EP 137: The Hidden Challenges Latino Entrepreneurs Face When Selling a Business with Rudy Bustamante

Latino-owned businesses are one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. economy, yet many owners still struggle when it’s time to sell or transition. Gaps in financial records, limited access to the right advisors, and the absence of an exit plan often lead owners to shut down or hand over their businesses without capturing real value.

Rudy Bustamante, Financial Planner at OneIndiana Financial Group, discusses why this happens and what can be done about it. He explains how cultural and language barriers complicate the process, why succession planning is rarely discussed, and how simple systems and accurate financials can change the outcome for an owner and their family. Rudy also highlights the resources owners should know about and how to spot advisors who understand the unique needs of the Latino business community.

In this episode, you will:

• Learn why many Latino business owners fail to plan for an exit 

• Understand the role of financial records and planning in a successful business transition

• Discover the cultural and language barriers that affect Latino business sales and how to address them

Highlights:

(00:00) Meet Rudy Bustamante

(04:19) Challenges faced by Latino-owned businesses

(10:53) Generational wealth and business transition

(20:09) Retirement in the Latino community

(22:47) Family dynamics and retirement plans

(23:11) Transitioning Latino businesses

(28:35) Predatory practices and community trust

(30:52) Building trust and resources

Follow Rudy:

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudybustamanteoif/

Website: https://www.bustamanteconsulting.com/

Learn more about OneIndiana Financial Group: https://www.oneindianafinancial.com/

Follow Ed:

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersofbusinessvalue/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bvdefenders

Resources for Latino Business Owners

National & Broad-Reach

• Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative (SLEI) – Free education programs, some scholarships, research, and the “Scaling Program”: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/labs-initiatives/slei

• Latino Business Action Network (LBAN) – Stanford-partnered scaling and exit-planning cohorts: www.lban.us

• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – Spanish-language resources, free counseling: https://www.sba.gov/document/support-national-resource-guide-spanish

• SCORE Mentoring – Free mentors, many bilingual, search for “Spanish” or “Latino”: https://www.score.org/find-mentor 

Exit-Planning & Valuation Specific

• International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) – Broker directory; filter for Spanish-speaking: https://www.ibba.org/

• Value Builder System – Free “Value Builder Score” questionnaire (Spanish version available): https://valuebuilder.com/

Capital & Financial Clean-Up

• Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) – Latino-focused lenders who understand informal records: search “CDFI Latino”, https://oportun.com/ or https://www.liftfund.com/

• Accion Opportunity Fund – Loans and bilingual coaching specifically for Latino owners: https://aofund.org/

Local/Regional Powerhouses

• U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) – Local chapters everywhere: www.ushcc.com

• Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) – DC/Maryland/Virginia: https://www.ledcmetro.org/

• Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA):  https://medasf.org/

Books & Quick Reads (in Spanish or bilingual)

• “De Emprendedor a Empresario” – LBAN/Stanford free PDF

• “Finish Big” by Bo Burlingham (Spanish edition available)