Capital One recently continued its support for Latino entrepreneurs by sponsoring the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Annual Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., during Hispanic Heritage Month. The event, themed "Developing The Leaders We Need For A Better Future," brought together over 600 participants, including Members of Congress, corporate executives, community leaders, and CHCI alumni to discuss ways to empower Latino small business owners.
Stephanie Sawda, Senior Business Director at Capital One, spoke at the NALCAB National Conference in Nashville about the importance of expanding access to capital for small business owners. She emphasized the critical role that Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) play in supporting entrepreneurs in both urban and rural communities.
The discussions at these conferences highlighted the significant contribution of Latino-owned businesses to the U.S. economy. According to recent research from Capital One’s Insights Center, small businesses contribute more than 43% of U.S. GDP and are key drivers of local economic growth and job creation. Over the past five years, Latino-owned businesses have experienced a 44% increase in numbers.
Despite this growth, many entrepreneurs continue to face challenges such as accessing capital and managing operations. Research from Capital One’s Insights Center found that planning for the future (45%), time management (42%), and cash flow management (39%) are among the top difficulties reported by small business owners. Additionally, resilience remains essential; adaptability is a common theme identified as crucial for success.
At this year's CHCI conference, Capital One hosted a panel moderated by Jackie Padilla from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists focused on building sustained resilience among Latino entrepreneurs. Dan Arellano, SVP of Business and Card Partnerships at Capital One, shared personal stories about his family's entrepreneurial journey: “I grew up in a family of small business owners. My grandfather owned a community printing press and I used to spend days at my aunt's version of a bodega in LA Paz, Bolivia - mostly trying out her candy. Most recently, I have been incredibly privileged to watch my wife and her business partner build a business, here in DC. And am naturally inspired by that commitment and grit that adventure requires,” Arellano said.
Marlene Orozco, CEO of Stratified Insights, presented data showing that without new businesses started by Latinos during major economic downturns like the Great Recession and COVID-19 pandemic, there would have been no net new business growth nationally—a trend that continues today. Marisa Calderon, President & CEO of Prosperity Now added: "Hard work is not enough…you need to have a well-constructed social network of people who can help you, especially in times where you'll need to be resilient.”
Conference participants identified several areas for improvement:
- Nearly half (48%) said 2024–2025 has been their most difficult year running a small business.
- Despite uncertainty—56% faced more than last year—89% remain optimistic about opportunities ahead.
- Accessing credit remains vital; many use credit card rewards for equipment or inventory purchases.
- Digital literacy around AI and finance could further support growth as Latinos increasingly adopt technology.
- Mentorship networks are crucial for fostering resilience among entrepreneurs.
Capital One’s partnerships with organizations like CHCI and NALCAB reflect its ongoing efforts to invest in community empowerment through research sharing and direct investment initiatives. In connection with its acquisition of Discover Financial Services (https://www.capitalone.com/about/newsroom/discover-acquisition/), Capital One announced a $265 billion Community Benefits Plan which includes $15 billion dedicated specifically to small business lending through programs like Ventures Lending.
The plan also aims to improve access to housing credit options for low-to-middle income consumers while investing in local infrastructure projects such as schools and healthcare facilities designed to strengthen communities nationwide.
Through continued research via its Insights Center—an initiative focused on socioeconomic mobility—and collaborations with nonprofits and community leaders across the country (https://www.capitalone.com/about/corporate-citizenship/), Capital One seeks long-term solutions that address persistent barriers facing minority-owned businesses while promoting broader prosperity.
According to information provided by Capital One's Insights Center initiative (https://www.capitalone.com/about/insights-center/), their approach combines proprietary research with strategic partnerships aimed at advancing financial inclusion through practical tools grounded in data analysis.