Tell us about your business; please provide as many details as possible including your mission statement.

Mr. Rodriguez is currently the CEO and founder of Integrated Digital Technologies Corp-idt.edu. As an entrepreneur, he started several companies such as: AxxiomData.com, GlobalTrainer.com, IDTrewards.com, TrainingRoomforrent.com, Mitrainingpartners.com, and MySBsite.org. He is currently prototyping two new ventures. Being an entrepreneur and sharing his knowledge are his life. With an extensive background in IT, Education, Management, Marketing, Accounting and Sales, he has created successful organizations. His clients range from corporate America to individual seeking to change their careers. He is directly involved with organization such as Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco, IBM, EC-Council and delivers their official curriculum and consulting services. Mr. Rodriguez has trained thousands of WIA state funded students and has helped them get new opportunities in the IT field. Mr. Rodriguez has multiple degrees and IT certifications and holds Trainer’s credentials for the top IT organizations. His pursuit and passion for education has always characterized him. Throughout the years, he has served as a Board Member for several organizations including the American Red Cross. He was recently involved in the planning of the largest Microsoft Partner Conference in LA, where he participated in Microsoft day of giving that benefit the Magic Johnson Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club.

What role has the Latino culture played in the inspiration and continuation of your business?

Being originally from Venezuela and arriving to this country at the age of 15 1/2, all alone, no family or friends made me realize that being an immigrant in the US is not easy. While pursuing my American dream and after culminating my studies, I started to set goals for myself, but regardless of my success, I notice the lack of opportunities available fellow Latinos. It always intrigue me why I was obtaining success and others no. This is when my passion to educate others and specially my fellow Latino community spark more of my interest. My own community has inspired me to become better and at the same time help as much as I can on their success. Throughout the years, I have educated and mentored thousands of Latinos students who are now in technology related positions as well as created hundredth of jobs from which 50% have been filled by Latinos. I continue creating ventures that will involve my community and help us all become a powerful group of hard working professionals.

How do you and/or your business give back to the community?

Throughout the years, I have been given a lot by my community. I have the urge to balance my life by giving back to my community. I am currently involved with many organizations that help others such as the American Red Cross, Boys and girls Club, etc as well as host events in different topics that influence their decisions or life, but one of the most recent organizations that I am involved with is Friends of Cerritos School (Glendale Unified School District). A group of colleagues realize that our Latino communities are full of parents that are unable to provide the support to the school due to the number of jobs they work and the fact that many parents are unemployed. Our goal is to help these kids and parents either financially, with goods or with educational guidance so that their kids are successful. We also understand that the support that parents give to middle class schools must be picked up by the business community or individuals that care. Statistically, 90% of this school population is at poverty level and providing help or a role model may improve the situation. I believe that I can make a difference. I believe that any giving, whether financial or "in-kind", is appreciated by our Latino Community.

Why did this person choose this profession?

Due to her ongoing commitment to our Latino youth, it is my perception that Jennifer Gomez Chavez began her career at the University of New Mexico in 1995 when she signed on as Mentor Coordinator. Jen directed the Peer Mentor program for approximately 250 freshmen students in the College Enrichment Program where she was responsible for hiring, training, and supervising 18 peer mentors annually. She also facilitated social activities and informational workshops & developed evaluation materials to monitor the program's progress. Jennifer increased student participation at monthly meetings from 10-- over 100 students & established creative funding techniques and incentives which lead to 100% participation with student mentors. While @ the university, Jen has served in numerous roles, but recently as the Graduation Express Program Team Leader working alongside administrators towards the goal of increasing undergraduate graduation rates. In one of her immediate past success stories, from 2006 to the present, Jen served as the Director of all university Title V federal program increasing the budget to 2.8 million dollars! She coordinated efforts within Student Affairs and Academic affairs to improve campus climate for Hispanic and low-income students. Jen gained both local national recognition in this role.

What role has the Latino culture played in inspiring you to start your own business?

