Latino Business Alliance: Bridging Gaps and Building Businesses in Salem

Founded during the challenging economic times of the Great Recession, the Latino Business Alliance (LBA) emerged as a response to the needs of small Latino business owners in Salem, Oregon. Co-founders Jose Gonzalez and Balthazar Molina saw firsthand the struggles that local business owners were facing and set out to create a network to support them.

“Many small business owners I knew were going through tough times,” said Gonzalez. “Beyond that, I kept hearing cases of small business owners being exploited by other professionals.” What started as an informal meeting with trustworthy community members quickly evolved into an impactful nonprofit organization. Today, the LBA provides critical resources for Latino and immigrant small business owners, offering tailored support to help them succeed.

The LBA fills a unique gap by providing resources specific to Latino entrepreneurs in Salem. “Before we started, there was no place for Latino or immigrant small business owners to access the resources they truly needed to start and grow their businesses,” explained Angelina Martinez, LBA’s director of operations. 

While some initially assumed that LBA’s primary mission was to boost sales for Latino-owned businesses, the organization’s goals are much broader. “We compete for grants with other reputable organizations, and for years people assumed we were just focused on helping businesses increase sales,” Gonzalez shared. “But our mission is broader. We aim to support individuals for whom self-employment is their only viable option, ensuring they are surrounded by the right people.”

This broader focus is evident in the success stories LBA has fostered. One standout story is that of Andres, a Salem resident who had worked in construction his whole life until an accident left him wheelchair-bound. Faced with this new reality, Andres was encouraged by a friend to leverage his passion for electronics, leading him to start “If It Ain’t Broke, Fix It LLC,” Salem’s only bilingual mobile phone repair service.

Andres’ journey into entrepreneurship was not easy. Struggling with inventory costs, he found himself unable to secure traditional loans due to lack of collateral and income. That’s when LBA stepped in, providing him with a $15,000 loan to cover essential parts for his business. When Andres faced further health setbacks, LBA demonstrated its commitment by deferring his loan payments, allowing him to continue his work without added financial strain. “With our support, he could secure the inventory and grow his business,” Gonzalez recounted. “Helping Andres stay competitive in Salem despite his personal setbacks reinforced our team’s commitment to assisting underserved entrepreneurs.”

For LBA, helping individuals like Andres isn’t just about business—it’s about reinforcing the cultural fabric of Salem by connecting Latino entrepreneurs with the community. “The LBA bridges the gap between Latino small business owners and the broader Salem community,” said Martinez. “Salem has shown great love and support for small businesses, and their backing of the LBA demonstrates that commitment.”

LBA’s impact goes beyond financial assistance; it provides a sense of community and support, particularly for those who may feel isolated in their entrepreneurial pursuits. As Martinez put it, “We offer them a support network that becomes their cheering squad, helping them through the often lonely journey of building a business.”

With dedicated support and a clear mission, the Latino Business Alliance is helping Salem’s Latino entrepreneurs not just survive, but thrive, creating a stronger, more inclusive community.