Title: Empowering Latino Entrepreneurs: Mercadito Raices and the Path to Success
Introduction:
In a heartwarming story of determination and resilience, Yolanda Montero, a Columbus resident and Puerto Rico native, found herself in the Midwest six years ago after the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. With a strong desire to start a new life for herself and her two children, Montero packed her bags, reconnected with a friend in Columbus, and embarked on a journey that would lead her to become a successful entrepreneur. Today, Montero is among nine Latino entrepreneurs launching their own businesses as part of the Mercadito Raices program at the Columbus Performing Arts Association (CAPA) Latin Festival.
The Power of Mercadito Raices:
Mercadito Raices, which translates to “Roots Market,” is a business curriculum that provides Latino entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and support to overcome career barriers. Thanks to the collaboration between community partners such as the Our Lady of Guadalupe Center, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the City of Columbus, and the US Small Business Administration Columbus District Office, the program has become a catalyst for success for Latino entrepreneurs in the region.
Training and Support:
The five-month-long Mercadito Raices program includes 12 workshops and 60 hours of one-on-one coaching tailored to the participants’ needs. These entrepreneurs receive bilingual advisory services to help them finalize their business plans, register with the state, obtain insurance, and effectively market and advertise their products or services. By providing support in their native language, language proficiency or cultural understanding is no longer a barrier for Latino entrepreneurs seeking to make their mark in the US market.
The Growing Influence of Latino Entrepreneurs:
Latino entrepreneurs are one of the fastest-growing populations in the nation, and they are also the fastest-growing population of entrepreneurs. This trend highlights the immense potential and drive within the Latino community to create businesses, generate employment, and contribute to the local economy. Programs like Mercadito Raices are crucial in fostering an environment where this entrepreneurial spirit can flourish.
Obstacles Faced by Latino Entrepreneurs:
Launching a business is always a challenging task, but it requires even more courage for individuals coming from different countries and cultures. However, immigrants, migrants, and refugees, including Latino entrepreneurs, possess a unique set of qualities that make them excellent business owners. They possess resilience, creativity, and resourcefulness, brought forth by their experiences and diverse backgrounds. Despite potential barriers, these individuals are determined to carve out a path for themselves, utilizing the resources provided by programs like Mercadito Raices.
The Impact and Success Stories:
The Mercadito Raices program has been instrumental in supporting and empowering Latino entrepreneurs. By offering training, coaching, and access to resources, it has provided a platform for individuals like Yolanda Montero to turn their dreams into reality. Montero’s hairdressing salon, “YM Hair Studio,” which she officially launched during the Mercadito Raices festival, serves as a testament to the hard work and dedication that goes into building a successful business.
Conclusion:
Mercadito Raices is not just a program; it is a symbol of hope, resilience, and community support. By recognizing the potential within the Latino community and providing the necessary tools and resources, it enables entrepreneurs to overcome barriers and achieve their dreams. As the nation embraces the diversity and talent that Latino entrepreneurs bring, programs like Mercadito Raices will continue to thrive, paving the way for a more inclusive and prosperous society.
Summary:
Mercadito Raices is a program that supports Latino entrepreneurs in overcoming career barriers and launching their own businesses. Through training, coaching, and access to resources, participants gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the US market. Latino entrepreneurs are recognized as one of the fastest-growing populations in the nation, bringing a unique set of qualities and experiences that contribute to their success. Despite potential obstacles, programs like Mercadito Raices provide a platform for these entrepreneurs to fulfill their dreams while fostering a more inclusive and prosperous community.
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When Columbus resident Yolanda Montero moved to the Midwest from Puerto Rico six years ago, she didn’t even know where the state of Ohio was.
All she knew was that she wanted to start a new life for herself and her two children after the death. devastation left by hurricane Maria inflicted on her home in 2017. So, she reconnected with an old friend who offered to put her up in Columbus and made the transatlantic move, soon beginning to work as a stylist at her friend’s salon.
