Twenty Immigrant Women Graduate from Mexicana Emprende Program in Los Angeles
A group of twenty immigrant women recently graduated from the Mexicana Emprende program in its fifth edition at the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles.
“This program helps women achieve economic independence. Throughout the workshops and classes, you see their personal growth and the confidence they gain from knowing that there is a community supporting them,” said Simone Lanzagorta, coordinator of the financial advisory window at the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles.
The Mexicana Emprende initiative is promoted by the Mexican government through the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME) and focuses on economic development and entrepreneurship.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
Mexicana Emprende was created with the goal of training Mexican migrant women in business and entrepreneurship, enabling them to develop and establish their own businesses to promote financial autonomy.
The program lasts four months and is delivered through the Dream Builder platform of Arizona State University, according to Lanzagorta. Additionally, they offer workshops led by business coaches who are partners of the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles.
“This is the fifth edition we’ve held at the Consulate of Mexico in Los Angeles. We had 80 applicants, accepted 24, and 20 graduated,” Lanzagorta explained.
A Central Role
Carlos González Gutiérrez, the Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles, emphasized that Mexicana Emprende plays a central role because the women who participate often wear many hats.
“They are mothers, daughters, entrepreneurs, and what we seek is to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship among Mexican immigrants.”
He noted that through the five courses already offered at the Consulate of Mexico in Los Angeles, from which 87 entrepreneurial women have graduated, participants have gained the tools to refine their skills and establish contacts that can help them create a network of support.
“That’s the role of the consulate, to connect communities, and we hope that all these graduates will continue to see and connect with each other.”
The Three Best Business Plans
Lanzagorta mentioned that the winners of the top three business plans were awarded an incentive of $1,200 each, provided by the Inclusive Credit Union.
The business recognized for having the greatest impact on the community was Tiliche Artesanías by Narsisa López. The award for a business that already existed but needed a boost to gain recognition went to Tapicería Alatorre by Karen Alatorre. The prize for the business that started from scratch was won by Juliana “Juls” Meléndez with Jojmah, specializing in graphic design and marketing.
Empowering Latina Entrepreneurs
Juliana “Juls” Meléndez, the creator of Jojmah Studio, shared that her budding business focuses on graphic design and professional photography.
“It’s a creative studio serving Latina entrepreneurs in Canada, the United States, and Mexico,” said Juls, who manages all the work herself. “This business was born from a passion for visual art and service, with the purpose of empowering Latina entrepreneurs to achieve financial independence.”
Juls, who graduated with a degree in theology and a master’s in human rights, has been running Jojmah Studio for a year. During this time, the growth has been organic as she started from scratch.
Participating in Mexicana Emprende, she explained, allowed her to connect with other women who, like her, are following their dreams to achieve financial independence. The program also helped her learn about licenses, permits, marketing, design, and overall business growth.
Karen Alatorre of Tapicería para Autos Alatorre mentioned that the $1,200 she received for being among the top three participants with the best business plans is seed money that will greatly help her. “Mexicana Emprende has been a great help, and since it was online, it gave me a lot of flexibility to participate and learn.”
In her case, Karen opened her upholstery business in the city of Hawthorne, Los Angeles County, without any prior knowledge of business or a plan. “I have learned how to create a business plan, a sales strategy, and understand my mission and objectives.”
A Positive Outlook
Narsisa López said that through Mexicana Emprende, she gained valuable information that helped her get the training needed to start her online business, Tiliche Artesanías. She also registered her business and is in the process of obtaining a license for her small enterprise.
“I work in house cleaning, but having my own business is something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Narsisa, originally from the Mixtec region of Oaxaca. Tiliche Artesanías will focus on selling hand-woven blouses and huipiles, beaded embroidery, crafts, and handmade jewelry.
“I am proud and very positive that my business plan was among the top three out of the 15 participants. The $1,200 I won will be invested in my business, so I feel very optimistic.”