2022 Arkansas Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year: Latrobe, LLC

Owner Latanyua Robinson

Latanyua Robinson, President & CEO of Latrobe, LLC states that her life’s motto is “To whom much is given, much is required.” She surmises that if you educate a woman, you educate a community, and this viewpoint provides a clear focus for her business aspirations: economic empowerment.

Latrobe, LLC was founded by the Stuttgart, AR native in 2010, and is a consulting firm focused on the career, commercial, and community readiness for individuals, businesses, and institutions. Founded in 2010, the original business model focused on assisting local manufacturers and fabricators to compete globally by using existing machining capacity more effectively and efficiently to improve operating costs or to re-tool for manufacturing similar products used in different industries. In 2019, the business evolved into a consulting firm that operates transactional businesses to provide livable wage job opportunities.

Developing relationships and gaining trust within the local community was an initial challenge for Latanyua. To emphasize the value of the services provided by Latrobe, LLC, she contracted with Marion High School which culminated in a community job fair to allow students to explore career options in high demand fields. This strategic move helped the business secure subsequent contracts and grow their reputation.

The resiliency and strength of her ambitions was highlighted when the coronavirus pandemic reached its peak. Latanyua states, “Covid was a blessing in disguise. Not only did our business grow, but we used the lessons learned for building case studies of best practices for developing essential skills for the career readiness portfolio of services.”

In 2020, Latrobe, LLC was awarded a $216k PPP loan to help sustain operations during the pandemic. Since that time, the organization has taken advantage of the free assistance provided by two SBA Resource Partners: Arkansas Small Business & Technology Development Center and Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center. She now employs between 70-80 employees, boasts multiple success stories, and is a strong advocate for growth within Crittenden County.

The resources provided by the SBA have been instrumental in supporting the past, current, and future opportunities that await Latrobe, LLC.

This article does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the SBA of any opinions, products, or services of any private individual or entity.