RANDOLPH – A woman who immigrated from Guatemala is now living the American dream with a successful day care in Randolph, Massachusetts.
“My business was named one of the ‘Businesses of the Year’ last year for being an in-home family daycare, and I’m very proud of it,” Dora Aguilar told WBZ-TV.
But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. After moving to Massachusetts in 1994, Aguilar gave birth to her first child four years later and soon struggled to find child care. It was during this struggle that the former teacher had a “lightbulb” moment.
“I know exactly how to interact with my kids, I know exactly what to do, so why am I struggling myself and why am I putting my kids through this,” she said.
Expanding Latino Small Business Programs
Aguilar founded Bright Beginner’s Day Care in 2001. For years, the business managed to get by but never thrived. Eventually, she discovered Amplify LatinX’s small business program.
Eneida Roman, president and CEO of Amplify LatinX, says people who participate in her nonprofit’s programs are passionate about their businesses but aren’t necessarily experts at running one.
See yourself as a business owner
“They’re so wrapped up in their work that they don’t really see themselves as business owners, so we help them see themselves as business owners,” Roman told WBZ.
She says the free program helps small business owners identify and overcome blind spots in their business.
“We want to teach them how to file their taxes properly, how to market properly, how to bookkeeping properly, how to do projections, so they understand where their money is going,” Roman said.
Since participating in the program, Aguilar has seen a dramatic increase in profits and is planning to expand her business. She highly recommends the program to others.
“Don’t be afraid to knock on doors or ask people you know what you can learn,” Aguilar told WBZ.
