Amid the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Latino entrepreneurs have demonstrated admirable resilience. Despite confronting systemic barriers, Hispanic-owned businesses have not only navigated through adversity but have also emerged stronger, setting the stage for sustained post-pandemic success. But the challenges remain formidable.
The State of Hispanic Homeownership Report (SHWR) findings underscore the critical role of entrepreneurship in wealth diversification and economic empowerment within the Latino community. In 2022, Hispanic household wealth soared to $63,400, surpassing the Hispanic Wealth Project's target two years ahead of schedule. Hispanic households demonstrated remarkable growth in wealth, outpacing other demographic groups significantly. Homeownership emerged as a cornerstone of Latino wealth, with Hispanic families who own their homes possessing, on average, 26.4 times the net worth of renters. Despite challenges posed by an affordability crisis, rapid home price appreciation enabled homeowners to amass wealth at remarkable rates.
Moreover, the SHWR highlights the wealth-building potential of business ownership among Latinos. Self-employed Latino households boasted twice the wealth of their non-self-employed counterparts. The rate of entrepreneurship among Latinos surpassed that of any other demographic group, with a surge in Latino-owned businesses observed during the pandemic-induced economic upheaval. Despite facing hurdles in accessing capital, Latino entrepreneurs exhibited resilience, embracing opportunities for business ownership and wealth creation.
While the SHWR findings illuminate the importance of homeownership and entrepreneurship in Latino wealth accumulation, challenges persist. The disparity in access to government and corporate contracts remains a significant barrier for Latino-owned businesses. Although Latino entrepreneurs are slightly more likely to secure contracts, these deals tend to be smaller in size, hindering opportunities for growth and expansion. Additionally, access to capital continues to pose challenges, with Latino-owned businesses encountering obstacles in securing larger loans despite comparable credit scores.
The SHWR recommends three things business and investor communities can do to support Latino entrepreneurship and business expansion:
- First, organizations should continue to develop platforms that encourage networking and education for Latino business owners. Organizations like the NAHREP and L’ATTITUDE are critical forums for Latino entrepreneurs to acquire knowledge regarding successful business practices and to foster networks, partnerships, and mentorship while connecting with potential customers or clients.
- Second, and in line with our recommendations around diversifying corporate leadership, it is necessary to have members of the Latino community in decision-making positions among resource allocators. For example, since venture capital is often derived from large corporations, pension funds, or foundations, having Latinos in leadership positions in these types of institutions make it more likely that capital is equitably distributed.
- Third, we must educate Latino business owners regarding opportunities for accessing capital and how best to utilize and leverage it. Many entrepreneurs may be averse to taking on investors for fear of losing their company’s independence, however, investments from external sources are often critical for entrepreneurs to successfully scale their businesses.
The Hispanic Wealth Project (HWP) addresses these challenges with initiatives aimed at increasing homeownership, scaling small businesses, and diversifying investments. Through education, resources, and networking opportunities, the HWP empowers Latino entrepreneurs to overcome barriers and achieve financial success. Contact us for more information on how you can get involved at
info@HWPfoundation.org.