The Philadelphia Business Journal recently honored a pair of minority business leaders from Delaware County at its Fifth Annual Minority Business Leader Awards ceremony.

The event, an evening cocktail reception at the Loews Hotel, honored people who have taken dynamic paths to success, overcome numerous obstacles, and made their mark on the Greater Philadelphia business community.

Rina Desai, a partner at Wayne’s Eigen X, broke through her barriers to success as a woman in small business. She achieved her goal, thanks to her proficiency in networking and negotiating with the right people.

Desai believes that Philadelphia companies should help potential business owners identify opportunities to work together. “Programs and advertising of the benefits of owning a minority-owned business should also help individuals who want to start a business,” she said.

Ana Fernandez-Parmet, president of Havertown-based Parmetech, is currently helping local businesswomen by making herself available to them. She encourages them to meet with her when they are considering getting their business certified.

She pointed out that young professionals need to learn how to sell their skills.

“It is crucial that they know their value proposition and know how to articulate it in a concise and compelling way in a minute or less,” she said.

Read more about the honorees in the Philadelphia Business Journal by clicking here.