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Latina entrepreneur brings best crafts of Puerto Rico to fair trade designs

November 23, 2016/0 Comments/in Balance, Featured, Health, Lifestyle, Our LIBizus /by Susana G Baumann

If you have visited Puerto Rico, you know that Old San Juan is a “Must See” in the island scenery. This old historic district offers the best crafts of Puerto Rico combined with beautiful views, restaurants, art, museums, history, sculptures, music, dance, bars and nightclubs.

And if you haven’t, then prepare yourself for a treat. You will be walking around an old city in the tropics – it is very hot and usually humid. You must wear sun screen and a hat, and bring a bottle of cold water with you. You may even consider carrying a sombrilla for shade. And for all of it, just consider buying a Concalma tote bag right there, in the heart of Old San Juan.

For the last few years, news from Puerto Rico has been related to high unemployment, corruption and government mismanagement. However, in the midst of all the negativity coming from the news, the people of Puerto Rico continue to be its bright spot.

Case in point is Matilsha Marxuach, a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, who has made a name for herself. With a background in Design and Fashion, Matilsha has been on a dual mission- promoting her creations while generating employment for others.

Matilsha Marxuach Concalma best crafts of Puerto Rico

Matilsha Marxuach Concalma Founder and Designer

Matilsha knew the moment she finished her schooling that she would one day open her own business. She had become obsessed with the idea of recycling and eco-preservation, a new push in the Enchanted Island to preserve its scenic views and natural environmental beauty.

She became aware that women were spending more on quality and not quantity when choosing certain accessories or pieces of clothing. Her initial plans were to open up a boutique with second hand items but she also knew that the best crafts of Puerto Rico came from its rich source of labor and skilled artisans.

Blessed with a strong work ethics, she worked hard and opened her first store in Puerto Rico ten years ago but business was difficult in the first few years because the country was mired in a deep recession. Locals were only buying things they needed. Luxury was a forgotten item for many Puerto Ricans.

Matlisha’s initial venture into the world of business was a collaborative effort with a women’s co-op, which supplied labor for a third party to make hand-made designer bags, totes and clutches. When the third party textile business went bankrupt, the workers started to work for her.

She opened her store Concalma –with calm/at ease– in 2006 and has never looked back. Inspired by local culture and concepts of friendliness and functionality, she created a product that is relatively cheap, elegant and also helps build local communities.

With the use of social media and the quality of her products, her business began to pick up. Soon she saw tourists venture over to her shop instead of the ritzy malls. She could hardly keep up with production, and the rest is now history. She recently was one of eight finalists of the AccessLatina Business Accelerator program.

Concalma “with calm / at ease” brick and mortar store

Concalma store best crafts of Puerto Rico

Concalma store is one of the attractions in Old San Juan

Located away from the posh hotels selling purses and bags at exorbitant prices, Matilsha’s Concalma store has bags that can match any budget. Plus, her bags are environmentally friendly and look immaculate. The artistic bags are made of cotton with nylon liners and all the fabric is exclusively acquired from Puerto Rico suppliers.

The majority of her messenger bags are not only functional but elegant. They come with fine hand-made details and a mixture of fabrics. Prices vary from $35-$120.

In addition to offering their products, Concalma’s mission is to raise awareness about the importance of fair trading partnership with local producers and suppliers of the best crafts of Puerto Rico, based on transparency and respect that sustains equity in international trade.

While most Puerto Rican entrepreneurs have set up their businesses for the international markets, Matilsha is one of the few pioneers who believe in the term “going local.” The importance of local design and manufacturing as well as promoting sustainable practices makes Concalma a quality and creative design store with products that are the result of sustainable, social and responsible actions.

Doing business Concalma

Totebags Concalma best crafts of Puerto Rico

Totebags Concalma one of best crafts of Puerto Rico

Over the past few years, Matilsha has continued to produce a line of product that matches the store’s Spanish name “Concalma,” meaning to “approach everything with a sense of calm.”

Concalma serves as a marketplace for its own product line of designer tote bags and also distributes other best crafts of Puerto Rico from local designers or brands.

She fervently encourages local consumption and production, which has also created employment in this city with massive layoffs. While her major business is selling hand-made bags, you can also pick up some high quality exotic Puerto Rican coffee in her shop.

