Piscataway Native Meets With Ivanka Trump in D.C. for Latina Small Business Roundtable

Katherine (Machado) O’Hara, Piscataway native and founder of The O’Hara Project, a Morristown-based integrated marketing agency, was one of 10 Hispanic women small business owners invited to participate in a United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) roundtable discussion with Ivanka Trump during the 2017 USHCC Legislative Summit.

O’Hara, eager for the chance to exchange ideas and examine the issues facing female Latina business owners, shared that topics discussed at the meeting included the power of the Small Business Association, how people can acquire capital to start and continue businesses, improved access to certifications and increase opportunities for women, particularly Hispanic women, in larger companies.

“Business owners from every corner of the country were represented at that table” O’Hara shared. “I’m honored the Hispanic Chamber saw my voice as an important one and for the opportunity to fuel conversation to be felt on a national level.”

Latinas are leading the way and creating jobs for Americans. According to data compiled from the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2016, there were just under 1.9 million Latina-owned firms, generating $97 billion in annual revenues. Between 2007 and 2016, the number of Latina-owned firms increased by 137% - the highest increase seen among minority women-owned firms. Latina-owned firms comprise 46% of all Hispanic-owned firms (source).

“Ivanka made it clear that the success of female entrepreneurship was a passion and focus,” O’Hara said. “She was an engaged and active leader of these conversations and her commitment to this group was clear.”

O’Hara was pleased that the Trump administration made it a priority to meet with and listen to the concerns and ideas from Latina business owners.

“It was made clear that this was the first of ongoing dialogue with the administration. This group will be an ongoing access point for the administration and willingly accept the ask of being a voice for the Latina business community.”

Founded in 2011, The O’Hara Project is a WBENC (Women-Owned), MBE (Minority-Owned) and pending SDVOB (Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business) certified integrated marketing firm offering public relations, marketing and ideation services. With a client roster including Fortune 100, start-ups and nonprofits, the agency invents and implements solutions that succeed in achieving meaningful connections. Katherine O’Hara, the agency’s founder, has won over 200 industry awards including National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Business Woman of the Year, Leading Women Entrepreneurs, NYIT Alumni Magazine’s “One to Watch”, BMA Best of Show and The New York Creative Hall of Fame. To learn more about The O’Hara Project visit oharaproject.com.

Photos courtesy of Erika Therwhanger (www.erikatherwhanger.com).