HISPANICS CHOOSING NHANCE
Enjoying life sets the groundwork for Hispanic entrepreneurs

Jose Cahue and Rody Vargas live across the country from each other and have never met. But, they share more similarities than they know -- not only with each other, but with 2 million other Hispanic small business owners in the United States.

Both men immigrated to the U.S. in the ‘80s--Cahue from Mexico and Vargas from Bolivia, and both landed good jobs with international companies.

After years working in corporate America, they rolled-up their sleeves and opened their own N-Hance franchises.

Hispanic franchisees like Cahue and Vargas are on the rise. Minority-owned businesses are growing at a rate of seven times greater than all U.S. businesses, according to a 2004 report by the Minority Business Development Agency.

Cahue, who lives in San Jose, California, worked for Univision, Sony Electronics and most recently Google as a software quality assurance engineer before joining N-Hance in 2006. He moved to California in 1987, and his experience owning a computer store in Mexico helped make the jump to franchising.

"I left to find a career that allowed me to enjoy my life more," Cahue says. "I work more now, but I can see down the road, when N-Hance becomes really successful for me, I'll have more free time."

Strong-willed entrepreneurs like Cahue and Vargas are drawn to franchising as it offers an escape from the corporate grind. Owning and operating one's own business is an enticing benefit, which explains why franchising is becoming more popular.

For Manassas, Virginia-based Vargas, he moved into franchising after spending six years in management at McDonald's. With plenty of experience in overseeing a team of employees but very little in refurbishing or construction, Vargas was drawn to N-Hance because of the product and possibilities.

"Depending on how hard you work, you have the potential to make a lot of money," Vargas says. "There's not a lot of competition for NHance and I'm confident in the product."

Hispanics leading franchises

Hispanic-owned businesses are contributing a great deal of money into the American economy. Approximately 2 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the country generate almost $300 billion in annual gross receipts, according to the Small Business Administration, HispanicTelligence.

Cahue and Vargas are among a growing number of Hispanic business owners.

An April 2007 Small Business Administration (SBA) report says Hispanics or Latinos constituted the largest minority business community in the United States, owning 6.6 percent of all U.S. firms.

SBA used data from the '02 Survey of Business Owners to identify Hispanic business owners as Mexican, Mexican American, and Chicano; Puerto Rican; Cuban; and other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino.

Expect to see more Hispanic-owned companies in the future. The number of Hispanic-owned companies grew 82 percent since 1997, making them among the fastest-growing business segments in the nation, lists HispanicTelligence.

Support for franchise owners

Franchises provide a proven framework of support, practices, training and materials. New business owners inevitably manage their success, but franchises offer the opportunity to jump-in to a business without having to cook-up everything. Franchises let entrepreneurs immediately move into managing and leading.

"Our real goal is not to sell franchises, but sell success," notes Tara Riley, director of franchise operations for N-Hance. "We guide our owners through every step of the process and use proven tactics. Franchise owners get the best of both worlds-the have the support of a large corporate structure with the risk and rewards of a small business."

More Hispanics Choosing Franchises

Nationally, there are several resources for Hispanic entrepreneurs who want seek franchise ownership:

The International Franchise Association's MinorityFran Program, www.franchise.org, is an organization of franchisors, franchisees and suppliers that protects, enhances and promotes the franchise industry. IFA's Minorities in Franchise Committee launched the program in 2006.

The U.S. Small Business Administration, www.sba.gov, was created in 1953 to aid and counsel new business owners. The SBA also provides access to credit and capital, federal contracts and international trade opportunities.

About N-Hance

N-Hance is a wood floor and cabinet renewal system that produces like-new luster without the dust, mess and overwhelming odors of harsh chemicals or expense of traditional sanding and refinishing.

For most homeowners the replacement of floors and cabinets is unnecessary. Over the years, dirt build-up and age-discolored finishes make wood look flat and lifeless. The N-Hance process thoroughly cleans the surface, repairs damaged areas and applies an elegant, durable and protective finish.