New North Side program aims to ‘empower’ Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs

Starting a business can be daunting, and if your English isn’t perfect, it’s even scarier.

Some neighborhoods have an abundance of resources for Spanish speakers interested in starting a business while others don’t — especially on the Far North Side.

How can one successfully take a leap into small-business ownership if they aren’t sure what trappings to avoid?

The non-profit Rogers Park Business Alliance hopes to close that gap through its new intensive Spanish-speaking curriculum, GROW-Progresando.

In addition to teaching attendants how to create business models, write business plans, set goals and implement marketing strategies, it’ll also help start-ups get proper registrations and licenses. Those in the program will also get a chance to network with more established Hispanic business owners.

“Spanish speakers are missing out on a lot of resources in the North Side,” said Rebeca Fernández, the bilingual program manager for Rogers Park Business Alliance. “It’s not like Pilsen where there are so many Spanish-speaking programs to help people.”

The language barrier has caused a disconnect for Spanish-speaking people in Rogers Park who want to open a business but aren’t sure where to begin, Fernández said.

“Technology changes very fast and sometimes the Latino community isn’t aware of it and how it affects their business’ growth.” Fernández said. “If they don’t know the language it becomes difficult for them to keep up with all these changes.”

Hispanics make up over 20% of Rogers Park’s population, according to recent census estimates. And 70% of businesses in the neighborhood are small startups, according to Sandi Price, executive director of the Rogers Park Business Alliance.

GROW-Progresando’s first intensive one-day class will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Rogers Park Business Alliance’s headquarters, at 1448 W. Morse Ave.

Starting Feb. 27, the classes will be held at the nonprofit’s satellite site, at 7056 N. Clark St. The site is currently undergoing renovations through a $144,000 grant from the Coleman Foundation that was also used to fund GROW-Progresando.

The courses are free for Rogers Park Business Alliance members. But for non-members, it will cost $100 for the one-day class; $75 for the four-day course; and $199 for the 10-day program. Grant funding is available to those who qualify.

Provided

Manny Ramos is a corps member in Report for America, a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of issues affecting Chicago’s South and West sides.