Empowering Latino Entrepreneurs: Impúlsate 2026

This Spring, El Centro proudly celebrated the graduation of another successful IMPÚLSATE cohort of 15 individuals, recognizing a new group of Latino entrepreneurs for their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to growing their businesses. 

IMPÚLSATE is El Centro’s free, seven-week business accelerator program conducted entirely in Spanish. Through a combination of interactive workshops and personalized one-on-one coaching, participants gain a practical understanding of key business and financial management topics including brand development and digital marketing, hiring, steps to obtaining specialty construction licenses, taxes and government certifications, equipping them with the tools needed to build stronger, more sustainable businesses. 

Recent graduate, Dania Villafranca who owns a residential and commercial cleaning business, says she learned a great deal about the macro and micro aspects of managing a business.
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“I loved it because I discovered essential business tools and concepts I didn’t know before,” Villafranca says. “Oxilia and Lindsey, not only did they teach me how to better structure my business, but I also learned surprising strategic details—like how even color choices matter and how time management is an exceptionally valuable skill.”

                                                                         Dania Villafranca

This program also creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with mentors, local business leaders–including Shawn Charles from the Office of Supplier Diversity at the City of New Orleans, Angelo Castellanos of Resilience Force, Giovani Arenas of Garcia Insurance and Eilleen Ordonez of LCI Workers’ Comp–and one another, fostering a network of support that extends well beyond graduation.

By providing culturally relevant business education in Spanish, IMPÚLSATE continues to remove barriers to entrepreneurship and strengthen Latino-owned businesses throughout the Greater New Orleans community.

Angelo Castellanos of Resilience Force addresses the Impúlsate class ​

​Congratulations to the Impúlsate Class of 2026! We are excited to see all they accomplish and are proud to continue supporting Latino entrepreneurs as they build thriving businesses that strengthen our community.

​El Centro ED Lindsey Navarro congratulates the new Impúlsate graduates