In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, North Riverside Park Mall is celebrating five Hispanic entrepreneurs whose businesses reflect creativity, perseverance, family tradition, and strong community ties. Their stories span photography, toys, personalized gifts, Ecuadorian products, and fine jewelry:
• Matt Morales turned a hobby into Digital Hot Shots, a photography studio that has continued to evolve and thrive for three decades.
• Saida and Jose Medina created Zippy Toys, an experience-driven destination where kids and adults can play, explore, and spark their creativity.
• Juan Colmenares launched 3D Luxury Crystals to create personalized engraved keepsakes that celebrate loved ones and important moments.
• Mercedes Conejo built Central Llama around distinctive home goods, clothing, and jewelry inspired by Ecuadorian art and trade traditions. Her children and other family members also help create the pieces by hand.
• Julio Morales began learning jewelry design at age 14 and now passes on his craft and business knowledge to his children and grandchildren through Julio’s Jewelry.
Together, these entrepreneurs offer a local look at the many paths to entrepreneurship — from turning a personal passion into a lasting business to preserving cultural and family traditions for a new generation.
Photo Credit: North Riverside Park Mall
