Six local Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs are just getting their young businesses off the ground and already they have a tremendous amount of support behind them.
Friday afternoon, the Emporia Arts Center played host to the second annual Mi Negocio Academy (My Business Academy) graduation ceremony. The academy, developed in 2023 by the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, provides skills, information and resources to Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs through several weeks of seminars.
During Friday’s graduation, Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Director Rebeca Herrera spoke with KVOE News and stated she was not only proud of this year’s graduating class but also very impressed with their creativity and passion.
The graduation included words from representatives of several agencies who expressed their support and excitement for the graduates. This includes City Manager Trey Cocking who says support for Spanish speaking residents and small business owners in general is and will continue to be a major focus for city leadership.
Also speaking Friday was Southeast Kansas WORKS Director Katie Givens, who says their organization is always proud to support local entrepreneurs as their “small ideas” can often grow into the largest opportunities for others.
Also in attendance were two of Emporia’s local banking establishments, ESB Financial and Lyon County State Bank. ESB Personal Banker and Consumer Lender Marilyn Renteria says there are many ways ESB can and will be there for these entrepreneurs as they continue to grow and establish their businesses locally.
LCSB President Brad Yount says they are proud to help support this group of business owners, adding it has been inspiring to watch their knowledge, passion and confidence grow over the last several weeks.
Upon seeing and hearing the large amount of support present Friday, Herrera told KVOE News it is evident that “Emporia is not segregated.”
2025 Mi Negocio Academy Graduates
Gabriela Carrillo – Carrillo Cleaning & Remodeling
Susan Sanchez – Susan Loves
Sergio Gomez – Ulis@’s
Juan Pablo Ordonez Malo – Home Axis
Sindia Morazan – Hair & Makeup Study
Zulay Fuenmayor – Bocado y Sabor Zuliano
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE NewsÂ
