Some had solid community contacts, some corporate connections. Arias also credits MBA competence within the group. We planned everything correctly, walked before we ran, and trusted our strategic plan. Arias feels the LA group was especially fortunate as they were able to perform as a group. I was more isolated in Chicago.
People have a tendency to get swallowed up by their work and put community second.
I also remember getting lists of MBA students from area schools and combing them for Hispanic surnames. Then I hounded these people, many of whom later became the mainstay of the Chicago chapter. The association began with seven chapters in place, each with unique demands. LA had an established professional community so they had a need for networking. In Chicago, the goal was to try to get more kids to go to college, then on to business school.