Entrepreneurial Class:
Latin American Businesses
and Professionals
CO-Sponsor
CITY OF TORONTO
With 2.7 million people, Toronto is Canadas largest
city and employment centre. It is the 5th largest city in
North America, with access to a market of 180 million
people within a one-day drive. Toronto is one of the most
multicultural cities in the world more than 180 languages
are spoken in the city and Latin Americans constitute the
fastest-growing immigrant group.
The economy of the Toronto region is as large as it is diverse.
This strength gives the city resiliency, making it better able
to weather economic downturns. Toronto is a leading North
American and global centre for business and professional
services, education, fashion/ apparel, information and
communications technology, film, finance, food production,
green technology, life sciences and tourism. Thanks to a
highly educated workforce, great international connections
and low operating costs, Toronto businesses have the topnotch support network that is essential to success.
The City of Toronto is pleased to support the Toronto
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
www.toronto.ca/business
Key Findings
Background 7
Approach 8
Latin American Businesses
11
Methodology 11
Latin American Firms by Sector
12
Distribution of Latin American Businesses
Compared to the Toronto Employment Survey 2011 15
Survey Results
Latin American Businesses
Latin American Professionals
Benchmarking Against Torontos Labour Force
17
18
21
24
Conclusions 25
Appendix A
Latin American Businesses in Toronto and the GTA
26
26
Appendix B
Latin American Organizations
30
30
Special Thanks
31
Toronto Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce
Bridging Business Opportunities for Canadians and Hispanics
The Toronto Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (THCC) is a
nonprofit organization established in 2002. Our focus is to
support economic development for Hispanic business in
Canada and Latin America.
Our mission is to be the bridge connecting Canadians
with Hispanics/Latin-Americans in pursue of business
opportunities. We strive to be the leading advocate and
facilitator for both the Hispanic community in Canada and
the Canadian community in Spanish-speaking countries and
Latin America.
1 For the purposes of this research Latin America includes all Spanish
speaking countries in North, Central and South America, and the
Caribbean, and Brazil.
Key Findings
There are over 500 Latin American owned businesses
operating in the Toronto region: they are very diverse and
they operate in all sectors of the regions economy.
Latin American owned businesses are dominated
by those in the Food & Beverage (17.7%), Personal
Services (14.4%), and Business and Professional
Services (24.3%) sectors important and growing
sectors of the regional economy, and a source of
business and employment opportunities.
Half of the 140 Latin American-owned businesses
surveyed have started operations in the last five years.
An additional 20% have been in operation between 5
and10 years, and the firms in both groups are largely
small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
Based on a preliminary assessment, the economic
impact of Latin American businesses on the regional
economy ranges from $49.2 million to $73.8 million in
direct effects. Expectations are that this contribution
will grow going forward, as the firms are young and
immigration from Latin America continues apace.
The contribution to the local economy is through both
domestic sales and foreign trade, with one-third of
businesses reporting they do business in Latin America
the latter leading to positive balance of payments impact.
Latin American professionals 32% of which arrived in
the past five years are very active in all areas of the
regional economy. Given their high level of education
attainment, they occupy a range of professional and
technical positions in small and large firms including
Corporate Canada.
Growing: 99,300+
The Latin American community in the GTA has grown by
61.5% between 1996 and 2006
(2006 Census)
4,000+
Since 2006, 4000+ Latin Americans have
made Toronto their home every year
Background
Since the 2006 Census, 22,750 permanent residents have
arrived to the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA)
from Latin America, of which 15,354 (67.5%) chose to settle
in the City of Toronto. Roughly the same numbers arrived
during the previous inter-censal period from 2002 through
2006. The dominant countries of origin for Latin American
immigrants across the CMA were Colombia at 20.1%,
Mexico at 15.9% and Brazil at 15.1%. These three nations
were responsible for 11,640 new permanent residents
across the CMA.
In responding to the 2006 Census, those who reported a
visible minority status of Latin American have grown by
61.5% between 1996 and 2006, to 99,300 individuals, or 2%
of the population of the Toronto CMA. Results of the 2011
Census have not yet been released, but there is evidence
that immigration from Latin America has continued apace.
