bilingual business navigation
Starting a food business in Durango involves navigating 76 separate steps, creating significant barriers, especially for non- English speakers.
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Our Bilingual Business Navigator provides one-on-one assistance to entrepreneurs, helping them understand the process, and connecting them with the people and resources needed for permitting, financing, taxes, and marketing.
meet our navigators
As the founder 3 startups, and an immigrant entrepreneur herself, Priscila Newbold has established herself as La Plata County’s first bilingual food business navigator.
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In 2024 alone, she helped 28 new food entrepreneurs connect with 23 different services, including help with marketing, taxes, and licensing to advance their business
journey.
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You can reach Priscila at lovenjuicellc@gmail.com
As a bilingual lending and community development professional, Yani Rodriguez has spent more than a decade working with borrowers and small businesses across Southwest Colorado and the San Luis Valley. She builds partnerships and creates culturally responsive programs that expand access to business education and capital. She's also proud to have helped develop Fortaleza, an equitable lending program that connects immigrant entrepreneurs with affordable financing and practical support.
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You can reach Yani at rodriguezyani2244@gmail.com
In 2024 we surveyed entrepreneurs about working
with a business navigator:
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100% have had a positive experience
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100% would recommend navigation services to other entrepreneurs
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100% reported they were assisted by:
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Understanding where to go and who to talk to to advance their business
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Getting personal introductions at the appropriate agencies & services
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Having someone to relate to who understands what it’s like to run a business
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Having someone to help talk through their unique challenges
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100% reported an increase in marketing & business visibility as a result of navigation help
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86% increased personal contacts among the business network
the navigation program is funded by
the city of Durango
congratulations!
Priscila was awarded the Durango Chamber of Commerce's Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2024!
