Juntos Belize | Background
Past research indicated Belize’s business mortality rate is nearly double the Latin America and Caribbean regional average. And, 42% of these business failures can be directly linked to knowledge gaps in core business competencies. (Source: Global Entrepreneurship Monitor)
Furthermore, in 2019 the dominant majority (>70%) of Belizean small and medium size business owners surveyed lacked any formal business training or education. (Source: Inter-American Development Bank).
It is within these findings that the strong need for business education and training was established.
For several years, the program was self-funded by a core team of individuals from the venture capital, startup business, and professional communities in the U.S. who shared a strong passion for give-back. These offerings were provided at no charge to participants, with invitations extended through personal contacts, networking, social media outreach and the organization’s website. There is no formal application required to participate.
More recently, the Juntos Advisory Board encouraged the implementation of a nominal fee for these events to enhance the perception of value, provide scholarship opportunities, and help offset expenses associated with conference room rentals, local transportation and workshop materials.
Juntos Belize | Founding Principles
Juntos Belize is fundamentally grounded in the biblical principles and teachings of Jesus Christ, which serve as both its foundation and guiding framework.
At its core, the organization embraces Christ's commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31), translating this into tangible action through community service, mutual support, and genuine care for one another.
The ministry draws from Jesus's example of radical inclusivity, as seen in His interactions with marginalized communities, and His call to "bear one another's burdens" (Galatians 6:2), creating spaces where people from diverse backgrounds can come together in unity.
Juntos operates on the principle that faith must be accompanied by works (James 2:17), embodying Christ's teaching that "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant" (Matthew 20:26) through practical ministry that addresses both spiritual and physical needs.
Juntos Belize is a nondenominational faith-based initiative that welcomes entrepreneurs, business leaders and community influencers from all religious traditions to unite in serving their communities while being rooted in the foundational teachings of Jesus Christ and biblical principles.
For more detailed information, please visit: Statement of Christian Foundation
Juntos Belize | Introduction
Juntos Belize started a vocational school in Stann Creek. A team of experienced business men and women from Austin, Texas organized the first workshop for small business owners with the intent of providing much needed business education and training. These sessions were tailored for cultural relevance in Belize and then delivered in the form of a two day workshop.
Momentum shifted later to Belmopan where the need was similar but the number of small businesses and daily operational challenges appeared to be much greater. 70+ business leaders have now participated in past Juntos Belize programs and continue to be involved.
Juntos Belize | Vision, Mission, Purpose and Core Values
When faced with difficult decisions, competing priorities, or unexpected opportunities, we return to these foundational truths to guide our path forward. They ensure that our daily actions contribute to our long-term vision, that our resources are invested wisely, and that we remain unified in purpose even as we grow and evolve.
These principles also serve as our accountability standard—holding each other responsible for decisions that align with our stated values, evaluating new projects against our mission's scope, and living out these commitments in our personal lives as well as our professional work.
Without this clarity of identity and direction, organizations drift, decisions become reactive rather than strategic, and teams lose sight of what truly matters. With it, we build something lasting, meaningful, and empowered to bring about the transformation God desires in the world.
For more detailed information, please visit: Vision and Mission
Juntos Belize | What We Do
Since the program was founded in 2017, the number of Juntos Belize programs has grown to include the following:
1) Business Leadership Summits
These workshops are designed for entrepreneurs, business leaders and community influencers who have mastered the fundamentals and are ready for next-level challenges, elevate their strategic thinking, and expand their reach.
The focus and topics presented speak to leaders who recognize that even with their significant experience, there's always room for growth and innovation. Whether they’re managing a nonprofit, or business for a decade, or have successfully led multiple ventures, they have an opportunity to connect with peers who share their depth of experience while gaining fresh perspectives on emerging technologies and challenges.
2) Community Networking Events
These networking events provide safe harbor for business leaders and decision makers to connect with their peers, share resources, and form meaningful collaborations. Ideal setting for breaking down silos, and learning innovative solutions to shared challenges.
One of the most popular and well-attended events sponsored by Juntos, attendance at the Juntos Networking events have ranged from a few to 65+ local business men and women.
These events normally feature a keynote speaker with a relevant topic. There will also be plenty of time to meet your peers in other business or nonprofit ventures.
3) One-on-one Professional Consulting
These confidential consulting sessions are designed to openly discuss specific business challenges within the privacy of your place of business.
In these sessions, we provide safe harbor for discussing the professional and sometimes personal challenges of managing a business. We offer a listening ear, honest feedback, and practical wisdom gained from years of experience.
4) Online Learning Community
The Juntos Online Learning Community is a series of webinars for business owners, managers, and decision makers in Belize. Each session covers a practical topic that matters to people running a business or leading an organization: finance, marketing, leadership, operations, technology, and more. Speakers are experienced business leaders and practitioners, and the topics vary based on requests we receive for more information on a specific area of interest.
5) Specialized Training
Many of our alumni have requested specialized training in specific areas of need. Past topics included QuickBooks Academy, Logo Development, Managing your Brand, and guidance on the development of a compelling Business Strategy.
These training events are staffed by local and US-based professional with a demonstrated expertise in the topics.
Juntos Belize | Today
The Juntos community has more than tripled in the last few years. About 70 business leaders had completed a Juntos program by the end of 2024 and 112 by the end of 2025. Today more than 230 business owners, managers, and decision makers have completed the training and remain part of the Juntos community.
We continue to offer practical training, built for Belize, delivered by people who have run businesses themselves, and offered at little or no cost so price is never the reason someone stays home. We believe stronger businesses mean more jobs, more stable families, and healthier communities, and that how a business is run can be a real expression of faith.
If you’d like to help us reach the next 230, please consider a gift to Juntos Belize.
Juntos Belize | 501(c)(3) and NPO
Juntos Belize is a faith-based organization registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the U.S. and as a nonprofit organization (NPO) in Belize. This dual registration lets us work directly with Belizean entrepreneurs and community leaders while giving U.S. supporters a tax-deductible way to contribute to the mission.