Celebrating the Ready to Grow Spanish Cohort: Class of 2026

Ready to Grow participants celebrate their completion of the program at May's graduation ceremony.

On May 29th, SVP Portland gathered to celebrate a milestone: the graduation of our first ever Ready to Grow cohort in Spanish! When we recognized the growing need for more Spanish-language programming, we were eager to step up and meet the challenge. The result was an incredible cohort made up of 17 participants representing 16 bilingual preschool programs in Multnomah and Washington County. This group was highly dedicated from the very beginning. They consistently showed up early, approached the material with clear intention, asked insightful questions, and were deeply involved in every discussion. But beyond their commitment to the curriculum, what stood out the most was how beautifully they showed up for each other.

Ready to Grow is SVP Portland's business development program for early childcare and education providers, but at its core, it is also a relationship builder. While participants work through essential modules covering Leadership, Marketing, Strategy Planning, Finance, Real Estate, and Management—guided by SVP Investor Partners and community advisors—what makes this accelerator truly special is the peer-to-peer learning. By bringing multiple preschool business owners together, we connect them not just to resources, but to each other.

One participant stated, “The highlight for me was listening to the experiences of other providers who are also trying to grow their programs while managing many responsibilities at the same time. It helped me feel that I am not alone in the challenges of running a childcare business. They told me, "Don't be afraid, it's time for you to have your center.”

Participants share resources and support throughout the program.

Conducting this cohort entirely in Spanish was a deliberate choice to meet providers where they are, ensuring that language is never a barrier to the knowledge and support that strengthens their businesses. For many participants, the program filled gaps they hadn't always had the time or resources to address on their own. From financial planning to marketing strategies to building a network of peers who truly understand the work, Ready to Grow covers ground that's hard to cover alone.

The learning went deep into the details. Yamel Olivas Solis of Early Connections Bilingual Preschool & Daycare described a moment of recognition during a session on finance. "When you receive a grant, you think all grants work the same way," she said. "But there are grants that by law you have to pay taxes on, it doesn't matter if you spend it all or not. That was something new to me, remarkable to me." It was exactly the kind of practical, unexpected knowledge that Ready to Grow is designed to deliver.

Participants work through the Strategy Planning Module with Program Facilitator Scott Overson.

Many participants came in strong on the education side but knew their business skills needed work. Roxana Hoyle, owner of Roxy's Preschool and Daycare, put it plainly: "Maybe I'm losing money and I don't even realize it." By the end of the program, that had shifted: "Now I know what I'm earning, when I'm saving, when I can save, when I can spend." She wasn't alone in that transformation. Across the cohort, participants moved from informal, day-to-day financial management to maintaining detailed budgets, managing cash flow, and in some cases actively pursuing expansion loans and working with professional CPAs.

Watch this short video to hear directly from Roxana about what the program meant to her.

Graduation was a moment to pause and take it all in. Participants were joined by their families for an evening of recognition, reflection, and well-deserved pride at CENTRL Pearl, which graciously hosted both the program sessions and the celebration. It was a fitting close to a meaningful few months.

Ready to Grow program graduates show their excitement and pride.

SVP Ready to Grow Program Manager, Jenn Luevano-Brummett reflected: “This cohort is so near and dear to my heart. They were incredibly dedicated to the content and, most importantly, to empowering each other. It has been an absolute joy to be able to offer our very first Ready to Grow program in Spanish, and I am excited to see what this amazing group of leaders will do next.”

SVP Staff and Ready to Grow program graduates celebrate together.

That sense of collective growth resonates beyond the cohort itself. As SVP Portland Executive Director Lauren Johnson put it: "By strengthening their organizations, they're strengthening the entire fabric of our community by preparing our next generation of leaders."

Ready to Grow's next cohort is on the horizon. It will run bi-weekly from August 16th - November 21st in English. If you know a childcare provider who could benefit, we'd love a warm introduction. Reach out to Jenn at jenn@svpportland.org. If you are a preschool business owner and are interested in participating, please apply here.

Curious what the experience looks like from the other side of the table? Read our conversation here with Marty Ramirez, an SVP Investor Partner who has served as a Ready to Grow facilitator and advisor.