Annual data from Citizenship and Immigration Canada shows
that immigration from Latin America to the Toronto region
(Census Metropolitan Area or CMA) since the Census of
2006 has consistently outpaced the annual trend prior to
2006 (Figure 1).
For the City of Toronto, 19.6% of Latin American arrivals are
from Colombia, while 17.6% are from Mexico and 17% are
from Brazil. The 8,327 new permanent Toronto residents
from these three nations represent 71.5% of the CMA total.
City Total
CMA Total
1000
0
2000
2001
2002
2003 2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Year
Approach
This research initiative seeks to:
1. To quantify how many businesses in the Toronto area are
owned by Latin Americans, the sectors they are active
in, and how many Toronto area businesses in general are
active in Latin America.
2. To profile Latin American professionals working in
businesses and their sectors, in the GTA.
Latin American
professionals
have advanced
qualifications
From
$49.2
million to
$73.8
million in
direct effects
Rudimentary assessment of
the economic impact of Latin
American businesses on the
regional economy per year
Business &
Professional
Services Combined
24.4%
17.7%
Personal Services
14.4%
Methodology
Research was conducted by examining lists acquired
from various commercial, not-for-profit, and business
organizations, independent research through various media
(print and electronic), as well as responses to the survey of
businesses conducted by THCC throughout April and
May, 2012. Additional entries were added by contacting
professional and trade associations, as well as media
research and other private organizations including:
Abanico
Directorio Latino Canada
El Mundo Latino News
Guia Hispana
Hispanicbusiness.ca
LinkedIn
Panamericanbusiness.com
Sector
5.9
32
7.1
39
Business Services
10.9
59
2.4
13
17.7
97
4.4
24
11.3
62
Personal Services
14.4
79
Professional Services
13.5
74
3.1
17
Other
9.3
51
100.0
547
Total
12
Imminent growth
in the Latin American
business community
will benefit the Food
and Beverage Sector,
creating further
opportunities for the
upcoming PanAm
and Parapan
Games in 2015.
13
14
15
Professional Business
Services Services
36% 29%
This is reflective of the very high levels of educational attainment in
19%
16%
14%
12%
10%
Survey Results
The survey of Latin American businesses and professionals
was conducted to present a more nuanced story about the
scope and influence of local entrepreneurs and professionals
of Latin American heritage.
Two online surveys were designed: One aimed at
entrepreneurs and another aimed at professionals. These
professionals may work in a variety of sectors and capacities
in the regional economy, are of Latin American origin and
actively network within this community.
The questionnaires were accessible through the THCC.ca website.
An email solicitation was sent out to all individuals who had participated in THCC events and
subscribers to THCCs newsletter.
THCC contacts through LinkedIn were directed to the survey link.
A press release was issued announcing the project and directing people to the survey link.
Numerous Latin American business and trade associations were approached for assistance in
raising awareness of the survey effort, including Latin American consulates in Toronto.
THCC printed special business cards promoting the survey; these were handed out at
networking events.
Respondents were encouraged to forward the link to other like-minded professionals and
business owners the snowball method.
Additional responses were collected at two major THCC events where laptop computers linked
to the survey site were available for registration.
22 of 117 responses were from newer arrivals, within the past five years
predominantly from Colombia and Venezuela
These newer immigrants seem to be clustered in Professional and Business
Services (14 of 22)
Close to half of these more newly-arrived entrepreneurs report doing business
in Latin American countries.
55%
74% 10%
Were born
in Canada
18
0-2
2-5
5 - 10
Years
10 +
19
One-third of
respondents conduct
business or derive
income from Latin
American countries,
benefiting Canadas
economy.
20
21
Professional
occupation types:
30% Management;
20% Business,
Finance and
Administration; and
15% Education,
Law and Social,
Community and
Government.
22
23
24
Conclusions
This research is the first step towards a gathering of
information about the Latin American business community
in the GTA. This data will help the THCC in its mandate
to support the economic development of Latin American
business in both Canada and Latin America and cultivate
partnerships between the various communities. As the Latin
American population grows within the City of Toronto and
the broader region, they will continue to make a significant
contribution to the regional economy.
