Salvador Ayala Jr. is the CEO and President of UNIKO Enterprises, Inc. DBA UNIKO BIZ Solutions, UNIKO Media Group, UNISERV Financial and Gellyfish Commercial.

Sal has a passion for his family and living life to the fullest. He has three children, two grandchildren, and a beautiful wife. He loves horses, boats, and dirt bikes; basically, anything exciting and outdoors! Sal is the youngest in a family of five sisters. He was brought to the United States at the age of five and he was quick to learn that hard work and perseverance pay off.

Sal believes any business should have the same core values as a family, and entrepreneurs must find a healthy balance between the two. Sal became an entrepreneur in 1996, when he opened his first insurance brokerage. He has owned and sold insurance brokerages and has owned Allstate agencies for 7 years of his career. In addition, he has also started multiple companies, from real estate and mortgage brokerages to a construction company.

In 2003 he franchised his business model combining insurance, mortgage and real estate. While building the franchise and becoming very involved in the technology and marketing sides of the franchise, Sal discovered his passion for digital marketing and the relation between marketing and technology. He then decided to offer these services outside his franchise to other businesses, starting UNIKO Enterprises, Inc.; DBA UNIKO Media Group and UNIKO BIZ Solutions.

His entrepreneurial spirit comes in large part from listening to his sisters talk about finding ways to supplement the family’s income. From selling clothes at the swap meet to preparing taxes for friends and family members at the kitchen table until finally being able to open their insurance agency and tax office.

To this day, Sal still owns an insurance agency, is thriving in the Online Digital Marketing world, and loves helping new entrepreneurs energize their ideas as well as helping existing entrepreneurs grow their businesses to the next level.

Sal serves on several non-profit boards to help his community and advocate on behalf of small businesses. Sal is the currently the IE Region Chair of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, Co-Chair of The Greater Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Director on The Greater Coachella Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and finally Director on UNIDOS For board. Sal is always looking for ways to give back to his community.

Carmen Lainez, I.E. Regional Director, emigrated from Nicaragua to the United States when she was 5 years old.  Ms. Lainez attended the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) for undergrad and obtained her degree in Political Science with a minor in Law & Society.  Ms. Lainez then attended Southwestern Law School where she received her Juris Doctorate and is an active member of the State Bar California. 

Ms. Lainez is an advocate for social justice and a lawyer who stands for the rights of others.  She acquired international experience working with U.S. Aid in Nicaragua; and was instrumental in helping the Nicaraguan Government implement the DR-CAFTA Agreement through comprehensive proposals submitted to the country’s legislature. 

At present, Ms. Lainez is Corporate Counsel for DMCG, Inc. dba Bail Hotline Bail Bonds, Fugitive Recovery Investigations, Inc., and the McGuire Restaurant Group.   Her private practice, Lainez Law Group, is focused on areas which further equality: such as Immigration, Family, and Criminal law.  She helps families and individuals successfully obtain legal status in the United States; prevents persons wrongfully detained from unlawful removal, and generously provides counsel to many regardless of their income. 

Sylvia S. Duarte,President/CEO Antelope Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

I am currently retired, but have a business that my HusbandStarted, Moonlite Sounds We provide PA’s & Photography for business event, weddings, quinceaneras.

I worked for Penny Lane Foster Agency, where I recruited and trained potential parents to become Foster Parents, this was a passion that I had being able to connect childrenwith parents. I did this for 20 years, during this time is when Ibecame involved with the Antelope Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I have been involved with them for over 16 years.

I also serve on the Advisory Board for Mental Health America,The Palmdale Woman’s Club, Bomber Townand Soroptimist InternationalAntelope Valley.I am very involved in the Communityand our Veteransand our Breweries.

I have been marriedfor 25 years but have been with my Husband for 37 years, I have two sons Aaron and Mychal and a grandson named Andy who just graduated from high school. I also have a dog named Maxx.