DELTONA, Fla. — The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida in Volusia County helps Latinos who own small businesses create relationships in the community and get the tools needed to succeed. Among those businesses is Kelly’s Automotive of Deltona.

What You Need To Know

  • The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida was founded in 2011. The chamber helps empower Latinos grow their businesses by facilitating connections in the area

  • Since its creation, the chamber has helped more than 500 businesses, among them Kelly’s Automotive of Deltona, whose owner Franklin Rodriguez serves as the treasurer for the organization

  • Rodriguez says the community in Deltona has welcomed them with open arms and he hopes to return that by treating everyone who walks in with the greatest customer service

  • They are planning to expand by opening an auto parts store right next to his shop

As soon as the clock hits 7 a.m., it’s time to get to work for the mechanics at Kelly’s Automotive of Deltona. Owner Franklin Rodriguez watches them closely as he misses getting his hands on it and still does from time to time.

“When I get a chance, I still got my uniform in the locker,” Rodriguez said.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Rodriguez remembers it was his uncle who first taught him about mechanics when he was only 8 years old.

“He just was trying to build me to just get my hands on something that I can do for my future, you know? Because like I said, coming from an environment that we don’t have all that many resources that we got over here — it push you to fight, it push you to work for surviving,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez bought his business six years ago, and still has a picture on the wall to remember how things started.

“Well, we started with three employees back in 2018. Now we are a crew of 15 guys,” he said. “I am proud, not because it’s my business, it’s because everything that we’ve been accomplishing so far in such short time as a group, not as an individual,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez says the community in Deltona has welcomed them with open arms and he hopes to return that by treating everyone who walks in with the greatest customer service.

“I don’t care if you are spending one dollar or $10,000, you are going to be treated the same. We try to be transparent. We got an open-door policy here if our customers want to see what we are doing,” Rodriguez said. “We just try to do the best that we can with the resources that we have.”

He said part of their growth and what they’ve learned over the years is thanks to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. Founded in 2011, the chamber helps empower Latinos like Rodriguez to grow their businesses by facilitating connections in the area.

“It is an amazing opportunity to see their success and the contributions we all bring to their community and the society. We have seen so many businesses thrive in our community, especially during the pandemic,” President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida Lourdes Leon said.

She said the chamber helps more than 500 businesses.

“We actually provide them with the latest innovations regarding marketing, finances and education and everything else that they need,” Leon said.

Back at Kelly’s Automotive, Rodriguez said he is already working on his next project. As they are planning to expand by opening an auto parts store right next to his shop.

“And I hope God give me health to keep doing it for probably another 40 or 50 years,” Rodriguez said.