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CIBER Focus: “Entrepreneurship in Cuba” with Alexis Martinez Suri

Posted on by Kelley School

CIBER Focus Interview

CIBER Focus Topic: Entrepreneurship in Cuba

December 28, 2017

Alexis Martinez Suri is President and Founder of Havana Vintage Car, which provides taxi services to clients in the tourism sector. Before founding his company, Alexis studied economics and worked for multiple different businesses in Cuba. To help improve his family’s economic situation, Alexis was a taxi driver for a while, eventually deciding to combine it with his love for classic cars, leading to him founding his own agency with his friends.


In this video, Alexis will share his story and some challenges he has faced as an entrepreneur in Cuba.

CIBER Focus: “Entrepreneurship in Cuba” with Mel Peralta Hernándes

Posted on by Kelley School

CIBER Focus Interview

CIBER Focus Topic: Entrepreneurship in Cuba

December 26, 2017

Mel Peralta Hernándes is owner operator of Toscana Cafe; a hostel and Italian restaurant in Havana, Cuba. Mel did not always dream of being a restaurant owner but in his youth wanted to be a soccer player; then later he attended the University of Economic Studies at the University of Havana. Eventually he decided he wanted to become an entrepreneur and started that dream in 2013.


In this video, Mel will share his story and some challenges he has faced as a young entrepreneur in Cuba.

CIBER Focus: “Entrepreneurship in Cuba” with Augusto González

Posted on by Kelley School

CIBER Focus Interview

CIBER Focus Topic: Entrepreneurship in Cuba

December 24, 2017

Augusto González is a part owner of a family restaurant in Havana, Cuba. He did not originally plan to be in the restaurant business having graduated from the Cybernetics School at the University of Havana. However, after completing his degree, Augusto was offered the opportunity to be part of a family restaurant and he climbed aboard. He has been there ever since and worked hard to continually improve his business.


In this video, Augusto will share his story and his insights into entrepreneurship in Cuba.

CIBER Focus: “Entrepreneurship in Cuba” with Karla Padrón Nardiz

Posted on by Kelley School

CIBER Focus Interview

CIBER Focus Topic: Entrepreneurship in Cuba

December 22, 2017

Karla Padrón Nardiz is an Executive Producer at Vistar Magazine, an independent magazine in Havana, Cuba that focuses on Cuban culture. After graduating with art history, Karla worked in the Cuban Film Institute until she learnt about Vistar and was given the opportunity to be part of its young team. Karla jumped on this opportunity and has been there ever since.


In this video, Karla will tell us a little bit about her story, Vistar magazine, and some challenges she faces as a young entrepreneur in Cuba.

CIBER Focus: “Entrepreneurship in Cuba” with Manuel Antonio Arias Seijas

Posted on by Kelley School

CIBER Focus Interview

CIBER Focus Topic: Entrepreneurship in Cuba

December 20, 2017

Manuel Antonio Arias Seijas is owner and graphic designer for Diseñarte, an independent graphic design firm in Havana, Cuba. After studying graphic design at Instituto Superior de Diseño (ISDI), part of the University of Havana, Manuel worked for the International Film School of San Antonio de Los Baños. During his time there, Manuel found opportunities for side jobs, eventually inspiring him to start his own business that grew to be his sole focus. From working for someone else, to turning his side jobs into his own growing business, Manuel has achieved the dreams of many young entrepreneurs.


In this video, Manuel will share his story, discuss the Cuban entrepreneurial landscape, and share some advice for young entrepreneurs.

CIBER Focus: “Entrepreneurship in Cuba” with Reyna Mercedes Hernández Sandoval and Yadira Pintado Lazcano

Posted on by Kelley School

CIBER Focus Interview

CIBER Focus Topic: Entrepreneurship in Cuba

December 18, 2017

Reyna Mercedes Hernández Sandoval and Yadira Pintado Lazcano are the female Cuban duo that goes under the artistic name of La Reyna y La Real. Both women from Havana, started their music career separately but were brought together by their now manager Moises Whittaker Alvarez in 2012. Reyna and Yadira use their music to challenge stereotypes and protest. By rapping about their real life struggles, triumphs and everything in-between, Reyna and Yadira use their music to encourage optimism and empower other women. La Reyna y La Real are members of the Agencia Cubana de Rap (Cuban Rap Agency).

