Chicago Examiner
February 9, 5:26 PM
by Nykeya Woods, Chicago Small Business Examiner

Inka Internet Station provides a neighborhood Internet experience.

Before the lethargic economy began affecting every aspect of American culture, new business development past 63rd Street was sporadic. With this knowledge, Semaj Salinas took a chance on the community she had grown up in and opened an Internet hub in 2007. The 31-year-old said that opening Inka Internet Station near the Roseland area was something she had planned to do.

“I recognized that there was a serious need for computer technology in my neighborhood. I was laid off from my corporate job and that gave me the push that I needed to venture fully into entrepreneurship,” Salinas said.

Try putting Internet café in yelp.com to figure out where you might want to fax, copy or print documents within the neighborhoods of Morgan Park, Riverdale, Roseland or West Pullman, and only Inka Internet Station populates. Salinas’ small business fills a niche that has been long overlooked and she’s not the only person who feels that way. Several testimonials at inkainternetstation.com proclaim that the neighborhood had a desperate need for the café.

T. Miller’s was one of those people who have welcomed Salinas’ vision. "This cafe has returned black commerce back to the community, providing residents and non-residents of the area a sophisticated and comfortable area to dine and plug into the Internet. I have been to several events featured at this establishment and all have been culturally enlightening experiences," Miller said.

Besides the traditional Internet café functions - Wi-Fi availability, onsite high-speed computer access and printing - Inka Internet Station offers professionals desktop and laptop setup and maintenance, data backup solutions and spyware protection and removal.
Coffee beverages like cappuccinos or lattes, and tea varieties including Chai, herbal and green are available. Jerk Chicken Wraps, Turkey Sausage Pizzas, Pineapple Chicken Quesadillas, Beef Quesadillas, Veggie Quesadillas, Chicken or Beef Burrito, Beef Fajitas or Spinach Strawberry Salad are available for those looking to fill their stomach.
Salinas, who has a degree in computer science and once worked at Computer Sciences Corp., said technology education and access is important for the community. “My goal is to help narrow the ‘Digital Divide’ gap,” Salinas said.

Inka Internet Station, named after Salinas’ daughter, is a multipurpose establishment offering business networking events, art exhibitions, open mic and movie night with When We Were Kings being shown on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. When the weather becomes warmer, Salinas is planning to expand Inka Internet Station to a backyard outdoor café.

Since Salinas opened Inka Internet Station, the area has seen some economic development with the introduction of convenience, grocery and auto parts stores. A strip mall has also been added within five blocks of Salinas’ spot.

Those interested in dropping in and checking out Inka Internet Station services can purchase an access card and use it at anytime. Minutes never expire.

For more information about Inka Internet Station, 11320 S. Halsted St., visit inkainternetstation.com.

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- bringing the digital gap

photo by steed media service Owner, Inka Internet Station Both her father and grandmother were successful entrepreneurs, and it seemed inevitable that young Semaj Salinas would someday follow suit. Over a year after leaving her computer consulting position due to downsizing, the South Side native became the owner and brains behind the Inka Internet Station located in historic Pullman. The inspiration behind starting the trendy company was simple. "It had been something I wanted to do because [the South Side] is the area I grew up in and live in now," she explains. "I knew that technology was one of the biggest needs over here so I wanted to open a computer center, and I decided to incorporate the café side." While Inka offers features that are common in typical public Internet hubs, it distinguishes itself by adding computer classes, business and civic meetings, and live music performances to the mix. The goal is to educate the consumers that support the business.

"It's called Inka Internet Station as opposed to Inka Internet Café because I didn't want to be just labeled as a café," Salinas says. "I look at it as a community place as well, and a social environment."

Salinas says she would like to see more stations set up throughout the South Side and hopes all minorities will come to understand the importance of being technologically literate. "It's important because no matter what kind of field you're in, any type of job you get nowadays - unless it's working in a factory or warehouse - you still have to deal with computers," she says.
-gavin philip godfrey

http://www.rollingout.com/v2/business/wk052908/bp_chi_ssalinas.php