Matilsha still maintains her down to earth personality and her motto is to always please the client. She is well aware of her destiny and is embracing it with delight. Nothing makes her happier than to see people carrying her bags and to see her artisans well rewarded.

She has received recognition for her work and her creations as the 2014 winner of the “Microentrepreneur of the Year” by the Citi Foundation and the Puerto Rico Community Foundation; and the 2009 finalist of Guayacán, Inc.– EnterPRize Business Plan Competition.

Conscious buyer or conscious shopping

Concalma store in Old San Juan sells fair trade designs

Concalma designs and sells its products with the life cycle of the product in mind. They have set up different ways to encourage conscious shopping at its brick and mortar shop in Viejo San Juan –it doesn’t matter where buyers had acquired their product.

If you have been using your Concalma bag for a while and you are ready to give it up, you can visit the store and trade it in for a new one with up to a 15 percent discount, or you can do a straight exchange for a used one available at the store. Finally, feel free to buy used bags in store at a discounted price.

“We are happy to share with our customers the culture of conscious shopping, fair trade and solidarity in the economy,” Matlisha said.

Latina entrepreneur converts chocolate cravings into plant cloning business

May 6, 2016/0 Comments/in Featured, Our LIBizus, Tech talk /by Susana G Baumann

Puerto Rico is most well known for its famous beaches, all year round good weather and great food but one industry is slowly gaining national attention, plant cloning. And one smart entrepreneur, Decenia Vega Rodriguez, is a fast rising star in this area of innovation and one of eight finalists at AccessLatina accelerator program.

Decenia Vega Rodriguez founder and owner of Semila LLC

Her company Semila LLC has developed copies of cocoa and other agricultural products that are resistant to pests and have high yields of reproduction. In just a few years, Semila LLC has become a promising star in the world of agriculture and business in Puerto Rico and abroad.

Chocolate cravings create a booming industry

Surveys have shown that chocolate cravings run high among American women. Comfort foods like chocolate can supply nutrients that keep a woman’s hormonal system functioning properly and brain chemicals in balance, according a study conducted by Paul Rozin, Eleanor Levine and Caryn Stoess at the Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania.

A growing industry at expected over $98 billion for 2016, cocoa plants are native of the Amazon basin and other tropical areas of South and Central America, the wild varieties of cocoa tree still grow in the forests. Now, cocoa growing area has extended to the Caribbean and beyond.

Most of the world’s cocoa is grown in a narrow belt 10 degrees either side of the Equator because cocoa trees grow well in humid tropical climates with regular rains and a short dry season.

“I realized that cocoa was a product that had a growing demand and was only harvested in tropical or subtropical countries. So I presented the idea of cloning cocoa plants to my husband thinking he was going to say it was very risky. To my surprise, he told me it was an excellent possibility and that I should quit my job to fully devote my time to the development of this initiative. A bit scared, I did and decided to start learning all about this crop. Every day the passion was bigger and today I am very happy to have started this adventure,” Decenia told LIBizus.

Plant cloning a growing agricultural initiative with global perspective

Cocoa plants cloning

Luckily for her initiative, at that time the Red Empresarial de Innovación (REDI) of Puerto Rico was also seeking entrepreneurs who would be interested in offering innovative and technology-related projects to participate in its business incubation program. The program would also help with the startup costs and pay for the basic amenities to run a business. And Decenia, with her go-getter attitude and confidence, was one of the first few people to have benefited from this program.

Today Semila is harvesting cocoa directed to the manufacture of fine chocolates and sold in boutique markets. Her client portfolio is composed of high income professionals, farmers, public and private institutions related to the agricultural industry. Currently she is developing a plant cloning facility with a capacity of 30,000 units in different growing stages. She has plans to export Puerto Rican cocoa to chocolatiers who work with gourmet delicacies in Europe.

Decenia faces obstacles as a woman entrepreneur

Cocoa seeds from Semila LLC

Like agriculture almost everywhere, the industry is dominated by men and Decenia faced many obstacles because she was a young female entrepreneur. In fact, she had to prove many businessmen that she knew what she was getting into and was knowledgeable about her field of expertise. Once men around her became aware of her capabilities, her business started to improve and opportunities arose. Today obstacles are related to acquiring technical knowledge and constantly trying to be innovative.

