Latina Entrepreneurs
in Arizona
By Christine Bolaños
During the Great Recession, which lasted from the late 2000s
to early 2010s, businesses in Arizona, including those owned
by Latinos, grew by 2 percent. The 2017 DATOS: The State of
Arizona’s Hispanic Market published by the Arizona Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce states: “The evidence suggests that in the
face of higher-than-average job layoffs among Hispanics our state’s
Hispanic entrepreneurs and especially Latina entrepreneurs,
decided that despite the economic recession (or perhaps because
of it) the time was right to start a business.”
who serves as interim president at the
Tucson Hispanic Chamber and Southern
Arizona Affiliates.
“As Latinas, our dedication to family and
self-improvement is frequently top of mind
in a pursuit of best practices towards our
best business selves,” she adds.
The Chamber emphasizes small business
growth by offering resources and programs
in both formal and informal settings. Some
of these include regular gatherings over
coffee, the Women’s Center of Excellence
initiative, which is augmented with other
programs in the region such as YWCA’s
Women’s Business Center, the SBA’s local
Small Business Development Centers, and
other tailored programs; and, the International
Welcome Center initiative, through which the
Chamber brings entrepreneurs from the
neighboring Mexico State of Sonora.
There is also support for young Latinas
through the Young Entrepreneurs Academy
Lydia A. Aranda
Interim President
Tucson Hispanic Chamber.
That tenacity of Latina entrepreneurs to
take control of their own financial future
has not diminished post-Great Recession.
Experts say they see Latinas opening
businesses in various industries, ranging
from food and retail to technology and media.
“Aspects and approaches I believe are
key to the new normal in growth for Latinas
is regionalization and expanding external
partner alliances beyond one’s comfort zone
—- be that geographically, demographically
or ideologically,” says Lydia A. Aranda,
and a community intern exchange program
with other organizations such as Chicanos
Para La Causa.
Erica Cardenas
Founder and co-owner of inspireHER.
14 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle Vol. 24, No. 5, 2018
/www.latinastyle.com
