¡Avanzando Juntas! Program in Northwest Georgia
The LAA’s signature program for Latina entrepreneurs is launching in Northwest Georgia in spring 2021. The LAA is bringing together community organizations in Dalton and its surroundings in order to make business and education resources available to Latinas who want to start their own business.
The program supports entrepreneurs at the various stages of the business life cycle and creates a pathway to success for Latinas.
Partners
The LAA has partnered with several organizations in Northwest Georgia to ensure that Latinas can tap into existing resources and succeed as business owners. We are grateful for the support of our partners.
The Program
The core of the ¡Avanzando Juntas! program in northwest Georgia is the LAA’s eight-week course for aspiring Latina entrepreneurs. The course is offered in Spanish. At the end of the 40-hour course, participants present a detailed business plan that includes three-year projections for a business they’d like to open.
In addition to this course, ¡Avanzando Juntas! offers one-on-one expert coaching to develop financial statements; workshops on digital marketing; access of up to $5,000 in microloans for eligible participants; and the annual ¡Avanzando Juntas! Latina Conference that brings together up to 600 Latina entrepreneurs for a day of motivational talks, workshops and sharing of success stories.
LAA program participants will have access to a new incubator and to the Dalton Innovation Accelerator in downtown Dalton. Participants will also work with faculty and student mentors from Dalton State College and have access to a variety of technical courses and certifications offered by the GNTC.
The goal is to create a seamless ecosystem so that these Latina entrepreneurs have the support they need to succeed as their businesses grow. ACE in Northwest Georgia will offer loans of $10,000 and above to qualified applicants.
Dalton resident Josibell Sivira completed the LAA’s entrepreneurship program and now runs a successful insurance business.
Register for Classes this Spring
The LAA’s 40-hour entrepreneurship program will be offered in Dalton starting in April 2020. Before participants can enroll in the program, they must take two mandatory classes: “Presupuesto y crédito” and “¿Estás lista para iniciar tu negocio?” Dates and registration links below.
Mandatory classes
- Presupuesto y crédito
March 16 10am-12pm and 6-8pm
April 13 10am-12pm and 6-8pm
- ¿Estás lista para iniciar tu negocio?
March 18 10am-12pm and 6-8pm
April 15 10am-12pm and 6-8pm
Click HERE for registration
- “Planifica tu negocio” eight-week program
April 21 10am to 12pm and 6pm to 8pm
April 24 10am to 6pm
Upon completing “Planifica tu negocio,” the entrepreneurs will have access to mentoring, classes and the incubator or the accelerator, depending on their needs.
Latina Empowerment
Conference in Spring 2021
The LAA’s Latina empowerment program hosts an annual conference for Latina entrepreneurs. This year the virtual conference, titled the 6th Latina Empowerment Conference: Resilience and Prosperity, will be held on Wednesday, March 31. Registration is free for all participants.
CLICK THE IMAGE TO REGISTER.
Why Northwest Georgia
Northwest Georgia is the perfect platform for growth for the LAA’s entrepreneurship program. Known as the carpet capital of the world, Dalton’s economy is dominated by large multinational companies. Yet small business development that nurtures the local economy is lagging. The LAA’s entrepreneurship program can help fill this void and further ignite the region’s deeply rooted entrepreneurial spirit. Over the past year, the pandemic has adversely affected many community businesses. However, we have seen how some entrepreneurs have swiftly adapted their business model in response to the crisis.
LAA Launched ¡Avanzando Juntas! in 2015
The LAA created its Latina entrepreneurship program in 2015, funded by a grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation. Nearly 1,500 Latinas in Georgia have taken the LAA’s eight-week entrepreneurship course, and about 3,500 more have benefited from other classes and benefits of the program. The Coca-Cola Foundation is supporting the program’s reach to Northwest Georgia.
Program Staff
Karym Rodriguez
Case Program Coordinator of the Latina Entrepreneurship Program (Dalton)
Contact
For more information about the program in Northwest Georgia, contact Karym Rodriguez at KRodriguez@thelaa.org.
