HARTFORD, Conn. — Clodomiro Falcon was a small business specialist in Hispanic American Merchants Association since 2014. Falcon previously had his own business where he created “La Guia Hispana”, what he calls “the Latino yellow pages”.

After Flacon was forced out of his job due to the emergence of the digital age in 2013, he started working at SAMA. It was then that he realized his true passion was helping other business owners succeed.

“When I call my executive director or when he calls me, we’ll ask ‘how are you’ and he’ll say ‘aqui, luchando por la patria’, which means ‘fight for my country,'” Falcon said. This answer means a lot because what we do at SAMA contributes to the well-being of this beautiful country.”

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Small business owners and minority entrepreneurs can face barriers for a variety of reasons, but SAMA helps break down those barriers to help small business owners succeed statewide.

“The businesses we serve are businesses that wouldn’t normally get the same business elsewhere, for different reasons, for different disparities that exist in the state,” Falcon said.

In 2021, racial minorities owned 12.1% of businesses in the state, according to the US Small Business Administration’s 2021 Small Business Profile.

SAMA has been helping budding entrepreneurs and established business owners since 1982. From creating a vision for a future business to helping with marketing and business plans, the non-profit organization has it all covered. .

While SAMA’s primary goal is to empower its clients to run a successful business, workshops and training are available at no cost to business owners. SAMA ensures business owners can run a successful business, from accounting to entry-level finance courses. Training courses are available, including computer training and QuickBooks. They also provide ServSafe, webinars, and legal support.

Loan programs and loan resources are also available through SAMA.

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“That’s what I was created for, so I’m happy to do this,” Falcon said.

SAMA was able to help small businesses in the face of adversity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many local businesses have struggled to stay afloat. But since the start of the pandemic, business at SAMA has been excellent, Falcon said.

“We’re busier than ever,” Falcon said.

They were able to ensure that small businesses received PPE equipment. Apply for federal and state government programs that are helping ease small business owners’ problems due to the pandemic.

SAMA has offices in New Haven and Hartford, but helps businesses statewide. There is no limit on the type of business that can receive services.

“We’ve set a goal to keep the business going (for the past few years) and we’ve achieved those goals at most companies,” Falcon said.

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Falcon recalled helping out a local food truck known as Tacos Santa Fe in New Haven a few years ago. He recalled helping the business owner complete permits and licenses in order to start his food truck business. He recalled the road traveled by the company since then.

“SAMA really has an impact on the community we serve. We create value, we create wealth and we help people,” Falcon said.

For more information, visit SAMA or contact the Hartford office at 860-278-5825 or the New Haven office at 203-865-0522.

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