There’s a lot of good news for Latino business owners in the United States. Twenty-three percent of Latino business owners report their companies have recovered and are even doing better than they were prior to the pandemic (State of Latino Entrepreneurship: 2022 Research Report). 

According to a 2021 report from the U.S. Senate Joint Economic Committee, almost 25 percent of startups were Hispanic-owned, overall contributing more than $800 billion to the U.S. economy. That's exciting news if you own one of the nearly five million Hispanic-owned businesses in America today, or if you aspire to join their ranks. 

These 12 resources can help guide Hispanic entrepreneurs to success: 

1. Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA)

ALPFA aims to empower and develop Latinos to become leaders throughout the United States. The more than 116,000 professional and student members of ALPFA have access to programs that include skills training for leadership, fellowships/scholarships, and mentoring for Latina women by Latina women. ALPFA has hundreds of Fortune 1000 corporate partners, offering access to 50,000 paid summer internships.

2. Hispanic Association of Small Businesses (HASB)

HASB provides minority-owned businesses and minority individuals aspiring to start a business with educational materials, business workshops and remedial English workshops to improve their success. The association provides resources and tools that can help improve entrepreneurs’ productivity and assist them in competing against bigger businesses.

3. The Hispanic Retail Chamber of Commerce (HRCOC)

The Hispanic Retail Chamber of Commerce represents U.S. Hispanic retail businesses and their interests and priorities to the government and the media. It provides consulting, seminars, workshops, marketing support, networking and procurement opportunities, and legislative information for members. With Accredited Alliances in every state, the HRCOC serves members of every size and in many retail sectors. 

4. Latinas Think Big

With more than 20,000 members, Latinas Think Big is the largest online network of Latina professionals, entrepreneurs and students. The network connects Latina business owners so they can share opportunities and mentor one another. Other features include a job board, educational materials, news updates and curated content.

5. Latino Business Action Network (LBAN)

In addition to working with the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative, LBAN is part of the Small Business Administration’s Community Navigator Pilot Program for Technical Assistance and Development of Hispanic Small Businesses. The pilot program helps support and empower Hispanic- and minority-owned businesses so they can help underserved communities. LBAN also offers a 9-week hybrid Business Scaling program through the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where qualified business owners participate in lectures, workshops, networking and opportunities to help grow their businesses.

6. League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

LULAC was founded in 1929, making it the oldest Hispanic civil rights organization in the U.S. Part of its mission is to improve the economic condition of Hispanics who live in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. It also tackles educational attainment, housing, health and civil rights concerns. LULAC offers various types of community-based programming on such topics as leadership, technology and economic development. There are more than 1,000 LULAC councils across the country.

7. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

The MBDA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce and promotes the growth of minority-owned businesses through its national network of business centers, specialty centers and grantees. It offers customized business development and industry-focused services to help Hispanic business owners access and connect with capital, contracts and markets. The MBDA also advocates for and promotes minority-owned businesses with elected officials, policymakers and business leaders.

8. National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)

NMSDC certifies minority-owned businesses and then connects those companies to corporate members to encourage supplier diversity. You can apply for NMSDC certification through one of its 23 regional councils. NMSDC works with over 15,000 certified minority-owned businesses connecting them to a vast network of corporate members looking to purchase products, services, and solutions from minority-owned businesses.

9. PepsiCo Juntos Crecemos

Created to educate Hispanic food and beverage small business owners on how digitization is the key to sustained growth and long-term success, PepsiCo Juntos Crecemos is a no-cost, personalized digital consultation program for owners of restaurants, bodegas and carnicerías. Offering grants and access to funding, mentorship, marketing support and operational assistance, the program’s goal is to help Hispanic entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry.

The Hispanic Digital & Delivery Program provides resources to help level-up business owners with online ordering, delivery logistics, infrastructure, technology, marketing and SEO. In addition, the Impacto Hispanic Business Accelerator is investing $10 million to provide capital and small business coaching to 500 Hispanic-owned food and beverage businesses by 2025.

10. Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative (SLEI)

Primarily a research and education partnership between Stanford University and the Latino Business Action Network, the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative also operates the SLEI Education Scaling Program. Explicitly designed for Latino business owners who generate more than $1 million in gross revenue per year or who have raised at least $500,000 in external funding, this nine-week immersive program offers business owners education, networking opportunities, personal mentorship and an improved understanding of how to access and manage capital.

11. UnidosUS

UnidosUS is the largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States, with a national network of almost 300 community-based affiliate organizations nationwide. Using research, advocacy programs and its affiliate network, UnidosUS helps U.S. Latinos overcome the social, economic and political barriers they face.

UnidosUS’s annual conference brings together top Hispanic leaders across all industries, offering workshops, speeches and networking opportunities. Check out the highlights of the 2023 conference. Sign up now to find out about the 2024 conference in Las Vegas.

12. United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC)

The USHCC and its network of more than 250 local chambers and business associations focus on promoting the economic interests of Hispanic-owned small businesses to aid their growth and development. It offers 200-plus programs that provide resources to help Hispanic business communities improve customer engagement and expand business opportunities.

Remember to take advantage of free mentoring from SCORE. Experienced professionals share their expertise and experiences in one-on-one counseling sessions, with the goal of helping Hispanic entrepreneurs succeed.