On a mission to create a more equitable world for entrepreneurs.
Our Mission
To create an equitable landscape for all entrepreneurs.
Our work is grounded in justice, inclusivity, and the belief in the potential of every entrepreneur, especially those from underserved communities.
Through strategic consulting, we aim to help the organizations and businesses we work with achieve success and make a lasting impact on their communities.
Our Team
A combined 30 years of championing small businesses.
Prospera Strategies is led by two colleagues, Marco and Kara, who share the same vision for a world where all business owners—regardless of race or gender—can thrive. Marco and Kara—who are both bilingual in Spanish and English—have a proven track record in leading small businesses and their support organizations to lasting impact and success.
Marco Perez • Partner
Marco Pérez is a friend and champion of small businesses. A seasoned entrepreneur and operational leader, he has led and coached hundreds of business who strive for long-term sustainable success and economic prosperity.
In addition to being the facilitator for Interise’s Next Level course, Marco is a facilitator for NBIC's Groundwork course and LAUNCH Chattanooga's startup classes. He co-founded the Capital Impact Pilot Fund, was certified through Kiva to bring access to crowdfunding 0% interest loans, and most recently has worked alongside business to use Wefunder as a platform to help Chattanooga's minority and women owned businesses have access to patient and non-extractive capital. He has owned multiple businesses of his own, built businesses for investors, and served as operations and finance manager and consultant to many other companies. He is a community advocate previously serving on the Board's of Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, and La Paz Chattanooga. In 2020, he was elected on the Hamilton County School Board. Marco has an MBA from Thunderbird's School of Global Management as well as ITESM in Monterrey, Mexico, an MA in Ministry Leadership from Crown College, and an undergraduate degree from Columbia International University.
Kara Cotto • Partner
Kara Cotto is a dedicated leader with a passion for helping individuals and businesses achieve their goals while ensuring fairness and excellence in every aspect of business practice. Born and raised in Peru, Kara spent 18 years immersed in a culture that values community and collaboration. She later moved to the United States to pursue a degree in Community Development at Covenant College, where her commitment to fostering meaningful change and sustainable growth took root.
With extensive expertise in grant writing and management, Kara has successfully secured over $4 million in funding for local non-profits, enabling these organizations to expand their reach and deepen their impact. She has also written entrepreneurship curricula for youth and adult audiences, led strategic planning processes, taught business classes, and developed robust survey and data collection systems to drive informed decision-making.
Kara’s dedication to excellence is matched by her personal tenacity. As an Ironman finisher, she brings the same discipline, endurance, and commitment to her professional endeavors as she does to athletic challenges. She thrives on helping others surpass their own expectations, whether in business or personal development.
Outside of work, Kara enjoys being outdoors, drawing inspiration from nature, and embracing opportunities for adventure. Her multifaceted background, combining a rich multicultural upbringing with professional expertise, positions her as a trusted advocate for innovation, equity, and growth.
Our Foundation
We strive for real outcomes.
We always start with the question, “How do we help entrepreneurs create a sustainable venture?” and work backwards from there to help create solutions with lasting impact.
We know the fight.
Equity means equal opportunity, something that is not accessible to every entrepreneur—from funding to social capital. We believe in the importance of creating pathways to guide entrepreneurs through these waters.
We take the word partner seriously.
Whether with organizations or small businesses, we work hand-in-hand with our clients to understand their unique strengths, challenges, and offerings, and create solutions that increase their capacity to succeed.