

Mark completed Georgetown University’s Executive Nonprofit Management program and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Central Florida. In his free time, Mark enjoys composing and performing music in his home recording studio, kayaking, and spending time with his wife and son.

More information on additional speakers to come.

Be sure you’re subscribed to our mail list to stay up to date with FCHCC!

Conference Schedule

8:45 AM – President Introduction: Kick-off
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM – Panel Discussion
10:15 AM – 10:30AM – Morning Break
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Breakout Session
12:00 PM -12:30 PM – Lunch
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM – Keynote Speaker
1:45 PM – 2:00 PM – Afternoon Break
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Panel Discussion
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Workshop
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM – Presentation of Certificates and Closure

FCHCC is looking for Volunteers

FCHCC needs volunteers for both the Hola Emprende and Business Expo! If you’re interested, click here to complete our volunteer form. Note: you don’t need to be an FCHCC member to be a volunteer!