Free Spanish-Language Workshop Series for Entrepreneurs

From Kutztown University

The Berks LaunchBox, a Penn State innovation hub, and the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) are partnering to present a new Spanish-language workshop series: “Learn Business Basics – Take the First Step in Your Startup Journey.”

Designed to empower Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs in Berks County and beyond, this free monthly series introduces key business concepts, provides opportunities to share startup ideas, outlines practical next steps, and connects participants with vital resources to help launch and grow their businesses.

Upcoming Workshops

• How to Register a Business
  • 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20
    • Learn the legal steps and compliance requirements to start your business. Gain access to free support from the Penn State Entrepreneur Assistance Law Clinic.
• Creating a Business Model Canvas
  • 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11
    • Explore your vision and strategy while learning the financial basics that form the foundation of your startup.
• Navigating PA One Stop Shop for Cottage Industries
  • 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22
    • Prepare your small food or craft business for success by understanding the application process and requirements for cottage industries in Pennsylvania.

Future Topics (Dates tBA)

• Attracting and Retaining Customers (market research, strategies, digital tools)
• Marketing Fundamentals (branding, social media, promotions)
• Basic Financial Management (budgeting, pricing, cash flow)
• AI for Business (efficiency and decision-making with AI tools)
• Email Marketing (campaign creation and automation)

Expert Instructors

Lorena Bravo, Kutztown University Small Business Development Center
Lorena Bravo serves as a Bilingual Business Consultant with the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center, where she provides no-cost consulting and training to entrepreneurs across Berks, Lancaster, Chester, Lebanon, and Dauphin counties. An Ed.D. candidate in Transformational Teaching and Learning and a former business owner, Bravo specializes in helping minority-owned, women-owned, and community-based businesses navigate the process of starting and growing a business in Pennsylvania. Fluent in English and Spanish, she is dedicated to empowering Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs through accessible guidance in business planning, funding preparation, marketing strategy, and regulatory compliance. Bravo also serves on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley.

Claudia Hernandez, Penn State Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic
Claudia Hernandez, a student at Penn State Dickinson Law School, has worked with the Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic since May 2024. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Miami.

Frael Reinoso, Berks LaunchBox
Frael Reinoso is an entrepreneur, educator, and founder of Palaeli Studio, where he provides web development, SEO, branding, and photography services. He also hosts the Spanish-language podcast El Posca and specializes in event and commercial photography. Through his work with Berks LaunchBox, Reinoso mentors aspiring entrepreneurs and leads Spanish-language workshops that help individuals gain the confidence and tools to launch and grow their businesses.

Registration

All sessions are free of charge and held once per month in Reading or Kutztown. Space is limited, so advance registration is encouraged. Register at berkslaunchbox.psu.edu/project/business-basics.

About the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center

The Kutztown University Small Business Development Center (KUSBDC) is a leading resource for entrepreneurs seeking to start a business in Pennsylvania or grow an existing one. Serving Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster, Chester, and Lebanon counties, as well as rural communities across Central, South Central, and Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Kutztown SBDC provides no-cost, confidential consulting, training, and business resources to help individuals and small businesses succeed. Through expert guidance in business planning, funding preparation, marketing strategy, and regulatory compliance, KUSBDC consultants work one-on-one with clients to transform ideas into sustainable businesses. The Center also provides specialized bilingual business consulting for Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs, ensuring access to free business resources and startup assistance across Pennsylvania. Whether you’re searching for how to start a business in Pennsylvania, free help to start a small business near me, or bilingual business consulting in Berks, Lancaster, or Dauphin counties, the Kutztown University SBDC connects you with the professional guidance and tools needed to start, grow, and prosper. Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Department of Community & Economic Development, through support from Service Center host institutions, and by other sources of state and federal funding. Full disclosures available at pasbdc.org/funding-sources. For more information on how to start a small business in Pennsylvania, visit pasbdc.org/kutztown or contact Rachael Wolfe, business consulting program manager, KUSBDC, at rwolfe@kutztown.edu. For Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania seeking free business startup support, reach out to Lorena Bravo, Bilingual Business Consultant at the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center, at bravo@kutztown.edu.

About the Penn State Berks LaunchBox

The mission of Berks LaunchBox, located in Suite 105 of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in downtown Reading, is to support economic development and entrepreneurship. An innovation hub of Penn State Berks, the LaunchBox connects local early-stage entrepreneurs to the support, resources, and facilities that they need to build sustainable and scalable businesses with a viable plan for growth. Services include assistance with prototyping, conducting market research, and connecting with advisers. Berks LaunchBox offers entrepreneurship workshops, a co-working space for startups, workshops focused on business development, a Makerspace with 3D printers for prototyping, and special youth programs. The LaunchBox also provides bilingual business mentoring and workshops in Spanish to ensure that Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs have access to free resources and startup support. Berks LaunchBox is supported by Invent Penn State – a commonwealth-wide initiative to spur economic development, job creation, and student career success. For more information, visit berkslaunchbox.psu.edu or contact Erica Kunkel, director of continuing education and Berks LaunchBox, at 610-396-6221 or ELS5014@psu.edu.

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