The information gathered in this report is new, and provides
THCC with a base on which to inform the broader community
about the scale and scope of economic contribution, and
breadth of activity engaged in by the Latin American business
community. Its size alone suggests a significant market
for any businesses, Latin American, or non-Latin American
firms interested in selling to and buying from Latin American
businesses, or the general community. Latin American
professionals will continue to be sought after due to their high
qualifications, particularly as interest in doing business in Latin
America increases. This will be important as Latin American
immigration continues, their business and professional
numbers increase and as trade with Latin American countries
grows in the years ahead.
The THCC intends to continue its outreach efforts to the
Latin American community to continue building its profile.
There are many self-employed individuals offering business
or professional services that may grow into more formal
businesses in their own right. Additionally, the Food &
Beverage, Personal Service, general retailing and other
areas will continue to offer opportunities for this new
multifaceted and entrepreneurial class to flourish, grow
and prosper in Toronto.
Latin American Businesses and Professionals
25
Appendix A
Latin American Businesses in Toronto and the GTA
Arts & Culture
Academy of Spanish Dance
AG Analogue Gallery
ArtsXplosion
Audio Station
Ayalavi Photography
Big Guy Studio
Big Time Moments
Carolina Pineda Visual Artist
COLOMBIA EN MISSISSAUGA
Crackers World Communications
Frameline Productions
Froma-z Recordings
Fromaz Records
Imagen Real
Latin Fever
Liquid HDV Productions
Magia Negra
MAGIC VISION
Mi Casita Media Group Inc.
Okokan Productions
OSCARDO (Design, outsourcing)
Rhythmic Fire Danz Centre
Santana Entertainment
Seduccion by design visual
Spanish Centre (language school)
Spanish in Canada
Tango de Oro
The Communication Embassy
TMI Studio
Toronto Foto Art
Toronto Latin Djs
Unikron inc.
26
Business Services
$um-it Credit Solutions
AA Management Consulting
Alcivar & Associates
Alex Enterprises Ltd.
Alma Barrero Image Consulting
Ascencion & Associates
Associates of Santiago Rodriguez
Atlantic Trade International
Atto Dcor
Ayala Enterprises
Bacellar Venture Partners
Be-Clear Language Services
Betaelectric
Biocontrol
Blok Design (graphic design)
Boardsuite Corp.
C.O Souvenirs
Canadian Latinoamerican Comercial Service
Casco Design
Claudio Tapia
Direct Audiovisual
Distribuidora Carrillo
DS4 Studio - Coporate Image Design
Exito Trade Consulting Inc.
Extra equipaje
Galarza Shipping
Grace Marketing
GTA Credit Solutions Service Ltd.
Guayoyo Events
Ideas Fan Inc
Inter Host Canada
International Capital Management
Interpack
ITC Invoice to Cash, Inc.
ITPL Productions
Jose Cabezas Distributor
K D Technology
Omega Trading Cargo
Optiweb Canada
Partners promotional group Inc
El Fogon Restaurant
El Gordo Fine Foods
El Jacal
El Palenque restaurante
El rincon mexicano
El rinconcito Criollo
El Tenampa Bar & Restaurant
El Trompo Restaurant
Embrujo Flamenco Restaurant
Empanada Company
Emporio de los Sandwiches
Frida Restaurant
Fuzion 99 Restaurant Lounge
Global Food traders
Johns Italian Caf
Juan Meat Market El Gaucho
Julios Quality Food
Jumbo empanadas
La Bahia
