Peter Guzman knows that there remain challenges ahead for small businesses in Nevada, and as president of the Latin Chamber of Commerce, he’s not shying away from them.
“We need to get our population vaccinated. We need to make sure we are investing in keeping small businesses open today, so jobs are available tomorrow,” he says. “Businesses need to be cleaner, safer and more creative than ever before. Things like curbside are here to stay, and small businesses need to understand that and pivot if need be.”
The Latin Chamber, Guzman says, made real impacts in the community during the pandemic, through thousands of hours of webinars, giving out real money grants and more.
“Our philosophy is to always be advocating for the engine that runs our great community, the small business community,” he says.
Other than the obvious, what challenges are small businesses facing?
Obviously the pandemic is at the forefront, but the challenge that always exists is access to capital. It frustrates me like nothing else. We need banks opening up to all small businesses. Access to capital creates job opportunities and creates better communities. I will never stop advocating for access to capital. I truly believe that it is an investment that is well worth the risks. When entrepreneurs get access to capital, they create new businesses, which creates jobs, which creates dignity. It is that simple.
How can state and local governments help businesses weather the pandemic?
Again, by advocating, fighting and demanding access to capital. But beyond that, doing things like eliminating costs for a period of time, by speeding up permitting and by creating an atmosphere of “its easy to do business in Las Vegas.”
What would Latin-owned businesses benefit from the most in Las Vegas?
I have always felt that Las Vegas and Nevada is business friendly. We must never lose that. It is a community full of creative people, risk takers and entrepreneurs that want to be able to chase their dreams and succeed. We need to always be the incubator for creativity and small business.
What changes need to be done to help improve Southern Nevada’s economy?
Education, workforce training and transportation. These are critical issues now and for our future. We must modernize as quickly as we can.
Describe your leadership style. How did you refine your approach during COVID?
My leadership style has always been to listen more, talk less. But when a decision needs to be made, I make it. I have learned to trust my instincts and to trust those I’ve put around me. I don’t enjoy being around complainers and negative people. I enjoy being around problem solvers and solution types of people. During the pandemic, I doubled down on what has always worked and trusted business fundamentals.
What is the soundest advice you’ve received recently, and who did it come from?
My greatest advice always came from my father. He was my hero and the smartest man I have ever known. Here’s a few doozies from him: “Respect the ground you walk on, it was laid by a smarter person than you;” “Stay away from negative people, they seem to stay exactly where they are;” and one of my favorites, “When they can’t keep up with you, they will talk about you.” I miss that man and often rely on his wise words.
What is your biggest accomplishment with the chamber?
My biggest accomplishments are still in front of me, but my biggest so far is the quick pivot of 2020. To be able to do what the Latin Chamber has done during this horrible pandemic, whether it was giving out over 27,000 reusable masks with my board, or giving out millions in small business grants, I just feel proud of that.
Did you develop any new habits during the quarantine?
Yes, it's called Zoom. The virtual world has actually had a very positive influence on me. I feel like I can keep in contact with people much quicker and I plan on keeping these platforms in my day-to-day.
What are you reading right now? What did you glean from it?
“The Ride of a Lifetime,” by Robert Iger of Disney.
Optimism. Even in the face of difficult times, never yield to pessimism. People aren’t motivated by pessimists.
Decisiveness. All decisions, no matter the difficulty, should be made in a timely way. Chronic indecision is deeply corrosive to morale.
Curiosity. A deep curiosity enables the discovery of new people, places and ideas. The path to innovation begins with curiosity.
Fairness. Strong leadership embodies the fair and decent treatment of people. Empathy is essential.
How do you wind down after a long day or busy week?
My foundation for my existence and everything I do is my family. I met my wife when we were 14 years old and she has given me the greatest 31-year journey of my life and managed to give me my two greatest gifts a man could ask for, my son Jovani and my daughter Tati. My free time belongs to them. Period.
Where do you see yourself and/or the chamber in five years?
You never know where life’s journey is going to take you, but wherever and whatever, I see myself in a capacity of helping small businesses, helping people and impacting my community in a positive way.