Program to help Latino entrepreneurs debuts Sept. 24

PROVIDENCE – Tomas A. Avila knows how to help businesses get off the ground. He was a member of the R.I. Small Business Development Center for years, specializing in assisting Latinos move their ideas into business plans through programs that included Primer Paso, which received the Association of Small Business Development Centers’ 2007 ASBDC Rhode Island State Star.
Now he is starting up a similar program through the Milenio Latino Institute. Avila is expected to introduce Exito Empresarial to Rhode Island on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Providence College/Smith Hill Annex at 231 Douglas Ave. in Providence.
Through a series of workshops and other activities, Exito Empresarial plans to teach budding Latino business people the practical skills they need to succeed. At the same time, the program is designed to help them understand the larger context of their business, “helping entrepreneurs take a step back, look at the big picture and work on their business, not just in their business,” according to the release announcing the program’s introduction.
“Not many entrepreneurs have started and run companies previously, so they are hungry for the kind of training and mentoring that Éxito Empresarial offers,” said Avila, executive director of Milenio Latino Institute, in a prepared statement. “As Rhode Island prepares to roll out its new long-term economic development plan that includes Latino-owned business for the first time, we knew this program would provide the educational component we needed to help Latino business owners improve their chances for success.”
The institute noted that the program will include facilitated discussions, coaching, small peer group sessions, guest speakers and networking opportunities. Participants will be expected to work on their businesses while taking part in the program.
For more information, email Avlia at tavila@mileniolatinoinstitute.org or call (401) 258-8816.

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