Prolific businesswoman Dr. Betty Uribe,
Executive Director of California Bank & Trust, says
a supportive network, or familia, whose business
values are aligned with the entrepreneurs, and
the pursuit of a business type in which the
entrepreneur is suited to excel, is a recipe for
success.
“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,” she says. “Study the competition
and focus on what ‘you’re best in class at as an
entrepreneur.’ I see a lot of entrepreneurs trying to
be all things to all people, but focus on what your
genius is and become the very best in that area.”
In addition to helping Latina entrepreneurs get
financial backing, California Bank & Trust has also
helped businesspeople in new ways by going
beyond the call of duty. For example, when a former
employee ventured off to start her own consulting
business, Dr. Uribe was able to connect her to
entrepreneurial organizations that quickly became
her support system. In another case, a customer
and famous author, was connected to lawyers
when she needed them.
Dr. Uribe is confident that the economic power
of Latina entrepreneurs in LA will only strengthen
as more of them enter the next phase of their
business where they’re able to recruit and retain
employees, helping create jobs and boost the local
economy.
Azucena Maldonado, Founder, The Latina
Golfers Association.
Even a few years ago, seeing Latinas open
business in traditionally male-dominated industries
like construction, manufacturing and transportation
was unusual, but that is changing.
“Our unemployment rate is at an all-time low
and I firmly believe Latina entrepreneurs have a lot
to do with that,” Dr. Uribe says.
Fellow Latina entrepreneur Azucena
Maldonado wasn’t raised around golf but when she
attended a charity golf tournament she realized
how closely the game and business are
intertwined. She formed The Latina Golfers
Association to empower career women by
teaching them to use golf as a tool for professional
and personal development.
“I realized there was a
real need to connect to
women and Latinas,
in particular, to a game that
can open doors for us in the
business world.”
— Azucena Maldonado.
“I realized there was a real need to connect
to women and Latinas, in particular, to a game that
can open doors for us in the business world,”
Maldonado says.
Today, she is happy to report her Association
has disrupted this ‘boy’s club’ by helping Latinas
feel comfortable and confident around the
influential and powerful white men who traditionally
play golf.
“If your mission is bigger than yourself and
you know you’re impacting other people and
community at large, and you hold on to your
passion and mission, and show up every day and
put that intention out there, people respond,”
Maldonado says.
The Women Business Enterprise
Council-West manages the third-party Women
Business Enterprise (WBE) certification and offers
educational opportunities and programs to
businesswomen. WBEC-West Program Manager
Maria Boykin recommends Latina entrepreneurs
attend the 16th Annual WBEC-West Strategic
Procurement Conference held in Tucson, Arizona,
where they can meet with supplier diversity
professionals from American Honda Motor, Co,
PayPal, AT&T, Warner Brothers and others.
“I challenge a woman business-owner to
step outside of their comfort zone and step out
of their network, connect, and build great
relationships not only at this conference, but
others,” Boykin shares. LS
Want to comment or have any questions
on this article?
Email us at info@latinastyle.com
“I challenge a woman
business-owner to step
outside of their comfort
zone and step out of their
network, connect, and
build great relationships
not only at this conference,
but others.”
WBEC-West Program Manager Maria — Maria Boykin.
Boykin.
20 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle Vol. 25, No. 4, 2019
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