If you’ve scrolled through Instagram accounts you’ve likely come across countless Latine-owned shops and it’s no coincidence. Latino small business owners are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S. Over the past decade, the number of Latinx business owners grew 34%, compared to 1% for all business owners in the U.S., according to a study from Stanford University. The study also found that those businesses made about $500 billion in annual sales, proving that there’s a market for what we have to offer.
Latinas, in particular, are rising as small business owners. 11.5% of those born outside the U.S. are reportedly self-employed. These feats in business are worth celebrating as people of color are often discriminated against when it comes to receiving loans for their business. A 2017 Small Business Credit Study found that Latine applicants were denied loans at a higher rate than their white counterparts for insufficient credit history or low credit scores. So, to see this rise and success is truly a tale of triumph.
In honor of Small Business Week, we’re showcasing 10 Latinx-owned small businesses to support in industries ranging from food to art:
Floreria Esperanza
Undocumented student Rosa Torres founded Floreria Esperanza with her mother who took floral arrangement classes before they launched. In addition to traditional bouquets, the California-based online shop offers floral bears, half-chocolate/half-floral gift boxes and letter-shaped bouquets.
Twisted for Sugar
Lucia Rios launched Twisted for Sugar, her gourmet cotton candy stand, in 2017 and it has since become a local party and conference staple. The cotton candy flavors feature a Latin twist from watermelon cotton candy with Tajín to Churro, Dulce de Leche, Mango with chili powder and Horchata. In addition to her catering business in California, she offers wholesale and individual containers of her famous flavors.
La Charcuterie Chica
Millennials love charcuterie boards and Yvonne – La Charcuterie Chica – capitalized on that love by bringing cheese, cold cuts, and Latin flavors together for delicious and beautiful themed creations. She launched the business—which functions out of Instagram—months ago and has since garnered a devoted following which may have something to do with her popular Fuego board.
El Cielito Cafe
El Cielito Cafe’s Instagram bio says it all: “El Cielito is dedicated to blending artisan coffee with the culture of Latin America.” The farm-to-cup shop is located near Downtown Los Angeles but they offer their goods online as well. They work with coffee farms in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua to bring those earthy flavors to the U.S.
Jorge Garza of Qetza Art
Jorge Garza aka Qetza has gone viral for his Aztec-style art featuring Latinx icons including Selena and Frida and recently released art inspired by frontline workers. In addition to prints, his art is also available on accessories and apparel including tees, hoodies, and patches.
Brown Badass Bonita
Kim Guerra’s empowering brand includes tees and prints emblazoned with her poetry meant to uplift the Latinx community. The author’s works focus on generational healing and her tees and prints are an extension of that featuring lines including “I am healing for mi mami for mi abuela and for our daughters.”
Millennial Lotería
LA-based creative director Mike Alfaro was born and raised in Guatemala and is the creator behind the super popular Millennial Lotería game. The updated game – featured in an episode of Vida – includes cards with new characters reflecting current times including “La Feminist,” “La Selfie” and “La Border Wall.”
Chill House
First-generation Colombian-American Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton founded Chillhouse, a cafe and day spa located in the Lower East Side in NYC. They offer a wide range of services for the face, nails, and body as well as a sauna + shower option all in addition to their cafe with a menu that includes their Chillhouse and adaptogenic powders. Their online shop includes a variety of products used for their services.
Firme Arte
Firme Arte is an online bodega created by Natali Gonzalez whose bio states they are an “indigenous, queer, gender non-conforming two-spirited Hopi-Xican@ artist & Bruj@.” The products include elixirs, candles, bath products, crystals, and incense, and protection powders among other products made through their “queer indigenous alchemy.”
Plantiitas
Anthony Diaz and Kevin Alcarazare the queer Mexican couple who founded Plantiitas where they sell indoor plants out of their pop-up shops in Long Beach in California. They not only sell plants but promote self-care through plant care and regularly share their knowledge on how to best care for plants.
