East Bay business Alicia’s Tamales Los Mayas grows with help from local Latino nonprofits [Video]

HAYWARD (KPIX) – During Hispanic Heritage Month, advocates for Latino business owners say more can be done to support these entrepreneurs who still face barriers even with so much growth over the past decade. 

“We come to this country as an immigrant because we’re looking for a better life and a good education for our kids,” said Alicia Villanueva of Alicia’s Tamales Los Mayas. “Everybody has a dream, in business, in everything, just work hard, and find the resources and it’s going to come through, for sure.”

Villaneuva came to the U.S. from Mexico in 2000 and started making tamales she could sell on her own about a year later. She was already working two jobs, but tried to earn more money selling her food on the street and knocking on doors. 

By 2007 she started to get help from nonprofits. La Cocina, the San Francisco incubator focused on helping women of color, accepted her into their training …