Asociacion de Emprendedor@s

An Association made by Hispanics for Hispanics where Entrepreneurs and Micro-entrepreneurs from our Hispanic community in the United States continue their education in Empowerment, Leadership and Business in a social environment where there is Harmony, Balance, Responsibility, Integrity and Respect, achieving the continuity of their productive projects and the success of their Micro-enterprises.

Asociación de Emprendedor@s (AdE) was founded in 2016 by Monica Robles, who recognized a significant gap in access to small business training and technical assistance for Latino entrepreneurs. Many aspiring business owners had the motivation and ideas to start businesses but lacked access to culturally relevant entrepreneurship education delivered in Spanish. Monica also recognized that leadership development was essential to helping entrepreneurs build the confidence and skills needed to successfully lead and grow their businesses.

In response, AdE was established to provide Spanish-language entrepreneurship training and technical assistance designed to help aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs develop the knowledge, financial skills, and leadership capacity needed to launch and sustain small businesses.

Through the Emprendedor@s Program, participants receive practical instruction in business planning, financial management, marketing, and business operations, along with guidance that strengthens their leadership and decision-making abilities as business owners.

Since 2016, more than 2,000 entrepreneurs have graduated from the Emprendedor@s Program. These entrepreneurs are starting and growing small businesses that generate income for their families, create jobs, and contribute to the economic vitality of communities throughout the Inland Empire.

By expanding access to entrepreneurship education and financial capability, AdE helps strengthen the region’s small business ecosystem and creates pathways for greater economic mobility and opportunity.

Since 2016, more than 2,000 entrepreneurs have graduated from Asociación de Emprendedor@s’ Emprendedor@s Program. Over 45% of graduates have launched small businesses, resulting in approximately 900 new enterprises in the communities we serve.

Since 2016, more than 2,000 entrepreneurs have graduated from Asociación de Emprendedor@s’ Emprendedor@s Program. Over 45% of graduates have launched small businesses, resulting in approximately 900 new enterprises across the communities we serve.

These businesses are generating income for families, creating jobs, and strengthening local economies. Based on conservative estimates of microbusiness revenue, entrepreneurs supported through AdE are generating more than $50 million in annual economic activity.

In addition, these businesses support an estimated 900 to 1,200 jobs, including self-employment and additional employees hired as businesses grow.

By equipping entrepreneurs with business development skills, financial education, and leadership training in Spanish, AdE helps expand pathways to economic mobility while strengthening the small business ecosystem throughout the Inland Empire.

Many aspiring Latino entrepreneurs face significant barriers when starting and growing small businesses, including limited access to entrepreneurship training, technical assistance, and financial education in Spanish. While small businesses are a key driver of economic opportunity and job creation, many entrepreneurs lack access to the practical knowledge and guidance needed to navigate business planning, financial management, regulatory requirements, and access to capital.

In the Inland Empire, Latino entrepreneurs represent a growing and vital part of the regional economy. However, language barriers, limited access to culturally relevant training programs, and gaps in financial literacy can make it difficult for many entrepreneurs to formalize their businesses, build sustainable operations, and successfully access loans or other forms of capital.

Without accessible training and support, many promising business ideas never move beyond the informal stage, limiting opportunities for income generation, job creation, and long-term economic stability.

Programs that provide Spanish-language entrepreneurship education, technical assistance, and financial management training help address these barriers by equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge, confidence, and tools needed to launch and grow viable businesses. Expanding access to these resources strengthens the small business ecosystem, supports local economic development, and creates pathways for greater economic mobility for entrepreneurs and their families.

Asociación de Emprendedor@s (AdE) serves entrepreneurs across Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial counties. These regions are home to large and growing Latino populations, including many low-income and underemployed Spanish-speaking individuals seeking pathways to economic stability through entrepreneurship.

Many aspiring entrepreneurs in these communities face barriers to accessing traditional business training and technical assistance due to language limitations and a lack of culturally relevant programming. AdE addresses this gap by providing Spanish-language entrepreneurship education, business consulting, and financial management training designed to help entrepreneurs develop the skills and confidence needed to start and grow sustainable small businesses.

By serving entrepreneurs across these five counties, AdE helps expand access to economic opportunity, support local business creation, and strengthen the small business ecosystem in communities throughout Southern California.

When I founded Asociación de Emprendedor@s in 2016, it was because I saw the incredible potential of Latino entrepreneurs in our communities and the barriers many faced when trying to access business education and support. Too often, aspiring business owners with strong ideas and determination were unable to find training and technical assistance in Spanish that reflected their realities and experiences.

Our mission is to ensure that entrepreneurs have access to the knowledge, tools, and confidence they need to build successful businesses and create opportunities for themselves and their families. Through the Emprendedor@s Program and our financial education initiatives, we provide practical training, mentorship, and guidance that help entrepreneurs transform their ideas into viable businesses.

I am continually inspired by the determination and creativity of the entrepreneurs we serve. Their businesses contribute to stronger local economies, create jobs, and build greater economic opportunity in our communities. At Asociación de Emprendedor@s, we are proud to support these entrepreneurs and remain committed to expanding access to entrepreneurship education and financial capability for Spanish-speaking business owners across Southern California.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am proud to support the mission of Asociación de Emprendedor@s and the important work being done to expand economic opportunity for Latino entrepreneurs across Southern California. Since its founding, the organization has remained committed to providing accessible, high-quality entrepreneurship training and technical assistance that empowers individuals to transform their business ideas into sustainable enterprises.

The Board is inspired by the determination and resilience of the entrepreneurs served through the Emprendedor@s Program. By equipping entrepreneurs with practical business skills, financial education, and ongoing guidance, Asociación de Emprendedor@s is helping create new businesses, generate jobs, and strengthen local economies.

We are grateful to our partners, supporters, and community members whose commitment makes this work possible. Together, we are helping build a stronger and more inclusive small business ecosystem where aspiring entrepreneurs have the opportunity to succeed and contribute to the long-term prosperity of our communities.