Celebrating Small Business Success: Prospera's Annual Event Highlights Entrepreneurial Achievements

Inspiring Small Businesses to Thrive

On October 7, 2025, Prospera hosted its illustrious annual celebration at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables, Miami, proudly presented by Verizon. This signature event, aptly named the 2025 Prospera Success Stories with the theme "Together We Thrive," gathered an impressive assembly of stakeholders from the nonprofit economic development sector, committed to bolstering local entrepreneurs.

The event aimed to acknowledge the achievements of small business owners who have benefited from Prospera's comprehensive services. Among the notable honorees were Claudia Romero, the owner of Pega Grill, and Alejandra and Jose Sandoval, co-owners of TBK Food Trucks. Each entrepreneur exemplified the resilience and vitality of the South Florida business ecosystem.

George Bermudez, Chair of Prospera's Governing Board and Senior Vice President at Bank of America, stressed the ongoing need for support for budding businesses. He remarked, "We have a lot of work to do to ensure that those businesses that are starting have the knowledge and resources they need not just to survive, but also to thrive." His words resonated with the audience, highlighting the collaborative efforts required to foster a more resilient and prosperous economic landscape in South Florida.

The event’s proceedings commenced with an engaging introduction by Gloria Ordaz, a well-known news anchor from Telemundo 51, who set an enthusiastic tone for the evening. Myrna Sonora, Prospera's South Florida Vice President, expressed gratitude toward the invaluable contributions made by volunteers, partners, and funders, recognizing them as the backbone of Prospera’s mission.

A panel discussion followed, moderated by Augusto Sanabria, Prospera's President and CEO. This dialogue brought together influential figures from the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including James Kohnstamm from Miami-Dade County, Amanda Dietz of JPMorganChase, Monika Mantilla from Altura Capital, and Fabiana Estrada from Ascendus. Together, they discussed the critical importance of public-private partnerships and equitable access to capital as essential components for fostering successful small businesses.

Sonora emphasized the impact of tailored guidance and education on empowering entrepreneurs, stating, "When we collaborate to help entrepreneurs establish clear roadmaps, secure capital, plan strategically, scale operations, and build wealth, they not only thrive but also leave lasting legacies in our community." This profound notion encapsulates the spirit of the event: to inspire and continue the cycle of growth and resilience among local businesses.

The celebration was generously supported by numerous sponsors, with Verizon taking the lead as the Presenting Sponsor, complemented by contributions from ATT, Banesco, Bank of America, Capital One, Citizens Bank, JPMorganChase, Truist, Wells Fargo, First Bank, Health Foundation of South Florida, Hispanic Federation, and TD Bank.

About Prospera

Since its establishment in 1991, Prospera has specialized in providing bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs aiming to start, sustain, and grow their businesses. Over the past five years, the organization facilitated nearly $65 million in loans, trained over 17,000 entrepreneurs, and helped create or retain more than 18,600 jobs. Today, Prospera operates across Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia, tirelessly working to propel the success of the local business community. For more information about their initiatives, visit www.prosperausa.org.