Entrepreneurship is a key driver of prosperity and competitiveness in the US and Latinas are a booming entrepreneurial force. According to the Census Bureau data, there were 1.5 million Latina-owned businesses in the US with $78.8 billion in sales. Georgia experienced the most rapid growth of Latina-owned business in the US during 2017.

“Planifica tu negocio” is a free course that is offered  in Spanish to Latina immigrants that want to undertake their own business or who are already in business & want to move to the next level. The course last eight weeks and is based on a recognized curriculum in the market. You will learn about planning, marketing, finance, operations and legal issues. Upon finishing the course, you will have in your hands your Business Plan, the document that will help you to navigate the system and to start/grow your own business.

“Planifica tu Negocio” is offered four times a year in the following cycle dates:

2021 schedule TBA

The schedule for the course is:

Once a week

Wednesday mornings 10am-12:30pm or

Wednesday evenings 6:00pm-8:30pm or

Saturday mornings 10am -12:30pm

Steps to register for Planifica tu Negocio:

Before taking the eight-week-course, you must attend two mandatory classes. Only after you finish taking these classes you will be eligible to start the “Planifica tu Negocio” course. Our staff will be informing you when the next “Planifica tu negocio” course will take place.

You can register clicking the links below for each class.

Educated women have demonstrated a better ability to keep control of her expenditures and to maintain their own economic independence, to improve household management and be able to save money and contribute more to the family income pool.

This area focuses on classes related to credit and budget, motivational and personal growth and public speaking (Toastmasters). It also includes English and computer courses.

Credit and Budget:

Be informed about the credit system, benefits and risks of incurring in debt and how to build a good credit in the US. Learn how to create your personal budget and how to manage your household expenses. This class is mandatory before you can take the Business Planning course. This class is offered on a monthly base in different schedules. Click here to register and to attend this talk in Spanish.

Toastmasters

This international famous club will help you to improve your communication skills, public speaking and leadership. Every Thursday at the LAA from 6:30-8:00 pm – Registration is not required.

English Classes

Learning English is critical for your personal and professional growth. Learn the language allow you to understand the American culture, expand your networking, find a job and advance your education.

We offer various levels of English classes year-round at a reasonable cost. The classes are being taught by instructors who have years of experience teaching English as a second language.

Registration dates for English classes: Mondays and Thursdays from 9:30am to 4:00pm.

For more information on English classes click here.

Computer Classes:

Learning computer skills offer you many benefits including improving your chances of finding a job, growing in your career and becoming more efficient and productive in the workplace. We offer computer classes in Spanish, and courses include Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet and email training at a reasonable cost.

For more information on computer classes click here.

Cerfitications:

Latina immigrants face a great challenge of finding a source of income when they arrive in US. Getting a certification on jobs or occupations on demand offers you a new opportunity to generate a temporary income or perhaps paving the way to a new career path.

Click here to access guidelines to get certified as:

• Substitute Teacher
• Cosmetology
• Real Estate Broker & Sales person
• Nail Technician
• Teacher
• Accountant

We understand the difficulties of navigating the job market in a new country. In this this area we will assist you free of charge in the process of getting your foot in the door. The employment department offers an array of services that includes a weekly Employment Orientation in Spanish, one-on-one assistance through Goodwill, job fairs and our Online Job Bank.

For a detailed information on employment assistance click here.

Credit and Budget:

Become a successful entrepreneur requires financial effort and discipline. For you to succeed in your entrepreneurial path you must need to learn how to build a good credit and to manage efficiently your household income and expenditures.

Click here for registration and information on dates and times.

Are you ready to start your business?

One out of ten startups fail because they are not well informed about what to expect during the process of starting a business. During these two hours you will learn about the main requirements and considerations of becoming an entrepreneur.

Click here for registration and information on dates and times.

For most startups, the main critical barrier to scale up is the inability to find affordable sources for funding their businesses. Here at the LAA -¡Avanzando Juntas! we offer low-interest microloans ranging from $500 to $5000 for your business.

The application will be considered on the basis of the business’s unique financial needs.

• Minimum credit score of 550
• Interest rate as low as 5% annually
• Terms are typically between 1 to 3 years
• Loan proceeds can be used for business or franchise acquisition, new or used equipment, inventory, licenses and expenses as related to the business.
• Documentation is required.

Microloan Orientation: We offer this orientation twice a month in the mornings to inform you what the requirements are and the steps you will need to have access to the microloan.   If you can’t be able to attend the orientation, feel free to contact Mónica Cucalón at microloans@thelaa.org to schedule an appointment.

Click here to see the orientation schedule and to register: http://bit.ly/2jFpMaU

Microloans Staff:

Microloans:

Mabel del Valle | 404.477.2571 | mdelvalle@thelaa.org