A sexist remark that became a sign of encouragement

Decenia tells the story that has stayed with her as a sign of encouragement for her work. A few years ago while presenting Semila plant cloning she was dressed with high heels and was wearing makeup. She received many questions at the end of her presentation but one man asked her how she worked the land and yet managed to look so beautiful.

“This was the only question I was unable to answer but towards the end of the presentation I showed a photo in which I was working on the land. He then held out his hand and said, “I admire you for what you have accomplished.” To Decenia these were the words that provided her with more motivation that ever.

Latinas who are thinking of starting their own business

Decenia Vega working at her plant cloning farm in Puerto Rico

According to Decenia, women have the potential to achieve their dreams. They need to plan, acquire the knowledge about the specific industry they wish to enter and learn the process. She adds, “Expect success and failure, be realistic and do not expect overnight miracles. Do it step by step, BUT DO IT.”

Decenia states, “The virtues of being a Latina entrepreneur were being able to multitask, be effective, have charisma and sense of perseverance, and love for our roots and cultures.”

She does remember that the beginning was not easy as she was all alone. Except for her husband, she did not have much external support. However, she was determined to succeed and knowing that failure was not an option, she persisted.

She goes on to say, “Charisma has helped me present what we do in Semila and the love to my roots has given me strength to contribute to my country, innovate in an industry with great potential like agriculture and improve the economical development of the island.”

Today Decenia can be found working at her company in Puerto Rico and is still as thirsty for success as ever. When not working, she loves to be outdoors, reading and spending time with her family.

Latina entrepreneur makes hair extensions’ glamour accessible to all

April 15, 2016/0 Comments/in Featured, Image, Our LIBizus, Style at work /by Susana G Baumann

Slowly and surely a new class of diverse and eclectic Latina-owned businesses is cropping up, each with varied stories of success. Today Latina entrepreneurs’ ventures can be found in an array of markets ranging from beauty products, clothing, health, and even locally grown food.

Lux Beauty Club hair extensions

In the past decade, several Latina business women have inspired others to follow their path- and one of them is powerhouse, Victoria Flores. Born and raised in Mexico, Victoria spent a good deal of her youth in Texas, where she went to college and earned her degrees in political science and masters of business administration. Being used to hard work, she set out to achieve her American dream.

From making money for others to making dreams come true

Victoria Flores, co-founder Lux Beauty Club

Because of her education in finance, Victoria’s first job was as a regional manager with Themis Capital; she was then recruited as an associate by Morgan Stanley and then became President at Adriana Carador Designs. After a 5 year stint, she became a manager at Katz Capital.

Despite all the financial success working for others, Victoria somehow had bigger aspirations; she wanted to do more in life than just being an executive finance officer. Her eureka moment came when watching TV- she realized she would venture into the hair extension business.

The hair extension business a hard industry to tackle

The hair extension business in this country is chaotic, prohibitively expensive and with a growth potential of almost $500 billion. Almost 70 percent of the customers are African-American women but less than one percent of them own a hair extension shop. Worse, Latino females were seemingly shut out both as customers and owners.

There are hundreds of beauty shops all over the country that target African-American women. Getting a hair extension is difficult because most of these beauty shops offer no guarantee and the extensions often vary in quality. Even a mere try out costs money and the client has to pay a deposit which is often never refunded if there is an issue with the extension.

Because of her own prior experience with hair extensions, Victoria now saw a niche for women of all colors.

What if we start a hair extensions business?

Color pop hair extensions

Wanting her own business, in 2012 Victoria became a partner with Leslie Wilson and launched Lux Beauty Club to create a one-stop shopping community where customers could buy hair and beauty products on a regular basis.

Wilson and Flores hit on the subscription box idea, and Lux Beauty Club was born.

Today, Victoria Flores offers individual hair extensions to people with all type of budgets. This business caters to luxury hair extensions which are delivered to the door. Ramona Singer has partnered with Lux Beauty Club as their lead Brand Ambassador.

“What is different about our hair extension business is that it offers a range of hair extensions that are affordable and personalized. There are no exorbitant fees or deposits,” Victoria said to LIBizus.

