National Society of Hispanic MBAs and Nationwide Insurance Provide Key Components to Building a Successful Business

Nationally recognized entrepreneurship educators join other achievers to share secrets to success at the NSHMBA Conference & Career Expo

IRVING, Texas, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) and Nationwide Insurance bring a panel of noted business leaders, along with moderators Larry Cox, Pepperdine University Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Harold Welsch, Depaul University Coleman Foundation Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship to Chicago for the 2010 Entrepreneurship Sessions at the NSHMBA Conference & Career Expo.

Sponsored by Nationwide Insurance, the Entrepreneur Sessions will help potential and current business owners to be successful despite the economic challenges new businesses face. Sessions will start at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on October 23 at the McCormick Place in downtown Chicago as part of the 21st Annual NSHMBA Conference. Over 8,500 Hispanic MBA professionals and students are expected to assemble for the nation's largest Hispanic MBA conference. This year's conference theme, The Winds of Opportunity, speaks to the unique circumstances and opportunities facing Hispanic professionals in the new economy of 2010.

"In order for our Hispanic business students and professionals to build successful enterprises in this ever changing economy, they need professional advice on how to leverage these unique opportunities," said Manny Gonzalez, NSHMBA CEO. "NSHMBA, alongside with Nationwide and our other sponsors, is here to provide professional development, and opportunity to succeed regardless of the economic challenges."

In this specialized series about entrepreneurship, participants will be introduced to the key components of building a successful enterprise. Expert speakers and panels of industry leaders will lead sessions on the featured topics. This 3-session series will focus on the following objectives:

• Acquiring the skills and processes needed to generate an innovative business idea. Dr. Cox will introduce an approach that will help business owners succeed as an entrepreneur even in turbulent times.
• Finding the funds necessary to launch a venture and funding programs especially geared to finance minority-owned business. Dr. Welsch, will moderate a fast-paced and enlightening discussion to unearth the keys and options for financing a new venture.
• Connecting with local, state and national support networks and resources. Dr. Cox will moderate an in-depth discussion with entrepreneurs designed to reveal the "best kept secrets" in national and local entrepreneurship support programs.

"Our partnership with the National Society of Hispanic MBAs helps support career and leadership development in a way that remains relevant throughout the year," said Candice Barnhardt, vice president, diversity and inclusion, Nationwide Insurance. "We are proud of our active presence at the NSHMBA conference, and our sponsorship of these entrepreneurial sessions. It excites us to have such an esteemed panel share their experiences and expertise to help others enhance their ability to build a successful enterprise in today's marketplace."

For more information or to register to attend the 2010 NSHMBA Conference & Career Expo, visit http://www.nshmba.org/conference.

About Nationwide Insurance
Nationwide Insurance, based in Columbus, Ohio is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated as A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range of personalized insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. Visit www.nationwide.com. Follow Nationwide Insurance on twitter and Facebook.

About NSHMBA
The National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) was created in 1988 as a non-profit organization. Widely known as the "Premier Hispanic Organization," NSHMBA serves 32 chapters and over 8,000* members in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. It exists to increase the number of Hispanics graduating from MBA schools through scholarships, awareness programs and mentorship; enhance career management opportunities for Hispanic MBAs from school to leadership positions, through job placement and world class professional development; to be the partner of choice for organizations seeking to hire and develop Hispanic talent; and recruit and retain as life-long members a majority of Hispanic MBAs. For more information visit www.nshmba.org  *Based upon 2009 membership data

SOURCE National Society of Hispanic MBAs