Web site promotes local Hispanic business, looks to expand

While Idaho appears to be one of the least racially diverse places in the nation, our state is home to an ever-growing Hispanic population. Although the majority of Latinos in Idaho claim Mexican ancestry, there are populations of Hispanics who come from every country in Central and South America.

Originally from Colombia, Orlando and Sonia Rojas, BSU students, have made their way from the warm sun of Miami to the chilly winds of the Treasure Valley. Driven here by business, the Rojas have been tied to Idaho for almost 12 years. Orlando saw the economic success and power Latinos have in Miami, and he wants to help local Hispanic businesses in Idaho achieve their full potential. The Rojas started a Web site called bravoidaho.com. They believe the Internet provides the best medium to reach out to the Hispanic population in Idaho.

“In any Mexican store you will find two or three computers, so the Internet is now an easy form of access for the Hispanic community,” Orlando said. “I think today it is hard to find a household without a computer and Internet access.”

Bravoidaho.com provides a myriad of information to Hispanics. The Web site features news articles from around Latin America, and also local articles that pertain to the Latino population and culture of Idaho. Users can obtain entertainment, technology, health and lifestyle news with the click of a button.

But one of the most helpful aspects of the Web site lies under the “Nuestros Servicios” (Our Services) tab. Here, interested business owners can enroll in business management training, Web design and hosting services, and photographic and video imaging. They offer a 360-degree video record of households in case of an emergency. This can provide proof of ownership during insurance claims.

While trying to advance the power of Hispanic business in Idaho, the Rojas also hope to change the image of the Hispanic community.

“We have found that the Anglo perspective here in Idaho is that any person that speaks Spanish is immediately associated with the Mexican community,” Rojas said. “It’s important to remember that here in Boise, Idaho, there is a large population of Latinos that are not of Mexican origin. We are people from different countries and with a totally different vision, different cultures and customs.”

The Rojas made it clear they don’t want to distance themselves from the Mexican community. They just want people to understand the diversity of cultures that coexist under the general term of Hispanic. They also want to present a more positive representation of Latinos, who often get a bad rap in the news. Bravoidaho.com celebrates the culture, ingenuity and potential Latinos possess.

“We are an enterprising, thriving people. People who have come to fight, and people who want to do interesting things,” Orlando said.

Bravoidaho.com is still in the beginning stages of development. The Rojas extend an invitation to any Boise State student who would like to help provide content for the Web site relating to the university. They are also looking for more sponsorships and businesses willing to take advantage of the free classified ads.

TERESA ARENZ
Arbiter Journalist

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