No matter what industry you are in - entertainment, finance, media or the arts - New York City seems to be where people from all over the world come to live while striving for their career dreams. Create: Disenadores De Nueva York focuses on overcoming the challenges Latino-Americans face today in developing a 'creative business.' 70 designers were surveyed, and 20 of them were chosen so the company could explore what assistance is needed from the community to help their businesses flourish.

At the beginning of the month NY Designs, a division of LaGuardia Community College, collaborated on a home and support system for small creative design firms to come, rent office space and run their businesses out of. They offered counseling, networking and business events to get small businesses off the ground. This month the goal was to bring awareness, assistance and build business development strategies for today’s Latino designers. In collaboration with Hostos Community College, the program focused on the needs as well as the current issues facing Latino-owned design firms in today’s market.

The event featured designers of everything from jewelry and accessories to architectural and furniture design. This was a chance for creative minds to network, meet and greet others in the Latino design community to increases chances for success in the midst of a recession. The event shed some light on what designers need to get to the next level and allowed them to have their voices heard. Some designers featured:

Diana B. Sierra is an independent design consultant from Bogota, Colombia with a background in furniture, fashion, jewelry design and computer arts. She now teaches product innovation and design to small businesses in Colombia and works on educational workshops for teens.

Lucrecia Novoa is a graduate of the University of Chile with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She specializes in creating masks and costumes to enhance and interpret the storytelling of different cultures. Her pieces have been showcased in galleries all over the Northeastern United States.

Luigi Laguna is the go-to guy for all your leather accessory needs. He holds two degrees from UNAM of Mexico, in Communication Sciences and Acting. While he still does ‘voices,’ his love for leather shines in a creative collection of bracelets, pocketbooks, belts and more. Find his designs online at www.luigilaguna.com and at well-known department stores like Barney's and Saks Fifth Avenue.

For more information on developing your design business in the Latino community, reach out to The Organization of Latino Entrepreneurs, The Business Outreach Center (BOC) Network, ACCION New York and NY Designs at www.NYDesigns.org.

For more style information, style education and entrepreneurial inspiration, visit www.thedressrecycler.com. “Your Bargain Fashion Superhero!”