La Cocina de Doa Luz
La Costeita
La Favorita
La Merceria
La Mexicana Restaurant (2 locations)
La Mexicana Tortilleria y Antojitos
La paisa Colombian Cousine
La Pasiva Restaurant
La Risata Ristorante
La tortilleria
Las Americas
Las Fronteras
Latin American Emporium & Emporium Express
Latin Super Chicken
Leos Bar- Restaurante
Macelleria del Baby Beef
Machu Picchu Restaurant
Malbec Restaurant
Mama Mia
Mario Bross
Marketino
Mi Pueblo Restaurante Salvadoreo
Mi Tierra Restaurant
Milagro Restaurant (2 locations)
Motivos
Nino DAversa
Nueva Super Guatemala
Pasteleria Barreda
Perola Supermarket
Picante
Plaza Flamingo
Portofino Vineria
Pupuseria Salvadorea
Rebozos
Rincon Latino
Sabor hispano
Santa Fe
Santo Restaurante
Segovia Meat Market
Sky Ranch Restaurante
So Many Cakes
Tenoch Restaurant Grill & Bar
The Alamo
The Boulevard Caf
Tienda Guadalupe
Tifco/ Fernando Massalin
TRADESA Corp. (Wine & Spirits)
27
Tropical
Venerica Meats, INC
Vitoria Panaderia
Abanico
AGA Latin Productions
BOLDmagazine
Comercio Latino
Compra Y Venta
Cristina Alvaradejo Enterprises
El Centroamericano Newspaper
El Diario Popular
El Expreso Newspaper
El Mundo Latino News
FW Media and Marketing Services/Santiago Osegera
Hispanic Roots
La guia
Latino Communication Services
Mercado News
Periodico La Buena Nueva
Periodico Orgullo Hispano
PG Advertising
Revista Debate
Sports Astros
The Bakery Communications
Toronto Hispana.com
Voces Latinas
Zerofactral Studio Inc.
Other
AAA Dental
Alex Alexander
Ana M. Diaz de Molnar
Ashleys Optical
Avenue Road Eye Care
Bellesmere Dental Clinic
Benitez Dental Clinic
Blanca Cabrera-Vera
Caprice Optical
Cesar Garcia
Clinica Castillo Cirugia
Clinica Cordero
Clinica Dental Dr. Rommel Gutierrez
College & Ossington Dental Office
Consumers Optical
Conversaciones Terapeuticas
Dental Centre
Dental Med @ Keele & Finch
Dentistry on Dupont
Dr Ingrid Gore and Associates
Dr. Alberto Vazquez / Dr. Carmita Bau
Dr. Angela Mendoza Baez
Dr. Elena Calderon Denture Clinic
Dr. Hidalgo Dental Clinic
Dr. Humberto B. Claveria
Dr. Irene V. Ayala
Dr. Jaime Muyal
Dr. Jhon Olarte
Dr. Julio A. Garcia
Dr. Luis Ezqueda
Dr. Mario Mazariegos
Dr. Martha J. Roman
Dr. Oscar Dalmao
4UR Convenience
Adrians Appliances
Agua Pura
Barcelona Home Appliances
Blow Plast of Canada Ltd.
Boomerang
BRS international group
Bus-Transpal-Charters
Carmenza Gifts & Video
Carpet & Blinds Depot
Celis enterpraise Ltd
Cellular Pro
Claudia Campos - Aloe Vera
Colombia Copper & Aluminum
Cponce Construction Inc./ Camilo ponce
E&J Stone G.C. Inc.
Edgar Gonzalez Herbalife
First Choice Electrodomesticos
Gamadino
Glacier Refrigeration
Golds Used Appliances
Hollywood Times
Hondumex General Construction
ILAC
International Abrasives
Intex Renovations
Israel Garage Doors
J.P. Paving Co Inc.
JD interprises
JDG Electronics Ltd.
Jesan Company
Johns Flooring
LozanoDiaz Construction
28
Personal Services
4 dogs grooming salon
Alejandro Uribe MA Laser Skin Care Clinic
Alexandrias Beauty Salon
Alfa & Omega libreria Hispana
Alicias Beauty Salon
Alirios
ALM Amigo Latino Moving
Alma Unisex Salon de Belleza
Amigo Latino Mudanzas
Amigo Plumbing
Angelas Hair design
Aquamed Spa
Argent Mechanical
Beau Solei Tanning Studio
Bio Skin Care clinic Inc.
Blizzard Driving School
Brazilian Hair Studio
Brisa Driving School Inc.
Canadian Aesthetics Academy Inc.
