LEXINGTON, Ky. — Politicians from the Republican Party gathered in Lexington to discuss small minority business policies and the impact they are having around Kentucky. 

Constanza Ishii, owner of Feel Good Nutrition in Lexington, said being a minority business owner in Kentucky hasn’t always been easy. 

“I reached out to different providers and banks and different companies like I wasn't able to get a loan because being just new to the country, my citizenship just last year, I had a very low credit history,” Ishii said.

Being born in Chile, and moving to the United States around 8 years ago, she says it took support from friends and family and savings for nearly a year to finally open her doors. 

“We're just a small family we don't have anybody else so it was like a very scary venture for me,” Ishii said.

Ishii was just one of the many business owners that attended a round table event discussing the challenges in Kentucky for minority owners. 

“It was good to know that it's not just me and I got to network with so many other business owners from the Black community. And we're all a minority, we're trying to make it happen,” Ishii said.

Leaders discussed ways that lawmakers could help alleviate some of those issues, such as financial support programs and finding ways to have greater representation from minorities in decision-making positions. 

“It was really nice to hear about their vision and how they could potentially help or the things that they have thought of,” Ishii said.

Ideas and visions Ishii says are needed more than ever, considering the latest impacts from the pandemic and supply shortages. 

“You might think I'm Latina, or maybe I'm Black, I'm not gonna have a chance. But as long as your heart is right and what you want to give to people is something that people need, then just do it," Ishii said

Grateful for this opportunity to own her business in America, Ishii says events like these give her hope for the future of minority businesses in Kentucky. 

The round table was part of Juneteenth celebrations in Lexington, giving minority businesses an opportunity to network with the politicians and voice their concerns.