New London ― The front house of CJ Peruvian Bar and Restaurant in New London was packed by 7 p.m. as the sun went down Wednesday.

The New London restaurant hosted a cocktail and food-tasting business networking event, highlighting New London’s vibrant Latino cuisine and professional community.

Among the 30 guests were Mayor Michael Passero and state Rep. Anthony Nolan, D-New London.

“It's strong and healthy, actually,” said Passero, referring to New London’s Latino small business community. “A large portion of our small business community are Hispanic-run businesses, which is fantastic.”

As conversation and business cards were exchanged, Connecticut College Latin rock band Brisa Azul strummed infectiously catchy riffs throughout the night.

Carol Balbuena was shuffling between tables, making sure guests were mingling with one another. Balbuena, 27, is a Latina insurance broker who founded BR Insurance Group, as well as the social networking group BR The Network. The group’s goal is to foster social interaction among both aspiring and established business owners.

Balbuena has an affable and warm cadence that allows her to click instantly with people. Behind her smile is a story of perseverance.

Growing up in Peru, Balbuena moved to New London at 15 years old.

At 18, she was kicked out of her home and relied on community partners like the Boys and Girls Club to support her, while she was attending Three Rivers Community College.

“The Boys and Girls Club is my favorite nonprofit because when I was homeless, they helped me out ― no questions asked,” Balbuena said. “I told them that once I got it together, I'll be able to come back and give back.”

And she did. In August, BR The Network, along with eight partners, including the Salvation Army and Boys and Girls Club, gave away more than 700 backpacks and provided free haircuts and food to students returning to school.

“New London couldn't survive without those kinds of opportunities, because there are so many families that sometimes are in desperate need,” Nolan said.

Balbuena maintains a close relationship with young New London Latino residents, specifically those who are aspiring artists. The future of New London’s creative culture, in her eyes, is in the hands of the youth and her goal is to provide them opportunities to express themselves.

“We have to open up those opportunities. They shouldn’t think just because they didn't go to college, their entire life (goes) to the garbage,” she said. “Guess what? Maybe you can learn graphic design, maybe you can be a photographer, videographer or maybe you can be an artist.”

Only recently did Balbuena truly feel proud of everything she’d accomplished. It was while leaving her office, she appreciated the success she’d built for herself and the journey it took to get there.

“There was a point when I was 18 that I didn't even know where I was going to sleep,” she said. “I was that girl with the black garbage bag that a lot of people thought was a foster kid. I would sleep on my friends’ sofas and futons. They would give me rides everywhere. Every single person that has crossed my life, they've always been able to help me out throughout everything.”

“To have a young entrepreneurial, spirited woman investing in our community, investing her time, building her reputation here ― that's, great,” Passero said of Balbuena. “That's the future leadership pool that we'll be drawing from.”

t.wright@theday.com