When Marcos Wanless founded the Seattle Latino Chamber of Commerce in 2016, he wasn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. He just saw that something essential was missing. “At that time, Seattle and King County didn’t have an active Latino Chamber,” he recalls in an interview with Washington Latino News. “If we, as Latinos, wanted a voice at the economic table, we needed to organize and create an institution capable of representing our community’s interests and potential.”
Nearly a decade later, that institution has become a key connector for Latino entrepreneurs across Washington. From construction and hospitality to tech startups and family businesses, the Chamber has grown into a space where Latino business owners can learn, collaborate, and advocate for change. “Chambers of commerce are the backbone of the American economy,” Wanless says. “Our community deserves to be part of that structure.”
Latinos have long been known for their entrepreneurial drive. Across the country, Latino-owned businesses are growing faster than any other group, yet many still operate without access to the support systems that others take for granted. “Even without support, many have built successful businesses through resilience and creativity,” Wanless explains. “But culturally, we’ve often struggled to work collectively through business organizations. That’s something that’s second nature in American business culture.” Since its founding, the Chamber has worked to change that through networking events, workshops, and partnerships designed to help Latino entrepreneurs connect and learn from one another. “We’ve helped nurture this culture of collaboration,” he says. “We still have a long way to go, but the progress is real and inspiring.”
The Chamber’s work centers on three main areas: business formation, business growth, and advocacy. It helps new entrepreneurs navigate the steps of starting a company, registering their business, obtaining licenses, and meeting compliance requirements. It also provides growth opportunities through bilingual workshops and partnerships with major institutions. In recent years, the Chamber has hosted training sessions with Google and Meta on digital marketing, e-commerce, and AI, as well as certified programs with Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries on payroll and compliance. Advocacy remains at the core of its mission. “We represent Latino business interests at local, state, and national levels,” Wanless says. “Our mission is to never say no to anyone who seeks help. We serve not only our members but any Latino business owner who reaches out. If someone needs guidance, we’ll find a way.”
For Wanless, Hispanic Heritage Month is not just about recognition but also about responsibility. “It’s a time to acknowledge the immense economic and cultural contributions Latinos make to the United States,” he says. “Collectively, we contribute over five trillion dollars to the national economy. That makes us, by ourselves, the fifth-largest economy in the world.” Latino women, he adds, are the fastest-growing group of business owners in the country, and Latinos make up the largest share of the American workforce. Yet the visibility of those contributions often lags behind the numbers. “Despite these incredible achievements, many still face legal and systemic barriers that prevent full participation,” he says. “Hispanic Heritage Month is a call to action to continue creating opportunities and ensuring Latino contributions are not only celebrated but empowered.”
“Latino women are the fastest-growing group of business owners in the country, and Latinos make up the largest share of the American workforce”
The success stories coexist with growing challenges. Seattle’s rapid development has made it one of the most expensive cities in the country, and small business owners are feeling the pressure. “Rising rents, wages, property costs, and taxes have placed enormous pressure on small businesses,” Wanless explains. “Many are being pushed out of the city.” He points to public safety and homelessness as additional issues that directly affect entrepreneurs and customers alike. For many Latino business owners, especially those running small family operations, staying open has become increasingly difficult. “These realities make it hard to thrive,” he says. “But that’s exactly why we need strong institutions, to help our community adapt and survive through the changes.”
While the Chamber focuses on local challenges, Wanless emphasizes that the economic inequities Latinos face extend far beyond Seattle. One of the biggest gaps, he says, lies in access to government contracts, a multibillion-dollar source of opportunity that remains largely closed to Latino-owned businesses. “Latinos represent about nineteen percent of the U.S. population but hold just over one percent of all federal contracts,” he says. “That gap is unacceptable.” He believes local and state governments can do more by investing in capacity-building, giving Latino entrepreneurs the resources and training they need to compete for those contracts. “Building capacity means giving Latino businesses the tools to participate in public procurement. We need stronger partnerships and simpler pathways to access those opportunities.”
Beyond equity, the Chamber is also pushing innovation and sustainability. One of its latest achievements is the Washington Zero Emission Vehicle Incentive Program, a 120 million dollar state initiative created with support from the Chamber and the Department of Transportation. Through the program, small businesses can access vouchers covering up to forty percent of the cost of new electric commercial vehicles. For Wanless, it’s a step not just for the environment but for inclusion. “This program helps small businesses transition to sustainable operations while staying competitive,” he says. “It’s a bridge between economic progress and environmental responsibility.”
As the Chamber looks ahead, Wanless remains focused on what first drove him to act, the belief that representation matters. “Latinos are shaping the future of this state,” he says. “From Yakima to Seattle, from restaurants to tech startups, we’re here. Our role is to make sure those voices are organized, visible, and strong.” He pauses for a moment before adding, “We’re not just building businesses. We’re building a legacy for the next generation.”
To learn more about the people, businesses and cultural legacy that influence Seattle’s identity, visit www.visitseattle.org
Cover photo: First Lady of Washington, Colleen Ferguson, Bob Ferguson, Governor of Washington, Rosy Trujillo,
Radio Host Seattle and Marcos Wanless, President of Seattle and Tacoma Latino Chambers of Commerce. Credit/Seattle Latino Chamber of Commerce