FAQ

Prospera can help the business owner(s) with individual business consulting, minority certification, business seminars in Spanish to sharpen skills and prepare to start or grow your business, business grants to obtain additional services paid and vetter by Prospera, and access to capital from traditional banks or microlenders.

The sooner the better! If you haven’t begun or registered it yet, Prospera can provide you with tips to start your business in the right direction. Prospera can help entrepreneurs during the start-up phase, to analyze your business idea before you act on it. And if you already own a business, Prospera can help you grow and strengthen your company to increase your success.

Prospera assists entrepreneurs in the process of applying for loans (commercial, SBA or microloans) from other sources. If obtained, loans are money that must eventually be paid back to the lender, usually with interest costs. Prospera business grants are free of cost, do not have to be repaid, and are subcontracted business development projects awarded to entrepreneurs and paid by Prospera. They include business and marketing plans, legal and accounting structure assessments, corporate branding and Web site creation, QuickBooks® dedicated consulting, export assistance and loan application preparation. Prospera can assist clients with both services.

All Prospera services are free for clients, thanks to donations and grants we raise throughout the year to cover our expenses.

Prospera has offices in Tampa, Orlando, Kissimmee, Heathrow, Miami/Doral and Hollywood. Staff members will often deliver services in additional cities across Florida. Please call and schedule an appointment or to get more information.

The first step to get assistance if you do not have an established business or if your business has been established for less than one year, is to attend a Prospera orientation, titled “Successful Strategies for New Businesses.” This seminar covers basic information, such as legal and tax structure options, licenses and permits, state regulations, and financing options. All seminars are offered in Spanish, free of charge, and open to the public.

If you already have an established business and are looking to strengthen or expand it, you can schedule an appointment with a business development consultant, who can assist you in identifying short and long-term needs and opportunities, as well as resources Prospera can offer to develop your business.

The Prospera service model is unique and integral. All of our services have been designed for 25 years and specifically for the Hispanic entrepreneur. They are all available in Spanish and some in English.

Our services are provided to clients for free, thanks to contributions from individual and corporate donors, government grants and fundraising events. Clients can receive assistance from Prospera business development consultants, subcontracted professionals in different fields, workshop presenters who are subject matter experts, and community volunteers from different sectors and industries who play key roles throughout our organization.

Donations support all Prospera services—from educational programs to consulting and entrepreneurial grants—so that more Hispanic entrepreneurs can achieve their business ownership dream, succeed as small business owners, and create jobs in our communities.

Thank you for your support! You can donate as much as you would like. There are three options to make financial contributions toward Prospera programs: provide an individual or corporate donation in the amount desired; support our special events by attending or becoming an event sponsor; or take advantage of an annual sponsorship level and its many benefits. Please contact the local Prospera office for more information.