When Víctor Aparicio arrived in the United States in 2017, he brought with him a story marked by work from an early age and the conviction that the entrepreneurship can change the course of a family.
Today, that path has led him to directly impact more than 350 Latino entrepreneurs in the state through the Expande Business Program.
Aparicio's work was recently recognized with the Martin Luther King Jr. Award Young Dreamers 2026, being one of the two award winners, in front of the mayor, council members and community leaders of Winston-Salem. This award, given by the City Council and the Human Relations Commission, honors young leaders who drive significant change in historically underserved communities.
“I received it on behalf of every family we are serving… and we take it as a gesture, as a show of love and support. Something symbolic from the city of Winston-Salem to the Latino community here and in all the surrounding cities, throughout the county,” Aparicio told Enlace Latino NC .
“I receive this with great honor, because for us every family is a source of hope; they can see a future when they see the possibility of starting a business, of undertaking something. It can bring them opportunities to provide for their families,” he added.
The Young Dreamers Award recognizes two young adults, aged 18 to 40, who are residents of the city and have made a tangible impact on the lives of people who might otherwise have been overlooked, ignored, or disadvantaged. This year's honorees are Victor Aparicio and Corey McCann. / Photo: Supplied
From Guatemala to North Carolina
Originally from Guatemala, Aparicio grew up in a family of limited resources and, from childhood, worked alongside his grandmother in small businesses.
That experience taught him that learning to generate income and acquiring new skills can open doors and create stability.
“I didn’t grow up with my biological parents; they passed away, and from a very young age I remember always working alongside my grandmother, in her business, in her ventures, and I have seen, well, the difference that makes in a family,” Aparicio said.
Related: How Hispanic Entrepreneurs Are Boosting North Carolina’s Economy
Expande Business Program: support beyond the idea
Through the Expande Business Program, support ranges from the conception of an idea to the formalization of the businessincluding permits, licenses, marketing plans, and connections with local institutions.
The Spanish-language program also offers group training, personalized mentoring, and funding opportunities through business accelerators and business presentation competitions.
Stories that reflect community impact
Aparicio emphasized that entrepreneurship is not limited to a single type of business. She recalled the story of a single mother who came to the program with her tamale business, unsure if her skill could become a profitable venture.
“When this person comes and says, ‘I don’t know if this is a business, I don’t know if it can be monetized,’ I tell them, ‘Of course it can. We’re going to connect you with people and events.’ During the Christmas season, he sold almost 400 tamales; he became known and formalized his catering service,” Aparicio said.
One of Expande's standout programs is the Pitch Competition, inspired by Shark Tank, in which entrepreneurs present their businesses to judges and the public.
“We had more than 300 people at the Central County Library, with 20 companies competing. The prizes totaled more than $10.000,” Aparicio said.
Participants receive professional feedback, practical advice, and access to financial resources. One entrepreneurial couple, owners of a sheet metal workshop, received nearly $50.000 in support through the competition and other Expande programs.
Looking to the future: expansion and new opportunities
Looking ahead, Aparicio indicated that Expande aims to broaden its reach to other cities in North Carolina. This is in response to the growing demand from entrepreneurs who travel from various communities to participate in its programs.
The next event is on January 27th to teach how create a LLC or a DBA and the steps to obtain an EIN number.
Those interested in the Expande Business Program, participating in training or future Pitch Competitions, can contact us directly:
Contact: Víctor Aparicio or Rebeca Segebre
Email: infoaparicio@gmail.com
WhatsApp: 336-934-9522
Facebook: Expande University
Instagram: Expand Business
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