Latina Entrepreneurship
in Los Angeles at the Top of their Game
By Christine Bolaños
The Great Recession of the late 2000s
devastated people around the world by
leaving entire communities jobless, and
Americans were no exception. In Los Angeles,
where Latinas account for one in every four
residents, those uncertain times gave rise to a wave
of entrepreneurs largely led by Latinas. Today,
Latinas are opening businesses at a faster rate
than any other demographic. From boutique shops
to restaurants and public relations firms, Latinas
run businesses in virtually every industry and are
helping their families, communities and Los
Angeles’ economy prosper as a result.
“As women, we’re built to multi-task in
different settings and communities, and that
coupled with our determination and courage and
the desire to achieve our goals, makes us stronger
here in LA,” says Nury Gomez, Board Member of
the National Latina Business Women Association,
Los Angeles.
A report from Hispanas Organized for Political
Equality (HOPE) found that the disparity in earnings
among Latinas and Caucasian men in California
grew 5 percent from 2011 to 2015. Latinas earned
43 cents for every dollar a Caucasian man earned
overall, but in Greater Los Angeles, Latinas earned
only 37 cents on the dollar. However, Gomez states
that with access to capital, contracts and support,
the possibilities are limitless for entrepreneurial
Latinas.
The NLBWA-LA helps Latina entrepreneurs
become successful by offering resources and tools,
such as workshops, to help them get started with
their business and ensure they stay profitable.
Gomez shares the Association helps entrepreneurs
take accountability for their own success while
offering them a network of support so they know
they’re not alone.
“As women, we’re
built to multi-task in
different settings and
communities, and that
coupled with our
determination and courage
and the desire to achieve
our goals, makes us
stronger here in LA.”
— Nury Gomez.
Nury Gomez, Board Member, the
National Latina Business Women
Association, Los Angeles.
“Be open about
learning about the
different ways of getting
the capital you need.
Don’t just go to one
place, but be open and
learn to be studious
and really understand
your business from
the inside out.”
— Dr. Betty Uribe.
Dr. Betty Uribe, Executive Director,
California Bank & Trust.
18 LATINAStyle www.latinastyle.com Vol. 25, No. 4, 2019
/www.latinastyle.com