In this video, Reyan and Yadira will share their story and some advice for young entrepreneurs.

IIB Insider: Celebrating Entrepreneurship in Cuba

Posted on by Kelley School

IIB Insider: Celebrating Entrepreneurship in Cuba

The Kelley School of Business hosted seven Cuban entrepreneurs for a week long adventure, which resulted in, at least, two-way learning, idea generation and discussion, and the building of lasting friendships

December 11, 2017

Post by IIB’s Timothy Smith


Reyna Mercedes Hernandez Sandoval and Yadira Pintado Lazcano of La Reyna y La Real join IIB’s Timothy Smith

I had the great pleasure of hosting seven Cuban entrepreneurs this past August as part of our ongoing CIBER Focus video series. Kelley School of Business faculty member, Keith Dayton, approached me about this wonderful opportunity (thank you, Keith!) and we at the IIB were thrilled to be a small part of this meaningful international relationship-building experience.

Each of our talented visitors sat down with me in the studio for a video interview and we will be posting the interviews over the coming days. I also had the pleasure of engaging our guests several times over the course their week-long visit. Indeed I was humbled to learn about each person’s story, the sustainable companies they are a part of, and the sound advice offered to other entrepreneurs who look to create and sustain enterprises. At the end of the week, I was greatly inspired by their tenacity, intelligence, and most gracious spirits. 

Thank you, Reyna, Yadira, Karla, Alexis, Manuel, Mel, and Augusto for joining us in Bloomington. ¡Buena suerte, mis nuevos amigos cubanos! Mantente en contacto, por favor.

CIBER Focus: “Nationalism and Identity in Greater Kurdistan” with Dr. Djene Bajalan

Posted on by Kelley School

CIBER Focus Interview

CIBER Focus Topic: Nationalism and Identity in Greater Kurdistan with Dr. Djene Bajalan

December 1, 2017

Dr. Bajalan is an Assistant Professor of History at Missouri State University and has studied and taught in Turkey, Great Britain, and Iraqi Kurdistan. He holds a Ph.D. in Oriental Studies from the University of Oxford and focuses his research on ethno-national activism of Kurds in the late Ottoman Empire. He is currently finalizing a monography on Kurdish participation in Ottoman affairs leading up to World War I.

In this video, Dr. Bajalan will draw on his extensive research into Kurdish history to discuss contemporary issues and identity in Kurdistan.


CIBER Focus: “Female Education and Empowerment in Afghan Communities” with Dr. Laila Ayoubi

Posted on by Kelley School

CIBER Focus Interview

CIBER Focus Topic: Female Education and Empowerment in Afghan Communities with Dr. Laila Ayoubi

November 19, 2017


Dr. Laila Ayoubi was born in Afghanistan, daughter of the Commanding General of the Afghan Royal Air Force. She fled to Pakistan after the Soviet Invasion in 1979 and later immigrated to the United States. She served on the diplomatic staff at the Afghan Embassy in Pakistan from 2003 through 2006, participating in Afghanistan’s reconstruction program. Dr. Ayoubi lectures about women’s rights and equality, focusing on Afghanistan. Recently, she published the novel, Niki’s Honor, about the practice of honor killings.

In this video, Dr. Ayoubi draws from her personal experiences and work in Afghanistan to discuss her novel and the climate of female education and empowerment in Afghan communities. 

CIBER Focus: “Women and LGBT Empowerment in Emerging Markets” with Dr. Yana Rodgers

Posted on by Kelley School

CIBER Focus Interview

CIBER Focus Topic: Women & LGBT Empowerment in Emerging Markets with Dr. Yana Rodgers

November 10, 2017

Dr. Rodgers is a Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies at Rutgers University, where she teaches courses and conducts research in feminist economics, labor studies, and development economics. Many of her studies have focused on East and South Asian economies, and she has traveled to and lived in Asia to conduct her research.

In this video, Dr. Rodgers gives us her take on the economic impact of female and LGBT empowerment in developing countries.


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