On her way toward becoming a
self-sustaining businesswoman, Dow
took advantage of traditional resources
such as the SCORE Association, which
helps match entrepreneurs with mentors
and provides business tools and free or
inexpensive workshops. She also
stayed on top of cutting edge technology
realizing that would help make her job
easier while remaining competitive.
She looks at her job like a small child
would see building a Lego tower --- not
for the money but to see how high it
can go.
Valery Belloso is Chief Strategy Officer
at Accion, a nonprofit microlending
organization that provides business
loans up to $75,000 and other support
services. In her role, Belloso plays a
key role in leading the organization’s
business development strategy.
Belloso believes the influence of
Latina entrepreneurs is inarguable
and may even exceed the pace of
businesses opened by their male
counterparts.
“Many times, lack of access to capital
is the barrier to generating more revenue
for these businesses,” Belloso shares.
“Having access to someone who is
willing to lend to you or invest in you to
take your business to the next level is
the greatest challenge.”
More financial backing allows
Latina entrepreneurs to evolve from
“solopreneurs” to business owners
capable of hiring employees which in
turn boosts the economy.
“People come here to launch technology
and innovation businesses with the
opportunity to solve some of the region’s
challenges and address some of the
market’s needs and demands,” she says.
Filling those needs gives rise to
greater economic impact of businesses
Tayde Aburto
President & CEO,
Hispanic Chamber of E-Commerce
and it’s where she wants more Latinas
to concentrate.
Latina entrepreneurs can take
advantage of the resources offered
via Belloso’s nonprofit which is a lending
organization with a transformational
rather than transactional approach.
“It’s a hands-on approach to not only
lend but to teach and to empower
through resources, information and
making connections to other tools,”
Belloso says.
Tayde Aburto, president and CEO of
San Diego-based Hispanic Chamber of
E-Commerce, believes the more integrated
Latina-owned businesses become with
technology the more successful they are.
“We have built a platform that allows
them to have access toward digital
channels like blogs or business listings,”
Aburto shares. “We are a marketing
ally for our members and we use our
social media profiles to highlight profiles
and services our members offer.”
That’s the kind of marketing Latinaowned
businesses need to take
advantage of to increase their exposure.
One of his dreams is to see all
Hispanic-owned businesses in the
U.S. with websites.
“If we can get Latinos more involved
with all these tools that are available
and cost-effective we’re going to start
seeing an increase of wealth in the
Latino community that goes way beyond
social media,” Aburto says.
Christella Sanchez, stakeholder liaison
for the Internal Revenue Service, says
Latina entrepreneurs are also making
their mark in San Diego by staying active,
enterprising, displaying professionalism
and asserting themselves in all facets
of society.
“They are making a big impact and are
helping to drive our economy,” she says.
Christella Sanchez
Stakeholder Liaison,
IRS
The IRS has a Spanish section of its
website dedicated to non-English
speaking entrepreneurs. There are
resources for all types of businesses
and a tax center where small business
owners can get help to start a new
business, decide on a business structure,
attend business workshops and more.
Sanchez recommends all entrepreneurs
subscribe to e-News and check out free
webinars for small business owners.
LS
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