UNL program helps immigrant family in Lincoln make their business dream a reality

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The family behind a Lincoln store is thanking UNL program for helping make its dream a reality. 

Amparito’s Market is one of the businesses that Rural Prosperity Nebraska has helped launch.

While walking through the store, you may notice that many of their products come from South and Central America.

The family came from Colombia in 2016.

They missed their home and wanted to open a store that could connect others like them to their culture. 

“Somehow we felt a lot of emptiness when we didn’t have that, so we want to provide that to the community,” said Raul Sarmiento, the owner’s son.

The family also wants to serve as a connection between Latin American products and all Nebraskans.

Many of the businesses Rural Prosperity helps are run by immigrants.  

“Since we started six years ago, we have helped over 500 entrepreneurs,” said Sandra Barrera, an educator with Rural Prosperity. “This year alone, we helped 145.”

The collaboration was possible through Rural Prosperity’s Small Latino Business Program. It offers free expert advice in Spanish and connects business owners with city governments.

For the Sarmientos, family was central when creating their business plan.  

“My mom worked in banking for 20 years when she was in Colombia, and now she runs kind of a mini bank within the store,” Sarmientos said.  “My dad was an entrepreneur for a long time in Colombia, and now he gets to be an entrepreneur in the United States.”

Sarmiento’s sister, uncle and cousin also work in the market.