Becoming their own CEOs: Empresas Program expands to Tigard
Starting a small business is challenging. The application process can be confusing, start-up costs can be expensive, and now with the pandemic, keeping the business afloat is its own beast. And for Latinx entrepreneurs, a language barrier can make all of these already difficult tasks even more complex. “Often, we meet entrepreneurs who have an exciting idea but don't know where to turn with questions about starting a business,” says Lloyd Purdy, Economic Development Manager for the City of Tigard.
Norberto Gaona, co-owner of New Impressions Flooring and More LLC and Empresas graduate.
Latinos living in the U.S. experience lower rates of homeownership, health insurance coverage, and income than other groups, and often find it extremely difficult to achieve success in the corporate environment. As the number of Latino CEOs remains significantly low over the past decade, entrepreneurship provides a realistic way for Latinos to achieve financial stability for themselves and their families.
On a larger scale, Latinx-owned businesses provide a robust boost to the U.S. economy, as well as to smaller local economies. According to Standford Business, “if Latinos are basically at a subsistence level and not at a stronger level equal to everyone else — the whole economy will suffer”.
Araceli De La Cruz, owner of La Popular and Empresas Program graduate, prepares her tamales to sell at a local farmers market.
The Empresas Small Business Development Program at Adelante Mujeres teaches and supports Latinx small business owners with the goals of creating a vibrant local economy and empowering people to pursue their dreams of opening a business. The Empresas team offers long-term coaching for entrepreneurs, from startup to sustaining and growing the business. It’s a committed partnership.
Javier Urenda teaches an Empresas class.
When the pandemic hit, the Empresas team, led by Javier Urenda, quickly adjusted to the evolving needs that small business owners were facing. During the 2020 fall and winter surge in Covid cases, Urenda and his team helped food-based businesses implement strategies for pick-up and delivery services, apply for rent assistance, purchase or replace their food trucks, and much more.
Latinx-owned small businesses, like La Panadera in Forest Grove, are thriving — even through the pandemic.
Adelante Mujeres has been limited to offering these services to entrepreneurs in Hillsboro and Beaverton — until now. Thanks to a new initiative and partnership with the City of Tigard, Empresas is expanding at a time when it is needed the most.
“We're actively working to remove barriers for all entrepreneurs,” says Lloyd Purdy. “Adelante Mujeres' Empresas Small Business Development Program is a great example of a partner providing a unique service to entrepreneurs — Spanish language guidance and counseling.”
The expansion is an exciting endeavor for Urenda and his team at Adelante Mujeres. “In August of 2021, the Empresas Program is expanding services to the city of Tigard,” says Urenda. “Participants will have access to business courses, one-on-one coaching and technical assistance, access to capital, and access to the market.”
Staff from the City of Tigard met with the Adelante Mujeres Empresas team to discuss the partnership.
“This time next year, we'd like to see a dozen new businesses in Tigard led by entrepreneurs who know they can rely upon Adelante Mujeres to support them as they start and grow their business,” says Purdy. “Owning and running a small business is difficult and full of challenges. Supporting Latinx entrepreneurs with business advising and guidance from Adelante Mujeres means participating entrepreneurs are more likely to succeed past the start-up phase of a new business.”
Like the folks with the City of Tigard, we can’t wait to see more Latinx entrepreneurs join their business community — for the local economy, the community, and the people who dream of turning their passions into a business and becoming their own CEO. We’ll stand with you every step of the way, so dream big. Adelante.
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