It’s hard enough starting or growing a small business, but when English is a second language, the task becomes more daunting.

The Small Business Development Center at Troy University is doing something about that problem in the Wiregrass region, however. The organization launched a new series of educational events presented in Spanish covering topics such as business licenses, taxes, financial reporting, human resources for small businesses, and legal structures.

“This is another way the SBDC can help area small businesses start and flourish,” said Center Director Juliana Bolivar, herself a native Spanish speaker from Colombia. “There are enough barriers to small business growth. Language shouldn’t be another hurdle a business owner must jump.”

Bolivar kicked off the series as the keynote speaker at Daleville’s Latino Business Expo on May 1.

“The community was very welcoming of the event and the mayor was excited to see so many talented community members looking for information to form a business,” she said.

Bolivar spoke on the resources available to small businesses in the area and explained how to get one-on-one support from the SBDC in Spanish as well.