LAZOS GLOBAL is now LIVE!
Lazos Global is a bilingual learning platform offering flexible, self-paced courses in English and Spanish. Created for people who adapt to quickly changing environments, we provide values-driven education that fits your life.
Who We Are
Mission
Our mission is to empower communities and small businesses through accessible, bilingual, educational, cultural, and entrepreneurial programs that strengthen community development, reducing financial, digital and linguistic barriers.
Business Alianzas is a community of small business owners, emergent entrepreneurs, and organizations collaborating to connect and forge professional partnerships. Alianzas members have integrated into a robust referral network to ensure equitable access to bilingual resources and opportunities to grow small businesses. We believe that collaboration, business-to-business relationships, and networking create a synergy for economic growth in our community.
Why Business Alianzas?
Alianza means alliance or coalition in Spanish.
noun
- a union or association formed for mutual benefit
- a relationship based on an affinity in interests, nature, or qualities
Business Alianzas is powered by the Puente Cultural Integration Team, lead by Bridget Espinosa.
Connect
Business Alianzas hosts a series of frequent networking events to help businesses connect to each other and to resources. We are trusted connectors with established relationships with small business owners. Join us for a cup of coffee or a cocktail soon!
Build
With our partners, we provide bilingual training, capacity building, coaching, and entrepreneurial workshops to specifically address challenges for our clients & members using outcome-based, innovative, inclusive program (re)design.
Lead
Business Alianzas provides leadership and program framework for the agencies and organizations that provide equitable access to opportunities to minority small businesses, especially women & immigrants.
Forging Relationships
- Quarterly Resource &
Opportunity Events - Networking Events
- Trilingual Outreach
- Referrals to Partner Members
1:1 Coaching & TA
Puente can provide customized coaching and direct technical assistance for your business. From start-up support, branding, LLC, EIN, and referrals, to goal setting, SWOT evaluation, marketing and promotion. We can also assist you with grant and loan applications.
Advocacy
The Founding Partners and Members of Business Alianzas have formed long-standing partnerships with nonprofit organizations, banking partners, government agencies and collaboratively advocate for equitable programs at every level.
What Our Partners Say
“As first time entrepreneurs being members of Business Alianzas/Puente Cultural Integration has provided us with access to valuable information, guidance and resources. We had a vision and lots of retail and managerial experience but were not prepared for the complexities involved in owning a brick-and-mortar. Bridget and her team have always made members their first priority.”
“We are very thankful for the Puente Team! When we felt like giving up they gave us hope to keep pushing. At times business life can be tough. It’s not as easy as it seems, but when you have a team behind you like the Puente Team it just makes it that much easier. “
“We get up everyday determined to help as many people as possible!”
“I consider Puente Cultural Integration and Business Alianzas a team that has brought resources and helped strengthen my business. Thanks to one of their events my husband was able to establish a connection with another entrepreneur which has benefitted his company by allowing him to have more work. ”
“Bridget helped me grow in a way that she’s pushing me to learn how to run a business. She’s always there to push me and make sure I’m on top of my game. She’s showing me how to run a business the right way and to make sure I’m on track with doing what needs to be done to make sure my company is doing everything the correct way.”
Blog – Puente Cultural Integration Puente Cultural Integration
- Chapter 54: MÁS
by puenteci on August 20, 2026On August 24th, I turn 54. Every year around my birthday, I choose a word to help shape the year ahead. This year, one word kept showing up again and again in my journal: MÁS. I have experienced a lot of loss over the last few years, and I am rebuilding a life that truly
- Miss Piggy Was Never the Insult
by puenteci on July 28, 2026Maybe We've Been Laughing at the Wrong Thing The woman who called me Miss Piggy thought she was commenting on my appearance. What I heard was something entirely different. Bold. Confident. Unapologetic. Visible. Ambitious. Larger than life. Independent. Resilient. Thank you. I'll take every one of those. Because today I understand something that took me nearly five decades to learn. I don't need to become smaller to make other people comfortable. I don't need permission to dream bigger. I don't need to apologize for taking up space. I don't need to settle for relationships, opportunities, or expectations that ask me to become less of myself. I can build businesses. I can start over. I can reinvent my life. I can say my dreams out loud. I can prioritize myself. And if that makes me Miss Piggy... I'll wear the pearls proudly.
- UNAPOLOGETICALLYby puenteci on July 11, 2026
Growth happens because we finally realize we are worth investing in. This new message is built around six simple pillars that have shaped my own journey: ✨ Alignment – Live according to your values. ✨ Authenticity – Become more of who you truly are. ✨ Trust in Yourself – Believe your own voice. ✨ Courage – Choose yourself, even when it's uncomfortable. ✨ Growth – Keep evolving because you're worth investing in. ✨ Joy – Create a life you don't need to escape from.