What we do

Training and Technical Assistance for
Entrepreneurs and
Small Business Owners.

El Centro specializes in providing culturally competent financial wellness programming, business coaching and entrepreneurial training to Latinx individuals and entrepreneurs in south Louisiana.  Programs include:

Empoderate NOLA: Ongoing biweekly workshops and individual coaching sessions where we show how to start and register a business, obtain a business license and permits, strategic planning and marketing, accounting, how to access commercial capital, personal credit and financial counseling for home buying, saving, and debt management.

Camino Financiero (Financial Road Map): 8 week Cohort Style Program that educates clients in understanding credit, credit scores, and debt management and repayment strategies. Also provides basics to personal budgeting and building savings.

Las Musas is a monthly workshop to empower and support women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. The objective is to build a network of entrepreneurial women who support one another. This program provides information and access to resources from partner organizations, encourages women to pursue their dreams, and to educate them in current trends affecting businesses.

Atrevete: a 4 week accelerator program for aspiring entrepreneurs, accelerator includes 4 - 2 hour workshops addressing the lean canvas model, 4 p's of marketing, start up budget and the legal and licensing steps to form a business.

Impulsate: 6 week accelerator program for established entrepreneurs seeking to grow or scale their construction or janitorial business. Attendees learn how to formalize their business legally, attract customers and create a digital presence, provide a bid or estimate, gain an overview of legal and inusrance requirements, cash flow management principles, hring basics and the benefits of obtaining government validated certifications.

Como Iniciar una Empresa is a monthly workshop hosted in partnership with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center about How to Start a Business. In this workshop Attendees can determine the feasibility of their business idea, learn about planning, steps to registering and licensing the business and common entrepreneurial pitfalls.

VITA Latinx: El Centro is the only Latinx focused Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Service (VITA) Site within 90 miles of the Greater New Orleans Area, 99% of site customers are Spanish speakers.