Within a few months, her business skyrocketed. Today Victoria Flores is a widely sought spokesperson for many national hair and salon chains. Now she is living her American dream.

Lux Beauty Club, the booming hair extensions business

Over the past 5 years, the Lux Beauty Club has been booming. Victoria has created a small network of customers and followers and her clients range from housewives to celebs and corporate women who simply want to look gorgeous with their hair. But most importantly, she bypassed many of the pitfalls that happen to new start ups by building a successful business. She was recently selected as one of 8 finalists at the AccessLatina accelerator program.

A complete line of products include all textures and colors hair extensions

Paying forward a Latina legacy

Victoria Flores has never forgotten her roots and she frequently gives advice to the newer generation of Latino females who want to venture into business. As a thought leader, Victoria has also authored a book, “The Menhatten Project,” a “a fun, extremely sexy and laugh-out-loud funny page-turner, featuring whip-smart women and to-die-for men,” according to Alisa Valdez own review. The book reveals a Sex in the City Bridget Jones meeting Ugly Betty, piece based on experience while working as a single female in New York.

Beyond commercial businesses such as the Lux Beauty Club, most Latina entrepreneurs also have a very strong emphasis on positively uplifting local communities and inspiring others to make their dreams come true.

When not working at the business, Flores loves to support other non-charity non-profits, explore the many new culinary spots in Miami, learning about the latest in digital devices and spending time with her family. If you are lucky you may catch her at the beach in Miami or at her favorite restaurant in Chelsea.

Latina entrepreneur achieves American Dream growing healthy food

March 24, 2016/0 Comments/in Featured, Food, Health, Lifestyle, Our LIBizus /by Susana G Baumann

Cindy Cruz Agropek founder and CEO in Puerto Rico

Cindy Cruz Torres is the CEO of Agropek LLC, a small agricultural business dedicated to the cultivation, harvest, and sale of healthy food. Cindy, one of AccessLatina Accelerator finalists, has proven once again that hard work, perseverance and dedication can overcome any obstacle and bring success. However, the road to success for Cindy was anything but easy.

According to the Brookings Institution, nearly 13 percent of the US population is foreign born accounting for nearly 40 million individuals. Immigrants coming to the USA are allured by the American Dream, the belief that if they work hard and play by the rules, they can achieve success.

This belief universally resonates in many people like Cindy Cruz. Even though there is no guarantee that they will achieve success, Cindy stands at the top of the heap revealing that the American Dream is still alive and well.

So how did it all start?

According to Cruz, she was not a business-minded person and like many nationals from Puerto Rico, had little money working for someone else. However, the economic crisis in 2010 led to her being laid off.

“At the time I was pregnant with my first child. Living with my parents gave the time to ponder about my future,” she recalls, and soon the first seeds of a business venture evolved in her mother-in-law’s backyard.

She glanced over the landscape and thought that perhaps she should venture into the agriculture business. Locally, there was a serious shortage of quality foods; however, Cindy had no acumen in business, had never taken any economic classes and knew of no one in business.

“I did not even know what being an entrepreneur meant and had no idea how to start a business,” she shared with LIBizus.

Facing the challenges to achieve healthy food

Cindy with Agropek workers in beautiful Puerto Rico

Although she had attended the University of Puerto Rico in Ponce and obtained degrees in accounting and forensic psychology, Cindy faced a major obstacle, lack of capital investment.

Everyone she spoke to asked about prior experience in agriculture and her business plan, none of which she had.

But most importantly, her biggest challenge was lack of confidence, great insecurity and the fear of failing. “I did not have a lot of savings and it would destroy many lives if I lost everything in a foolish business venture,” she affirmed.

She did not know what the toll of a new business venture would have on her lifestyle and pregnancy. Would she be able to cope as a mother, wife, daughter and business woman all at the same time?

Preparing for the future takes time and investment

Cindy then spent the next few months reading about her potential future business in agriculture. She spoke to many people, read the local laws, invested in workshops and seminars. She spoke to other business people and her family.

“The conclusion was that if I did not try I would never know,” she recalls. She was keenly aware that the path to any business was fraught with difficulty because the economy was poor and unpredictable.

