The SBA is proud to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15 and applaud the significant economic contributions Hispanic-owned businesses make, the jobs they help create, and the positive impact they bring to communities. Hispanic-owned businesses are the fastest-growing entrepreneurs in the United States. They are helping drive the economy’s growth and job creation by creating nearly one in four new businesses and nearing 5 million strong while contributing more than $800 billion to the American economy each year. In New England alone, there are more than 96,000 Hispanic-owned small businesses.
As Latino communities in this state grow, we want to showcase NH’s Business Review (NHBR) 2022 Outstanding Woman in Business recipient, Sandra Almonte, owner of Don Quijote Restaurant in Manchester, who has been serving authentic Caribbean food in the Queen City since 2000.
Over the past two decades, Almonte’s business has grown and thrived from being one of the few Latino restaurants that ever existed in New Hampshire. Throughout the years, Almonte prioritized not only her restaurant but a genuine concern for the well-being of her employees and community. Almonte’s loyalty from her clients and her relationship with her customers has been critical to Don Quijote’ s success. During the pandemic, Almonte obtained an SBA PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan from Bank of America and received a SBA Economic Disaster Loan (EIDL) to help when times were uncertain.
In the future, Almonte, a native of the Dominican Republic, has a personal vision and goal to build a center to help all immigrants have a place for resources. Today she supports her employees, friends, and others by offering classes to learn ESL (English as a Second Language) empowering Latinos to learn the English language. She pushes projects forward on those issues through her volunteer work with many community organizations. It is a pleasure to recognize an outstanding women leader and celebrate the hard work and positive impact she continues to make in her NH community. For more information https://www.donquijoteunion.com/ .
The SBA recognizes that Hispanic and other minority entrepreneurs face obstacles when starting and expanding a business. It is the SBA’s role to help individuals overcome these inherent challenges and succeed. SBA’s efforts are providing equal access to business training, access to working capital, and new revenue opportunities from government contracting. It is crucial to empower underserved communities across the state and by investing in Hispanic-owned businesses. Small businesses are crucial to the economic growth and with the SBA’s programs and assistance offered with the help of our lending and resource partners, we are committed to help all businesses start, grow and succeed.