The Latino community/culture has always been part of her career, since her work the LULAC National Educational NM Service Center where she served as a High School Academic Counselor from 1990-1992. She began as college liaison in advising and recruiting high school and non-traditional students to post-secondary schools & worked with colleges and universities throughout the state of New Mexico to encourage and recruit students to attend college. Jen served as liaison between students and student services from universities across the country & assisted students with admission, financial aid, and scholarship forms. Organized fieldtrips to post-secondary institutions as well as career exploration visits while she connected students to resources regarding personal, individual, or financial resources. Advised and counseled non-traditional students who were seeking to enter college. In that role, Jen designed and organized informational workshops for students from underrepresented and first generation Hispano backgrounds. Jen also learned to collaborate with the business community to develop funding for the program. Some of Jen's PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS: “The Look and Feel of Institutionalization” 2011 Southwest Regional Title V Conference, and National Title V Conference “M.A.P.S.—Multiple Academic Pathways to Success” 2011 HACU—Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Conference UNM’s Provost’s Committee on Advising” 2009 NACADA Regional Conference Always citing Latino Culture!

How does the company contribute to the community?

Jen is active in a variety of community and university wide programs such as: * National MS Society: Rio Grande Chapter & NM Leadership Council Member since her 2009 diagnosis * NM's Hispanic Heritage Month Committee Chair & Co-Chair, De Colores Inc. 2005 – Present. Jen was also recognized recently by the ABQ Hispano Chamber of Commerce at the annual Hispanic Heritage Luncheon for her give back to the annual statewide celebration of NM's Hispanic Heritage Month events. Among her other give back past experiences: * UNM LOBOS for Legislation, Committee Member,2007-Present * UNM Graduation Task Force, 2005-Present * International Holistic Health Symposium, UNM/Cuernavaca, Mexico * UNM Re-Engineering Program Member, 2000 * UNM Scholarship Office Committee Member,2000 * UNM Special Admissions Committee, Committee Member,1998-2006 * UNM Minority Engineering Programs in Math and Science Laison, 1998 – 2002 * UNM Athletic Advisement Advisor,1997–2006 * UNM Anderson Schools of Management MBA Program, Co-Coordinator Recruitment Workshop,1997– 2004 * LULAC Summer Program University Liaison,1996-2004 * UNM Summer Bridge Program Co-Chair,1995–2007 * LULAC National Educational Service Center, 1990-1992 As you can see, Jen has a long term commitment and just keeps going.....

Tell us about this business’ vision.

The goal of Academia del Éxito is to bring prosperity to emerging Latino Businesses through education and support. Our goal is to empower and inspire Latinos in their native language to discover their own potential, productivity and growth within a cultural framework. There are many seminars and speakers in the marketplace already but few have designed a model that takes students from little direct knowledge through the launching and support of their business. The ultimate goal for Academia del Éxito is to serve as a business incubator in which aspiring Latino business owners have access to the resources and services necessary to succeed in the business world. Additionally, we have developed several programs geared specifically towards Latina women. These personal development programs are designed to empower Latina entrepreneurs to accomplish their goals of financial stability and success. We recognize that there are many large scale organizations that are available for businesses, but our goal is to be available at the local/community level...assisting businesses in the local areas where we establish our centers.

What role has the Latino culture played in inspiring this individual to start their own business?

Growing up I was able to see first hand the challenges that my parents went through in running their businesses. With their hard work and perseverance they were able to start and run several successful businesses but their struggle came in maintaining these businesses afloat. The bigger the business got, the bigger the problems that came with them. Their biggest challenge was that they didn't have access to resources and services in their native language. Their biggest obstacle was their limited English skills. A successful business must be surrounded by a strong team and they didn't know how to put this together. Fast forward 20 years later..the same is still true for many struggling Latino business owners. Technology is moving at such a rapid phase and the business marketplace is growing exponentially, yet many Latino business owners are having a hard time keeping up with these changes. It is the goal of Academia del Exito to be bridge that brings together current/potential Latino business owners with the services and resources that are available and hopefully strengthen their possibilities of success. I want to ensure that other Latino business owners don't experience the heartaches that may parents did.

Will this business help the community?

Latinos by nature are entrepreneurial. It's in our blood. Academia del Exito believes that if we are able to provide and make accessible business development resources and services in Spanish to the Latinos we will be able to strengthen the community as a whole. There are many Latino immigrants that would love to start their own business, but they don't know how to do it. We want to hold their hand through this process in an environment that is safe and comfortable for them. Recall the old adage... “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”. We want to teach Latinos to "fish". We will be contributing a portion of our services to low income communities and will be working closely with women shelters to ensure that these individuals also get an opportunity to discover their own potential, productivity and growth....if they so desire.