Elevating Entrepreneurs
La Colaborativa’s Entrepreneurship program supports individuals seeking to navigate the complexities of starting and growing early childhood education, culinary, or maintenance, and cleaning businesses.
Services include multilingual technical assistance, workforce training and certifications, business counseling and mentorship, real estate services, and navigational assistance to boost access to capital, credit, and the necessary regulatory approvals. Its validated, community-centered model of entrepreneurship development is now growing into a centralized hub of small business development in Chelsea and the Metro North region, targeting priority sectors that lead to stable income, vital goods and services, living wage job creation, and residual social, cultural, and community benefits.
We Support Your Entrepreneurial Journey
By fostering a supportive ecosystem that celebrates diversity and resilience, we aim to uplift and amplify the voices and contributions of Boston’s vibrant Latinx entrepreneurial community.
Early Childhood Education
This initiative not only benefits aspiring entrepreneurs but also empowers educators, service providers, and parents, creating a ripple effect of economic and social prosperity throughout Boston’s Latinx community. We provide the guidance, advice, and support necessary for you to realize your dream of working with children. With strong ties to organizations like Early Education & Care and Bunker Hill Community College, we ensure you receive a top-tier education, equipping you for success in the workforce. Our mission is for members to attain a high-quality education and secure employment aligned with their course of study or establish their own daycare centers.
Maintenance & Cleaning
By building upon the skillsets of community members and addressing barriers to entry within competitive industries, we empower individuals for sustainable employment. Through strategic partnerships with La Colaborativa’s Union and corporate networks, participants in the Maintenance and Cleaning cohorts gain practical education on specialized cleaning and maintenance practices. These encompass a wide array of fields, from BioTech wet lab sanitation and hospital hygiene to school and childcare safety protocols, food service sanitation standards, weatherization, energy efficiency, and beyond.
Commercial Kitchen
Stemming from our want to support those who stepped up during the pandemic in the restaurant industry, our Cocina is now a permanent program ready to support you in your culinary mission. Our state-of-the-art commercial kitchen provides the perfect space for culinary innovators to refine their menus, apply their ServeSafe and EcoLab certifications, and strategize for long-term sustainability beyond the Cocina’s walls. While our Shared Kitchen Manager oversees operations, active involvement in ordering, procurement, scheduling, and a comprehensive 14-week bootcamp ensures that participants gain invaluable skills and experience. If you’re interested in engaging our Cocina team for an event or catering, please connect with us!
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