Born into poverty in Puerto Rico to a mixed-race family, Dr. Nelson Soler, Ph.D., has made it his mission to inspire aspiring professionals and entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams. From early leadership roles as the co-founder of the Society of Hispanic Engineers to co-founding the Ethnically Diverse Business Coalition in Wisconsin, his ventures have led to business empowerment.
In 2017, Dr. Soler established the Latino Chamber of Commerce after conducting focus groups across various counties to identify the needs of emerging Latino enterprises. His foresight and leadership identified the challenges Latinos face, who are 34% more likely to start a business, in accessing the social, human and financial capital needed for growth. Under his astute leadership, the chamber has become a regional leader in microlending, achieving this status faster than any other chamber in the state’s history.
The mission of the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Southwestern Wisconsin is to foster Wisconsin’s economic development by advocating, strengthening, and promoting the growth and development of Latino and other minority emerging enterprises to increase access to capital, business opportunities, job creation and capacity-building programs.
The budget was $1200 when he started the chamber. Today, the chamber has distributed over 2.1 million in loans, grants, and technical assistance services to hundreds of enterprises at risk of peril while increasing its capacity to serve over 400 enterprises annually and sustain five jobs. The organization has also delivered 960 hours of technical assistance and training to over 500 businesses, empowering entrepreneurs with the skills they need to succeed.
“Dr. Soler has facilitated the creation of over 6,200 enterprises in Wisconsin and has supported U.S., Latin America, Ethiopia, Turkey and Burma entrepreneurs through culturally relevant approaches,” said his staff. “There is no other individual in the state with such a record.”
As a result, Dr. Soler has received over ten state, national, and regional awards for his advocacy, education, and support of minority enterprises. He was recognized with the 2023 community leadership award by El Conquistador Newspaper, named one of the 39 most influential Latinos of 2020 by Madison365, and received the 2018 community business development award by WEDC.
“Leadership is a lifelong journey, and every day presents new lessons and challenges that push me to ensure my values and moral compass guide my decisions,” said Dr. Soler. “If I could master one skill, it would be the ability to effectively lead those who do not share my values or moral perspectives.”
