Wave Staff Report
PICO RIVERA — The city has recognized 21 local entrepreneurs who have completed a business training program conducted in conjunction with Asociación de Emprendedor@s.
The participants in this free in-person business training, taught completely in Spanish, received technical assistance to start or continue growing their own businesses.
Among the participants in the program were Jose Miguel and Lupita Leon, natives of Mexico, who started their business in 2010 selling street tacos.
Four years later, when his boss retired, Miguel jumped at an offer to keep the food truck where he had been working as a cook and kitchen helper. But they wanted more and in 2015 they rented a second food truck.
They struggled for a year and just when they were ready to give up, they found the perfect location in Los Angeles. “
Jose has always pulled me by the hand,” Leon said “He has a strong and clear vision.”
They sold more in a day than what they had been doing in a year, and from then on, sales kept growing. However, Miguel wanted something else.
“I wanted a restaurant,” he said.
In 2021, they bought a restaurant in Pico Rivera without doing due diligence first. The beginning was rough until Miguel pointed out the need to educate themselves and change their mindset. They enrolled in the Emprendedor@s Program to continue their business education and enjoyed sharing their experience with other Emprendedor@s, as well as reinforcing what they had already learned the hard way.
After graduating, they have the goal of expanding to four locations in five years.
“We recommend constant training to the new Emprendedor@s. There are going to be obstacles, but if they have a set goal, they can reach it. Do not lose focus,” said the owners of Las Sirenas – Mexican Grill & Seafood.
The graduation ceremony for the program was held July 3 at Pico Park.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Monica Robles, founder and president of Asociación de Emprendedor@s, introduced elected officials and representatives from the city of Pico Rivera, including Mayor Andrew C. Lara, Alvie Betancourt, director of community and economic development, and Julian Balderas, executive director of the Pico Rivera Chamber of Commerce.
Graduates received certificates from the city as well as a three-month free membership from Asociación de Emprendedor@s.
The graduates showcased their businesses, products and services at the Business Expo, which was conducted during the second half of the event. There were family and community services, clothing and accessories, real estate, balloon decorations, beauty and nutrition, bakery, restaurant and food services, construction and demolition services, health products, insurance and public notary, among others.
Since 2016 the Emprendedor@s Program has brought hope and support to more than 1,330 Latino businesses.
For more information, visit, https://www.asociaciondeemprendedores.org.
Photo courtesy of Konceptos Photography & Film