Today, Montero is one of nine Latino entrepreneurs launching their own business as part of the third annual Mercadito Raices at the Columbus Performing Arts Association (CAPA). Latin Festival! During the two days of the festival, Montero presented the official launch of his own hairdressing salon “YM Hair Studio” along with the other eight small businesses that make up the Mercadito Raíces.
Montero’s studio, located at 5339 W Broad Street, represents the culmination of decades of hard work: She began working with hair at the age of 12, when she was helping out at her aunt’s beauty salon.
“I never thought I would own a business,” said Montero, now 42. “I am very happy, I am blessed. I have a lot of emotions, but good emotions… Columbus is a blessing, he has given me a lot.”
Mercadito Raices: Helping Latino Entrepreneurs Overcome Career Barriers
Mercadito Raices, or “Roots Market,” is a business curriculum made possible through the efforts of multiple community partners, including the Our Lady of Guadalupe Center, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the City of Columbus and the US Small Business Administration Columbus District Office.
“The Center of Our Lady of Guadalupe has direct access to the (Latino) community, so we can bring them. And, SBDC has the talent and training to make the program happen,” said center program director and festival president Ramona Reyes at the market ribbon cutting Friday.
The program consists of five months of training, with 12 workshops, 60 hours of one-on-one coaching and other bilingual advisory services to help entrepreneurs finalize their deals before presenting them to clients during the Latino Festival in August.
Reyes said that, over the course of the program, participants learn “everything from… how to create a business plan, how to register with the state, have insurance for your business, how to market, advertise and price your product.” .
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Latino entrepreneurs are one of the fastest growing populations in the nation, said Everett Woodel, district director for the US Small Business Administration. And Latinos are the fastest growing population of entrepreneurs in the nation. .
Therefore, Reyes said, the bilingual services offered through Mercadito Raices are intended to boost this growing population of Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the US market.
“Language should not be a barrier to access, being from another country should not be a barrier,” said Reyes.
In her work with Mercadito Raíces, Reyes said, “We can embrace (Latino entrepreneurs) and say, ‘Yes, you can, because we’re here to help you. You are not alone on this path to make your dream come true.’”
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At Friday’s ribbon cutting, Columbus City Councilwoman Lourdes Barroso de Padilla said she understands firsthand why programs like Mercadito Raices have such an impact, having practically grown out of a Latino business.
“As the daughter of a small business owner, small businesses are the lifeblood of our community. It is the heartbeat that makes Columbus great. And I know my dad’s store wrestling was my after school program, my summer camp. We spent so much time there that we actually built a back room so my family could have family dinners together,” de Padilla said.
“And immigrants, migrants and refugees are born con artists and entrepreneurs. We make, we bake, we create, we consult about something.”
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The quest to launch a business requires a lot more courage for someone coming to the United States from a different country or a different culture, de Padilla said.
“(Latino entrepreneurs) are carving a space for themselves in a place where you may not always have language proficiency or cultural understanding. You want to create a space that you feel at home in, you want to do what you really know how to do and essentially carve out a path for yourself,” he said.
“If accessibility isn’t there, you do it yourself.”
The nine new businesses of the Mercadito Raíces this year:
- Andrea Martínez, “Orquídea Boutique,” Flores
- Esbeidy Gonzalez, “Monarcas Sweets & More”, Food
- David Loayza, “Loayza Gifts and Publications,” Author
- Gabriela Loayza, “Loayza Gifts and Publications”, Jewelry
- María Elena Yllescas, “Mexican Charm”, Mexican merchandise
- Sandra Amador, “Dragonflies Sugar’s Cake,” Desserts
- Sarah Aguiar, “Sarah Blaze,” Essential Oils, Miscellaneous
- Yesenia García, “Taquizas ‘El Cobijas’”, Food
- Yolanda Montero, “YM Hair Studio”, Hair Accessories
gtucker@dispatch.com
@tucker0527
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