Structure, Dignity, and Support: Kersy Azocar on What Latino Small Businesses Need to Thrive Posted on June 8, 2026June 5, 2026 By Kekeletso Nkele, small.news Assistant (small.news) — On May 21, 2026, Kersy Azocar, CEO of Greenline Access Capital, joined our small.talk, sharing her passion for uplifting Latino and immigrant-owned small businesses with dignity and purpose. Kersy spoke with Silver Lining Founder and CEO Carissa Reiniger. She spoke candidly about the pressing need for structure, financial literacy, and trustworthy guidance in underserved communities, while raising concern about the psychological toll on owners left without proper support. Q: Why do you care about small businesses? A: I refuse to allow bad pictures on our website. Everyone is shown with makeup and a nice dress because dignity is essential to us. Our narrative comes from love and dignity, not from seeing ourselves as victims. How can we change this narrative? Three main reasons stand out. First, small businesses contribute significantly to local economies and communities. They hire locally, purchase from local vendors, and are deeply rooted in our neighborhoods. Second, their networking keeps these businesses resilient and connected. Third, they build a legacy for their families and communities. Top Stories From Local Hustle to Global Reach: South African SMMEs Are Taking Their Shot on the World Stage South African small, medium, and micro enterprises are expanding beyond local markets and proving one central point: homegrown businesses can compete globally, reports Brand South Africa. Canada’s Small Businesses Are Missing AI’s Biggest Productivity Gains Canada’s small and medium-sized businesses could help grow the economy by 6%, roughly $150 billion, if all of them were using AI in their operations, according to a new study by the Business Development Bank of Canada, reports The Logic. 8 Ways to Hire Better Without Becoming Overly Corporate Hiring in a small business may feel risky, but you don’t need to become a corporate HR department to get it right. Q: How do you sort of see this moment specifically for Spanish-speaking small businesses in the US? A: Once we hear genuine narratives about the contributions of Latino- and immigrant-owned businesses, not just marketing, it helps us understand why supporting them matters. For example, if you have a restaurant selling pancakes and waffles, I might not be your customer, but my daughters could be. Seeing those unique contributions is important. We need to make it a win-win for everybody by recognizing contributions. Q: What are you seeing your community needs most right now? A: The main need right now is more structure for small businesses. Many can’t grow because they lack the necessary infrastructure. Even with funding, without a clear plan, they can’t use resources effectively. Before seeking funding, businesses need a clear understanding of key metrics: revenue, costs, and financial planning. This clarity enables sustainable growth. Small businesses face high expectations but often lack support and structure. They need more incentives, clearer regulations, and practical help to succeed. Q: What’s your hope for Philadelphia? A: Definitely a stronger business community where they can feel supported. Not only is the business community vibrant, but also, because businesses are vibrant, our communities are safer and offer a greater variety of services. We won’t have food deserts or a lack of resources in any neighborhood. My dream is a livable wage and required business training for all new entrepreneurs, so every business owner is equipped from the start. Q: What are you most worried about for small businesses? A: My top concern is the psychological toll on small business owners. Without proper support, they may seek guidance from unqualified sources, risking poor decisions. My fear is that businesses act out of desperation, not knowing where to turn for help. Seeking advice from untrained individuals or tax preparers harms small businesses, affecting key decisions and growth opportunities. Q: What are you most excited about for small businesses right now? A: Our training programs have an 85% completion rate. This high engagement excites us and shows the value of business education. Businesses are eager to learn, join mentorship, and participate in coaching. That is a win for us. Q: You have a magic silver wand, and you can make one thing true for every single small business owner in the world right now. What would you use your silver wand for? A: Give them all the resources and knowledge they need to run their business. Also, having resources, like, “I need X. Where do I go?”, “I need C. Where do I go?” Knowing they can count on someone trustworthy to guide them or connect them to the right person, banker, or whoever it is. Q: How do we rally around you and your work? A: One way is to follow us on Instagram. If you or anyone watching has connections to help us access resources within our organization, we do need money, but we also value connections. If you think we could connect with someone who could advance our work or a complementary partner, that would be great. Do you want to shop small? Check out our new buy.small Marketplace! Latest Stories
From Local Hustle to Global Reach: South African SMMEs Are Taking Their Shot on the World Stage South African small, medium, and micro enterprises are expanding beyond local markets and proving one central point: homegrown businesses can compete globally, reports Brand South Africa.
Canada’s Small Businesses Are Missing AI’s Biggest Productivity Gains Canada’s small and medium-sized businesses could help grow the economy by 6%, roughly $150 billion, if all of them were using AI in their operations, according to a new study by the Business Development Bank of Canada, reports The Logic.
8 Ways to Hire Better Without Becoming Overly Corporate Hiring in a small business may feel risky, but you don’t need to become a corporate HR department to get it right.