Spanish has historically been the language of choice for many multi-generational New Mexico families. And with Latin American immigration contributing to the number of small-business startups in New Mexico, it’s no surprise that many entrepreneurs can benefit from resources and assistance delivered in their first and natural language.
Enter Juan Albert, a Technical Assistance Advisor for the nonprofit lender The Loan Fund. Born in Cuba to a family from Spain, Albert uses his Spanish language skills to help deliver loans and lines of credit to small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the southern part of New Mexico. And then he offers technical support – in Spanish or English – to ensure those businesses thrive.
Albert’s 40-year career has taken him to 35 countries throughout Latin America, Europe, and Asia. After a stint at the U.S. Government Accountability Office in Washington DC, Albert was transferred to Panama to manage projects and personnel throughout Latin America. He later joined the firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers as a manager serving in Honduras with responsibilities overseeing projects and staff in five Central American countries. During his 10 years in Latin America, Albert worked primarily on programs related to economic and development assistance.
Albert also knows the challenges faced by small businesses. Returning to the United States in 1990, he started his first company, Juan Albert & Associates, a firm devoted to small businesses in the Midwest. Albert provided consulting on issues related to business development, strategic planning, and exports to Latin America.
Now as co-owner with his wife Claudia Gonzalez, Albert helps run Rincon de Mesilla, a coffee house and artisanal community gathering place in the small town of Mesilla near Las Cruces. In addition, he uses the skills he acquired on multiple continents and in many endeavors to assist The Loan Fund clients in Southern New Mexico.
“I deal with a lot of Spanish-speaking immigrants who have their own barriers starting from language and not quite understanding the nature of loans and how to get a loan,” said Albert. “It’s a whole educational process that we … go through.”
Albert credits his clients for their tenacity and si se puede attitude. “I like to think for all of us who work with The Loan Fund that we are in the business of dreams for women and men who cherish the opportunity to one day throw the dice, give it their all, and start their business,” he said.
The Loan Fund, a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) offers a range of loan options tailored to the unique needs of small businesses, including start-up loans, equipment loans, working capital loans, expansion loans, and even loans to non-profits. Its team of experienced loan officers is dedicated to helping businesses secure the financing they need to thrive and grow.
Since its founding in 1989, The Loan Fund has made more than 2,100 loans and supported the creation or retention of nearly 12,000 jobs in New Mexico. While the average loan size is $110,000, loans range from $5,000 to $1 million. To learn more, visit https://www.loanfund.org/
*Two more Technical Assistance Advisors, based in northern and central New Mexico respectively, serve The Loan Fund’s clients.
Finance New Mexico article 810