Finees Mendez...an immigrant from the Dominican Republic who moved to Rhode Island with his family when he was 9 years old, was inspired to go to college and become an entrepreneur himself.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and math from the University of Rhode Island, Mendez joined friends in starting RI Marketing & Advertising in 2001.

Since then, Mendez, 26, has become the sole owner and marketing director of the six-employee company. He has shifted the company’s focus from printing and graphic design to supplying marketing packages for small businesses, including printed material, Web design, public relations, branding and graphic design.

Mendez’ entrepreneurial success is hardly the exception in the Latino community, says Tomas Avila, Latino business developer at the R.I. Small Business Development Center. He’s seen an increase in the use of RISBDC services to start or improve businesses by Latinos whose parents were immigrants....

....Xzito Creative Solutions LLC, a Pawtucket-based branding, Web development and marketing firm, also caters to minority businesses and mainstream businesses.