Arrancando Mi Negocio graduates its third round of microentrepreneurs

On Wednesday, November 30, Hacienda Community Development Corporation graduated nine microentreprenuers from Hacienda’s 30-hour business development training, Arrancando Mi Negocio. These participants, many of whom are involved in the ongoing creation of the Portland Mercado, culminated the 10-week course with a presentation of their business plan. The participants also received presentations from former participants and current business owners, Vita Graciano, Maria Ordonez and Alma Franco.

Graduates of Arrancando Mi Negocio will receive continued support through quality resources as they implement their business plans. Business mentors from the community advise and assist graduates, Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) fund business development, OMEN’s MarketLink provides access to market studies, the Lewis and Clark Small Legal Clinic assists in registering their businesses and Innovative Changes assists in financial advising.

Congratulations and buena suerte to the participants and their blossoming businesses: Isabel Camacho (daycare center), Pedro Carraza (graphic designer), Isabel Cruz (house cleaning), Cynthia Lopez (green cleaning), Silvio Gutierrez (butcher shop), Cynthia Herrera (beauty salon), Monica Moreno (candy and piñata store), Yoni Peraza (daycare center) and Esperanza Sanchez (house cleaning).