Across Northeast Ohio, Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs are opening doors not just for themselves, but for others who dream of building something of their own.

These are restaurant owners, contractors, barbers, artists, consultants and innovators who bring purpose and perseverance to everything they do – it’s part of the culture of hard work and creativity. Yet, many still face challenges like language barriers and limited connections to mainstream networks and resources.

Which is where I come in.

As a Senior Manager of Small Business Capital and Services at JumpStart, one of my main roles is helping translate in plain language how to access the tools and organizations within Northeast Ohio’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

I also focus on helping the Spanish-speaking business owners in my community build trust in the financial system and see banks as tools, not obstacles.

Financial literacy is such a key part of success, but it’s something many entrepreneurs struggle with. A lot of the time, their business finances are tied directly to their personal finances, so if one isn’t managed well, the other can suffer.

A lot of Hispanic entrepreneurs do not have confidence in their ability to navigate the American banking system effectively.

Many of my clients have never created a real budget before, or they set goals that don’t quite line up with their financial reality. For instance, pursuing both homeownership and business growth simultaneously is often unrealistic without substantial, steady cash flow. My job is to help them prioritize and develop a plan that actually gets them where they want to go.

Once people understand how to use money as a tool, it opens up so many more possibilities for growth and stability.

But business coaching often involves much more than just advising on operational efficiency and financial projections. While important, these elements are only one piece of the puzzle for entrepreneurs.

Small business owners have a deep, personal connection to the companies they run. It’s hard to find an entrepreneur who hasn’t poured their heart and soul into their business, not to mention sacrificing time, money and resources.

This proximity can be a double-edged sword – on one hand, it’s hard for businesses to succeed and scale without personal passion as a driving force. On the flip side, entrepreneurs are sometimes too entrenched in the day-to-day and too protective of what they’ve created to see the big picture and make strategic decisions.

I learned early on that finding the root cause for clients’ behavior and thought processes, was the best way to help them. Instead of focusing on what they are doing, we take time to figure out why – the reason behind it. For instance, if a client is overspending, and I might assume it is because of a lack of education or grasp of budgeting, but if I dig deeper, I may find it’s a personality trait and they are an emotional spender who is dealing with something larger than their business. If I can’t find the reason, I can’t be a successful advisor.

Supporting entrepreneurs is more than a professional commitment for me, it’s personal. I grew up in a culture that values hard work, resilience, and community, and those values guide how I show up for the businesses I serve because I know firsthand how intimidating it can be to be a Spanish-speaking entrepreneur, but I also know how rewarding it is to own a business. It isn’t always easy work, but my job is important because it helps sustain our culture and community.