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Women are a key part of the community and it is great to see them being community leaders
As Mother’s Day is around the corner, it is time for us to reflect on what we have experienced and learned. In the past days, we have gone to the streets in the United States and talked to multiple business and small business latino owners to learn more about what their needs are and the different challenges they face. Something kept happening as we were arriving at different businesses. We were amazed to find out that a lot of those businesses were run by women and mothers!
Women are “Supermom” Entrepreneurs
A lot of the time, moms find a way to own a business, run it and at the same time, raise their children. It is hard to believe and impressive at the same time how they manage to do all of that. They face the biggest challenges, they have to pay rent, pay their business bills, pay their house bills, stay up to date with the paperworks and legal complications that might come up.
Latino women often told us that they used the money they earn to give an opportunity to their children to study and pursue their dreams in the United States.
People like Maria Elena, Mercedes, Maria and Lucy are a true example of a “Supermom”, they are leaders and everyday, with their example, they show everyone how even with all the challenges they face, you can always thrive and find the light at the end of the tunnel. They fight hard everyday to pursue their dreams and to give new opportunities to their children and the whole Latino community as well.
A Bit of History of Women Owned Businesses
All of this does not come out of nowhere. These women have worked hard and still work hard everyday. A lot of them come from Mexico, others from El Salvador, but we also talked with people from many other Latino countries. They all struggled, faced legal challenges and had to find a way to open their businesses and run them. All of this has turned them into community leaders, people their community can trust and ask for advice.
Some of them now have a whole set of different businesses they personally run. Others have created an ecosystem where they organize and lead a community of small businesses that help each other and work to grow together. It is estimated that as of 2013, only one out of ten women-owned businesses belonged to a Latino woman. This has changed over the years and today, there are more than 2 million Latino-women owned businesses in the United States, according to multiple studies.
Supporting Women Entrepreneurs
As we reflect on the dedication and hard work of these “Supermom” entrepreneurs, it is important to consider how we can support them and their businesses. One way is by intentionally seeking out and participating in businesses owned by women and mothers. By doing so, we are not only helping and contributing to the local economy, but we also recognize the contributions of these women to our communities.
Another way of supporting these entrepreneurs is by advocating for different programs that address the unique challenges they face everyday. For example, access to affordable and free programs that provide training and resources for small business owners can help them navigate the complex legal and financial aspects of being an entrepreneur.
Mentorship is a powerful way to support “Supermom” entrepreneurs as well. By sharing knowledge and experience, established entrepreneurs and specially, experienced “Supermom” entrepreneurs can help new entrepreneurs avoid common mistakes and have an easier path to success. This can be done through formal mentorship programs, but also through word of mouth within the community they belong to. Someone succeeding in the community means that the community is growing and will be benefited as well.
Celebrating the Diversity of Women Owned Businesses
It is important to note that “Supermom” entrepreneurs come from diverse backgrounds and run different kinds of businesses. Even if they belong to Latino communities, they might have a different life story and experience to share with the community. As mentioned above in this article, while we spoke with many Latino women during the interviews, there are women from all kinds of backgrounds and countries who are balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship.
A lot of them run brick-and-mortar shops, varying from cosmetics, to food or even souvenirs that remind people of their country. This made us feel a certain vibe of familiarity with our countries, being a company where a lot of Latinos work. By celebrating the diversity of women-owned businesses, we can better understand the unique challenges and opportunities that exist within this community.
Encouraging the Next Generation of Women “Supermoms”
Finally, as Mother’s day is around the corner, we honor the dedication and hard work of “Supermom” entrepreneurs. But let’s also think about how we can encourage the next generation of women who pursue their dreams and that will become entrepreneurs and community leaders. At Crediverso we believe that thinking and acting disruptively will help the society to challenge the societal norms and biases that can hold women back.
When we empower women to become entrepreneurs and leaders, we create an equitable society for everyone. So let’s take a moment this Mother’s Day and appreciate the Maria Elenas, the Lucys, the Marias and every “Supermom” in our lives and communities, as we commit to support them and empower them in the months and years to come.
The Crediverso Team wishes you a Happy Mother’s Day!
