Two friends. One dream. And an undeniable drive to turn their dream into reality.
When Alejandra and Irma met, they bonded over their love of authentic Sonoran food —and a vision to bring the colors, aromas, and traditions of the food they grew up with to the Phoenix area. They started by opening a catering business that quickly became a community favorite, serving parties, quinceañeras, and corporate events. As demand for their business grew, so did their dreams.
Their next step? Opening their first brick-and-mortar restaurant.
Like many small businesses, Las Marias needed financial support and investment to take that leap. But too often, microbusinesses – especially those in the restaurant industry – are turned away by traditional lenders. That changed when they found Prestamos CDFI, a division of Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC).
As a mission-driven lender, Prestamos meets small businesses where they are, providing fair and accessible access to capital. With a small business loan, Las Marias opened their first restaurant. A few years later, they opened their second location, and with their dreams ever-expanding, they now have their sights set on a third.
Prestamos believes in the dreams of our community, and invests in small businesses to turn those dreams into reality. A small business loan is more than just a financial agreement; it is a commitment to our community and the future of our economic prosperity.
