20 Local Hispanic Entrepreneurs Gear Up to Start Businesses with Help from the Community

NewsPartnershipsStarting a Business | JUNE 2, 2017

ON JUNE 6TH, THE ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY WILL WELCOME THE FIFTH COHORT OF THE EMPRENDEDORES PROGRAM IN SANTA ANA.

The Emprendedores (entrepreneurs) Program is an eight week training program designed to educate, promote and empower the Hispanic community in Orange County. The program has brought hope to more than 80 local Hispanic women and men over the past year, many of whom may have previously experienced domestic violence, in starting their own business venture.

The program is a collaboration between the Consulate of Mexico, the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (OCHCC) and California State University, Fullerton’s Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (OCIE SBDC) Network.

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Participants from previous cohort gathered at the Mexican Consulate in Santa Ana during class.

“Our goal is to actively integrate these startups into the community by helping them one step at time, so they can realize their dreams, generate income, create jobs and stimulate the local economy,” – OCHCC President and OC Hispanic SBDC Director, Reuben Franco.

In addition to the assistance provided from the OCHCC and the OC Hispanic SBDC, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Santa Ana District Office has announced their support. Through collaboration efforts, participants will have access to a variety of resources including consultants, mentors, workshops and a network of resource partners. The welcome ceremony will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at The Mexican Consulate is located at 2100 E. 4th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705.

Looking to start or grow your business?

We at the Orange County Inland Empire SBDC, are here to help you with every aspect of your business to help it grow and become successful.
Give us a call at 1-800-616-7232 or schedule a quick, 15-minute intake appointment at ociesbdc.org/consultation to see how we can help you start, grow, and succeed.

20 Local Hispanic Entrepreneurs Gear Up to Start Businesses with Help from the Community

Mike Daniel is the network director of the Orange County Inland Empire SBDC Network, which assists aspiring entrepreneurs and current business owners throughout Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Mike was formerly the director of the SBDC office at Long Beach City College. As business owner and entrepreneur himself, he started his career as the owner of a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory location in Manhattan Beach and went on to open a second location in Long Beach in 2001. In 2007, Mike sold the Manhattan Beach store for an above-market offer then invested in several additional locations as a minority shareholder. Mike further expanded his candy empire with venture located in Shoreline Village in Long Beach called Sugar Daddies Sweet Shoppe, based on fill-it yourself candy options.

Mike has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.