Q&A with Duniesky Landa Ruiz | Arsht-Cannon Grantee Series  

Q&A with Duniesky Landa Ruiz, Business Coach with the West End Launcher Program (Arsht-Cannon Grantee Series)

What is your role at the West End Launcher Program and what do you do? 

I am a Business Coach with the Launcher Program, where I work directly with entrepreneurs to help them turn their ideas into sustainable businesses and support existing business owners as they grow. I have 18 years of experience working with the Hispanic community, and for the past 10 years I have had the opportunity to serve as a Business Coach with the Launcher Program, helping entrepreneurs navigate every stage of their business journey. 

My role is to provide one-on-one coaching in areas such as business planning, financial management, marketing, growth strategies, and decision-making. I also provide technical assistance by helping participants use digital tools, online platforms, and business systems that allow them to operate more efficiently. 

Through the Launcher Program, we offer our business development course twice a year, during the Fall and Spring sessions, where entrepreneurs receive training, resources, and personalized guidance to strengthen their businesses. My goal is to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to build successful and sustainable businesses. 

What work does the DCF’s Arsht-Cannon Fund support for the West End Launcher Program? 

The support from the DCF’s Arsht-Cannon Fund is essential because it allows us to offer our business development course to entrepreneurs who otherwise might not have access to this type of training. Their funding helps remove one of the biggest barriers many entrepreneurs face8 — the cost of receiving quality business education and professional guidance. 

Through this support, participants receive training in business planning, financial management, marketing, and growth strategies, while also benefiting from personalized coaching and technical assistance throughout the program. This investment gives entrepreneurs the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to build sustainable businesses. 

More than funding a business course, the DCF’s Arsht-Cannon Fund is investing in people, families, and communities. By helping entrepreneurs strengthen and grow their businesses, the Fund contributes to job creation, economic growth, and greater financial stability for families throughout Delaware. 

How does this work support the Hispanic community in Delaware? 

Many Hispanic entrepreneurs have great business ideas and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, but they often face barriers such as limited access to funding, language barriers, unfamiliarity with the U.S. business system, and a lack of awareness of the resources available to help them succeed. 

The Launcher Program provides education, business coaching, and ongoing support to help entrepreneurs build strong businesses, better understand the entrepreneurial process, and make informed decisions. Through training, personalized coaching, and technical assistance, we help entrepreneurs overcome obstacles and build businesses with long-term potential. 

When we support an entrepreneur, the impact extends far beyond one business. Successful businesses create jobs, strengthen families, and contribute to the economic growth and vitality of Delaware’s Hispanic community. 

Are there any challenges in serving the Hispanic community beyond translation? 

Yes. While language can be an important barrier, the challenges go far beyond translation. Many Hispanic entrepreneurs have talent, experience, and great business ideas, but when starting or growing a business in the United States, they often face challenges understanding the business system, legal requirements, licensing, permits, regulations, and the steps needed to operate successfully. 

They may also encounter barriers such as limited access to capital, little or no credit history, unfamiliarity with financing options, difficulty building professional networks, limited access to technology, and the need to learn digital tools that are essential in today’s business environment. Many entrepreneurs are also balancing long work hours with family responsibilities, leaving little time for business education and professional development. In some cases, they simply are not aware of the programs and resources available to support them. 

That is why our work through the Launcher Program goes beyond providing information. We walk alongside entrepreneurs throughout their business journey by offering business training, personalized coaching, and technical assistance. Our goal is to help them overcome these barriers, strengthen their skills, and build sustainable businesses that create lasting opportunities for their families and the communities they serve. 

What changes have you witnessed in the Hispanic community in Delaware over the last 20 years? 

Over the last 20 years, I have witnessed tremendous growth in Delaware’s Hispanic community, both in population and in its contribution to the local economy. More people are pursuing entrepreneurship, opening businesses, and creating opportunities for their families and their communities. 

I have also seen a growing interest in business education, financial planning, and the resources available to help entrepreneurs succeed. Through programs like the Launcher Program, many business owners have gained the knowledge, confidence, and tools needed to build sustainable businesses. 

The impact of this work can be seen in businesses such as Izzy Quesitos, La Morena, Tacos Atzala, Esthetics Pretty Woman, and Dominican Cafe. These businesses have become established, continue to grow, and create jobs in the communities they serve. Seeing entrepreneurs achieve long-term success and contribute to Delaware’s economy has been one of the most rewarding changes I have witnessed. 

The Arsht-Cannon Fund (ACF) was endowed by the Honorable Roxana Cannon Arsht, appointed as Delaware’s first female judge, and her husband, S. Samuel Arsht, a prominent corporate attorney and founding partner of Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell. Their mission for the ACF was to preserve, support, and defend the best interests of a civil society. Adrienne Arsht, their daughter, helped shape the Arsht-Cannon Fund’s early focus on serving Hispanic communities in Delaware through educational opportunities. Since 2004, the ACF has awarded over $12 million to 150 organizations, focusing on areas such as language learning, youth and arts programs, leadership development, Hispanic small business support, health education, and special initiatives. For more information, contact DCF Director of Community Partnerships and Hispanic Initiatives Dr. Jennifer Fuqua at [email protected].