WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — As Hispanic Heritage Month approaches on September 15, small business owners like Josline Martin are finding support from local leaders and organizations in central Georgia.
Martin, who runs Sea Shells Seafood Restaurant in Warner Robins, is preparing to open a second location in Hawkinsville in mid-October. However, the journey has come with its challenges.
“Opening another restaurant is a dream, but it hasn’t been easy,” Martin said. “The support from the SBDC has been so important—they helped me secure the loan I needed to expand.”
The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been instrumental in helping Hispanic entrepreneurs like Martin navigate the complex process of business registration and funding.
According to the advisors, many small business owners in Central Georgia struggle with properly registering their businesses. This issue is particularly prevalent in Warner Robins, which has a growing population.
Luis Mendez, an advisor with the SBDC, pointed out that these hurdles often come from a lack of awareness.
“A lot of these entrepreneurs have great ideas and strong work ethic, but they just don’t know the steps to legally register their businesses,” Mendez explained. “We’re here to change that.”
Martin agrees that the resources have been a game-changer.
“I wouldn’t have known where to start without their guidance,” she said. “They walked me through everything, and now I’m opening a new location.”
To further address these challenges, the University of Georgia SBDC and Small Business Administration will host a class on Sept. 24 aimed at educating Hispanic entrepreneurs on the proper steps for starting a business, from registration to securing financial support.
With increased support and education, local leaders hope to see more Hispanic-owned businesses thrive in central Georgia.
The class will be held at the Museum of Aviation located at 1942 Heritage Blvd, Robins AFB, GA 31098. Networking starts at 8:30 a.m. and the class starts at 9 a.m.