7 Graduate Summertime Enterprise Academy Class
The Initiative Foundation is celebrating the graduation of seven entrepreneurs who are dedicated to building their homegrown business ideas in the Long Prairie area.
These entrepreneurs recently completed the Enterprise Academy course—an Initiative Foundation business-building program that features training matched with free, ongoing business coaching plus access to flexible loans. Delivery of the program was supported by the Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Entrepreneurship takes courage and persistence, and we saw that in this group of graduates,” said Zach Tabatt, vice president for economic opportunity at the Initiative Foundation. “They are building businesses that provide for their families and also strengthen the fabric of their community, and we’re honored to support them on their journey.”
Since its founding, about 300 people have graduated from the Enterprise Academy program. Many have gone on to launch successful businesses.
The following Long Prairie-area students completed the program:
Santa Matos: Santa has owned Victoria’s Beauty Salon for about eight years. She joined Enterprise Academy to enhance her marketing skills and grow her business. Currently operating from her home, she hopes to eventually move into a dedicated salon space. Santa learned her trade in the Dominican Republic, where she grew up. She has one daughter and enjoys exercising in her free time.
Yanny Perdomo: Yanny would like to launch a personalized tray business to create charcuterie, sweets, fruit and chocolates for any occasion—birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day or special events. Through the Enterprise Academy, she has gained knowledge and plans to focus on marketing. She works in production, is married and has three children.
Mayra Reyes: Mayra owns Angeles Reyes Cleaning Services and hopes to expand, creating job opportunities for others. She joined the Enterprise Academy to gain essential business, finance and digital marketing skills. “The Enterprise Academy is a lever to turn my goals into reality by professionalizing my business,” she said. In her free time, Mayra enjoys spending time with family and friends and watching television.
Alex Rivera: Alex owns a landscaping business and is planning to launch a hair supply business. He joined Enterprise Academy to strengthen his business management skills and ensure his operations are organized and compliant. Alex has a partner and four children, and he enjoys exploring investment opportunities in his free time.
Zulmary Rosado Torres: Zulmary has owned Neily’s Baking Sweets since early 2025. She joined Enterprise Academy to learn how to grow her business and potentially apply for a loan. She strives to infuse love into every cake and sweet she creates. Zulmary is married and has one child. She enjoys spending time with her family in her free time.
Yuliana Suarez: Yuliana owns Kylie Natural, a hair product business she launched in early 2025. She joined the program to deepen her knowledge in marketing, sales, finance, leadership and business management. Yuliana has big dreams, including impacting the lives of thousands of women, opening an online shop and creating jobs. She has two children and enjoys spending time with them in her free time.
Akira Torres: Akira owns a cleaning business and hopes to expand by opening a store that sells cleaning products. She joined Enterprise Academy to register her business and strengthen her marketing efforts. In her free time, Akira enjoys spending time with her husband and child, watching movies, playing volleyball and dancing.