By Jennifer Riley

Having read one too many traveler-beware stories about her native Mexico, journalist Mayté Rodríguez Cedillo decided to counteract the negativity.  The result of her pro-Mexico campaign debuted on newsstands last year and will reappear this November in the form of the second issue of Baja Traveler Magazine.

Developing Baja Traveler from a mere idea to a glossy, upscale magazine displayed on the racks of national bookstores Barnes & Noble, Crown and Borders was no easy task for the 35-year-old entrepreneur.  But with a 400,000 audited circulation that extends beyond the United States, Canada and Mexico to Spain, Italy, France, Germany and England, the publication is an international hit.  The addition of Japanese-language sections to the quintilingual mix will expand the reach of this year’s edition.

“Someone looking at my life might think it’s glamorous having my own business, but it is so much work,” admits Rodríguez, who lives in San Diego.  “But since it is mine, I don’t feel that it’s too much work.  Sometimes I work 16 hours a day, but I’m in charge of my own time.  I don’t like to be on someone else’s schedule.”

As a Latina who has become her own boss, Rodríguez is in good company.  Hispanics as a group are starting businesses at a faster rate than any other minority group.  Between 1987 and 1997, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the number of Hispanic-owned businesses grew 232 percent.  At the same time, the number of female-owned businesses saw a tremendous jump.  In fact, more than one-third of all businesses in 1997 were female-owned.