A young organization that promotes the success and development of Mexican-American businesses in the South Bay hosted its first recognition breakfast.

The Cámara de Negocios México-Americana (CANEMEXA) recognition breakfast, which was held on July 18 at La Finca de Adobe restaurant in Bonita, served as a tribute to the Mexican-American entrepreneurial success in San Diego’s South Bay region.

In attendance at the breakfast were many small-business owners, representatives of international corporations, as well as current and former elected-officials.

“We want to recognize the success of Mexican-American businesses in the South Bay,” said Canemexa founder Hector Molina.

Canemexa was founded in July, 2011, with the purpose of promoting and supporting the development of its members’ businesses. The organization will celebrate its first anniversary in August with an event at La Finca de Adobe, Molina said.

In less than a year, the non-profit organization has more than 100 paid-members, said Honorary President of the Advisory Board Jesse Navarro, who is also a public affairs officer with the office of San Diego County District Attorney.

“What Canemexa has accomplished in less than a year is impressive,” he said. “It is proof of real teamwork. It’s had an incredible outcome. I know many chambers of commerce throughout the county, and it is really outstanding the work that Canemexa has done in so little time.”

Among the elected officials present at the breakfast was State Assembly member Ben Hueso, who said that Canemexa members represent “the heart and soul of the Hispanic entrepreneurial spirit.”

Hueso said that, as a former small-business owner, in Sacramento he’s focused in supporting bills that promote and improve small-businesses.

“The American Dream is now a given,” he said. “We have to fight for it. Small-business owners know this. My goal as a state assembly member is to bring money to areas where it usually doesn’t go into The idea is to bring more money to the people who need it the most.”

He added that it is very different to be a small-business owner to being part of a large corporation.

“You need a different set of support to run a small-business,” Hueso said. “Canemexa is part of that support.”

Among the Canemexa goals is to improve relationships with businesses in Mexico, something that Hueso said is very important for California businesses.

“The opportunities to do business in Mexico are great, and we have the advantage of having Mexico as a neighbor,” he said. “The more we invest in strengthening those ties, the more people would want to invest in California.”

According to its founders, “Canemexa was founded by like-minded business entrepreneurs to assist, inform, mentor and advocate for their interests and needs and to continue their development by providing a forum for social, education, information, and business referrals in their primary language, Spanish.”

As part of that mission, during the breakfast the organization signed a strategic alliance memorandum with the Center for International Trade Development at Southwestern College.

Among the advisory board are Dee Dee Castro, community relations manager for Viejas Tribal Council, Armando Garcia, co-owner of a local 7-11, Edward Lopez, of Lopez Law Group, and Patrick Osio Jr., of TransBorder Communications and popular writer.

Molina said that Canemexa caters to businesses who are members of the organization, and also to businesses owned by Mexican-Americans.

“Canemexa believes that it is time to celebrate the many achievements of its regional business owners and entrepreneurs who contribute to the vitality and prosperity of our region,” he said.

For additional information and upcoming activities, please visit www.canemexa.com.