Casa Nova contracting garage doors
Cash Rapido
Christie Refrigeration
Cocos Driving School
Del Sol Muebleria y Tapiceria
DRS Plumbing & Heating
Durangos Beuaty Salon
Eco Cartage & Movers
Economy Optical
Elcys Beauty Salon
Empresas Amazonas
Espejos Hair Styling
Fabiolas Beauty Salon
Hi-Tech Driver Education
Imagen Latina Inc.
International Foot Care Centre
Isabel Serrano - Great glasses
Jaime Rents
Jane St. Optical
Joel Pest Control
Julia M. Pardo Health & Wellness Clinic
Keele Computers Servicio y Reparacion
Kwik Kopy Design & Print Centre (Queensway)
Latino Auto Services
Learners Academy
Leonardo - International Hair Salon
Lipo Express
Long Life Heating & A/C
Los tres reyes
Lucys Beauty Salon
Manuel Bentes
Margaritas
Martha Beauty Centre
Mauros Beauty Salon
Melaleuca Wellness Company of Canada
Moreno Electric
MR Services
Mudanzas Amigo latino
Mystic pointe yoga studies
Nelcys Hair Salon
Party Kids
Phone Cash
Phone Cash
Ria envios de Dinero
Roses Spa
Royal Moving
SDExp Santo Domingo Express
Skin Deep
Spa Serene
Success Inc.
Taima Zone
The Beatiful Lady
The place of Beauty
The renew beautiful salon & Spa service
Toledos
Toms Heating & Cooling Inc.
Toronto Latino
Via Express
Victor Gomez - Scrap Renoval la familia
Vigo Remittance Corp.
Professional Services
AB Spanish Traslation Services
Able Tax Management Partners
Adela Crossley
Andres Perera Translation Services
ArchitectureUnfolded
Battiston & Associates
Canada International Translations Services
Carcamo Personal Injury
Carlos Ampuero
Carranza LLP
Cesar A. Castellon
Codina International
Crane Davies Spina LLP
Cruz Herrera Ltd.
Daniel Grzymisch Accounting
David Noguera
Defensa Hispana
Delgado & Associates
Denise Beker Languages
DN Accouning & Tax
Duffus Consulting
ED Credit Counselling & Consulting
Esteban Uribe
Estela Gonzalez
Federico Perez Hernandez
Felix Rocca
Filici- Palacio Immigration Services
Francisco Rojas Legal Services
FVAct&Tax
29
Rodolfo Higuera
Rojas Canadian Immigration Services
Ron Palleschi
Rossanna Pena
RR Translations
Sivil Consulting Inc
Tax Help
Tax Uno
Torres Toro & Associates
Translation Services for You
Visionlife Inc.
Warren Viegas & Associates
White Gold Financial Services
Appendix B
Latin American Organizations
APICS
Association of Hispanic Professionals
Brazil-Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Canada Colombia Chamber of Commerce
Canadian Association for Latin American
Caribbean Studies
Canadian Colombian Professional Association
Canadian Council of the Americas
Canadian-Latin American Business
Networking Community
Canadian-Latin Group
Casa Cultura
Colombiana
Exalumnos de La Salle
Exatec Ontario
Halton Peel Hispanic Association
Hispanic Ontario Lawyers Association
30
Hispanotech
Hispanic Ontario Lawyers Association
Javeriana Professional Alumni Association
LABA Shulich
Latin American Business Club at Rotman
LAMBA
Latin American Researchers of Ontario
Latin Project Management Network
Mexico-Canada Alliance of Commerce
Peruvian Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Toronto Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Toronto PanAmerican Business Group
Special Thanks
The THCC sends special thanks to the members of the
project committee, our supporters, and contributors, without
whom this project would not be possible.
Our Co-sponsor
City of Toronto
Project Committee
Alicia Bulwik
Diego Casco
Jacob Moshinsky
Fabiola Sicard
Guillermo Schible
Guia Hispana
Daniel Morano
Michel Fournier
Captain Printworks
Creative Collaborators
Lauren Boyce
Jairo Arango
31
Contact
Toronto Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce
Mailing Address:
720 King Street West, Suite 523
Toronto, ON M5V 3S5
To download a digital version of this
report please visit our website or
email info@thcc.ca.
thcc.ca
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32
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