Not as well-known and certainly not as big as A-B InBev and Monsanto, Gonzalez Cos. is tucked between the two other businesses on a list of top sponsors of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis.
Sure, says company founder Anthony Gonzalez-Angel, the $10,000 a year his construction management firm pays to be a member helps promote his business. But he could do that with a lesser level of giving, or in different ways.
Gonzalez-Angel says he wants the chamber to have the tools it needs to continue its transition from more of a social entity to an agency that helps build and promote Hispanic businesses — and one that works to bridge the gap between small companies and large corporations.
"Economic empowerment leads to social empowerment," Gonzalez-Angel said.
The chamber, around for three decades, has in the last few years raised its profile significantly. It has seen a surge in membership, made plans to buy its rented office space, scheduled a large-scale job fair for next month and has launched its first Latino Leadership Institute, supported by the chamber's largest sponsor, Centene Corp.
Increasingly, larger and larger corporations are plunking down $5,000 to $25,000 to be bronze, silver, diamond and platinum-level members of the chamber.
But Karlos Ramirez, executive director of the Hispanic Chamber, said the organization is not forsaking the small storefront businesses that pay $150 a year to join.
"The majority of our members remain small businesses," said Ramirez, who last worked as director of the university center and conference services at St. Mary's University in San Antonio.
Partly in response to those smaller members, the growing chamber also is putting together its first restaurant guide, helping answer a common question: "Where do I go for good Mexican food?" READ MORE
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