Seven Graduate From Long Prairie 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. Participants build skills and receive support in starting and running a business. Delivery of the program was supported by the Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce.
“These seven entrepreneurs worked hard through the classes to learn how to build a business plan, keep track of financials, market their business, and more,” said Zach Tabatt, vice president for economic opportunity at the Initiative Foundation. “We’re excited to continue with our support to help them achieve success on their business-building journey.”
Since the founding of the program, about 200 people have graduated and many have gone on to launch successful businesses.
The following Long Prairie-area students completed the program:
Rosa Diaz: Rosa has owned Gardy’s Craft since 2022. She makes specialized items for birthday parties and other uses and wants to sell her products online. Rosa participated in Enterprise Academy to boost her business knowledge. She has an administrative background and enjoys spending time with her children and grandchild.
Rosalina Henriquez: Rosalina wants to rent a space to start a Long Prairie-area cafe. She participated in Enterprise Academy to learn about running a successful business. A native of the Dominican Republic, Rosalina also lived in Puerto Rico before moving to Minnesota about seven years ago. Rosalina has a partner and a daughter and enjoys making new recipes in her free time.
Faustino Lagares: Faustino would like to start a construction company to serve the Spanish-speaking population. He enrolled in Enterprise Academy to lay the groundwork for Lagares Construction. Faustino works in construction and meat-packing. A native of the Dominican Republic, he also lived in Puerto Rico before moving to Minnesota. Faustino has a partner and four children and enjoys serving the community and cooking in his free time.
Michael LLopiz: Michael would like to start a clothing store. He enrolled in Enterprise Academy to learn more about running a business, business credit, and how to properly register his business. He currently works as a cashier and has previously worked as a forklift operator. He enjoys shopping in his free time.
Ruth Pastrana: Ruth would like to start a business creating vinyl signs and labeling vehicles for businesses. She enrolled in Enterprise Academy to learn more about starting a business. Ruth works as a business secretary and has three children. In her free time, she enjoys swimming with her children.
Vicente Pichardo: Vicente owns Universal Grocery in Long Prairie, which also includes several rental apartments. He previously lived in the Dominican Republic and Spain. Vicente would like to expand Universal Grocery to include a meat market and coffee shop. He and his business-partner wife have six children and five grandchildren. In his free time, Vicente enjoys playing baseball and soccer.
Yashira Velez: Yashira enrolled in Enterprise Academy to learn more about starting a business that offers body sculpting, massage and wood therapy. She works in customer service and as a lab assistant. Yashira has a partner and three children and enjoys traveling in her limited free time.