LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — As the owner of Lake County’s Chocolate Dream, Yaliz Opio is living her best life.

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Opio’s businesses started in her Eustis-area kitchen, making chocolate-covered strawberries during the 2020 pandemic. She still works out of the kitchen.

She has set up festivals and makes custom orders almost every day for people who want a taste of home.

READ: Hispanic Heritage Month: Meet the Hispanic Trailblazers in our Community

The Small Business Administration reports there are close to 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses across the country, and Hispanic people own nearly 25% of new businesses.

Together, they have a multi billion-dollar impact on the U.S. economy every year.

See Opio’s full story in the video above.

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WATCH: Hispanic Heritage Month: Breaking Barriers Join us as we look at the struggles and successes within Central Florida’s Hispanic community. (WFTV)

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