In 2010, she finally launched Agropek on a small scale offering non-processed foods. However, her competitive edge was that her products were distinguished by quality and freshness. Then in 2015 Agropek added new products as processed (value-added products).

Within a few months, her customers started to make positive comments about the high nutritional value and durability of the healthy food. Over the next few years, her business started to expand.

By 2015, she had enlisted several other Latino business women to help start other stores in Puerto Rico. Today, Agropek is a profitable business that has created jobs for Latinos and Americans as well.

Looking back at the past five years, Cindy points out that her success was largely due to her ability to function as a leader who was able to multitask.

“I knew that failure was not an option and had prepared well for the business, despite having no background in the corporate world,” she shares.

Reaping what you sow

Value-added products are natural with no preservatives

Today, she continually faces challenges but is not afraid to tackle them. “Success,” she says, “ also builds confidence.”

Even though she initially aimed her business at Latinos, the overwhelming popularity of her products has attracted people of all races and cultures. She strongly feels there is a need for more Latino women to enter the business world because there are opportunities for those who work hard.

“Latino women have always had the ‘work-hard’ spirit , one virtue which is difficult to find. For Latinas who want to venture into business, I encourage them to create good work ethics and develop strong social bonds. There will be disappointments and failures along the way, but the path for those who persist is marked with success,” Cindy said.

As to why Agropek has succeeded when there are so many other similar businesses, Cindy believes her foods are focused on “Healthy and Responsible Eating.”

What makes a good entrepreneur? “A successful entrepreneur should have the following qualities: passion, vision and perseverance. My favorite quote, which she abides by in daily life is, ‘Make a habit of helping others, or at least to do no harm’,” she shared.

As our politicians continue to debate the economic benefits of Hispanic immigrants, they should constantly be reminded that many profitable American companies were developed by individuals born outside continental USA such as Cindy.

Foreign born individuals are more likely to start a business than someone born in the USA. Businesses like one that Cindy Cruz operates also employ many Americans. Her success epitomizes that even today, one can achieve the American Dream.

AccessLatina and LatinasinBusiness.us announce media strategic partnership

February 15, 2016/2 Comments/in Accelerators, Access to capital, Featured, Money /by Susana G Baumann

A strategic media partnership to help promote and expand their reach among Latina business owners was announced by AccessLatina, the first non-profit organization pioneering entrepreneurial growth for Latinas in STEAM, social innovation, or the agricultural industry, and LatinasinBusiness.com. a digital platform advocating for the economic empowerment of Latinas in business and the workplace.

Members of the AccessLatina accelerator

Recently, AccessLatina announced its round of finalists for the first-ever multi-market accelerator program developed to reach one of America’s fastest growing populations—Latinas—in STEAM, social innovation and agriculture. The finalists, Latina business owners from New York, Washington DC, Florida and Puerto Rico, are competing for the opportunity to receive more than $100,000 in capital and resources to expand their businesses.

“We are excited to add LatinasinBusiness.us to our strong group of collaborators in the private and public sector to provide resources to high-growth Latina entrepreneurs,” said Lucienne Gigante, co-founder of AccessLatina. “Our finalists will benefit from the exposure as they continue to grow their businesses and create new alliances,” added co-founder Maria Michelle Colón.

Both organizations have Latina entrepreneurs and innovators as their core target group, to help them promote, expand and grow their businesses.

Founded by two female entrepreneurs, Lucienne Gigante and Marta Michelle Colón, AccessLatina aims to provide capital injection and resource investment through a yearly competition to women-owned businesses focused on STEAM, social innovation, or the agricultural industry (including ag-farm and ag-tech). Potential candidates need to be doing business for at least three years and show high-growth potential.

Susana Baumann editor-in-chief LIBizus

LatinasinBusiness.us was founded by Susana G. Baumann as an initiative of her company LCSWorldwide, a multicultural marketing communications consulting firm in business for over 20 years. What she calls her “work of love” is a digital space for Latinas who want to share their concerns, expertise, strategies and achievements, promote their products or services, attract customers, learn about social media, seek business advice, be a “madrina,” become a minority vendor or find business to business trade opportunities.

“This media strategic partnership seemed natural as we complete each other’s vision by providing access to capital and knowledge, networking contacts and the opportunity to promote their businesses locally and nationally through social media. These are the toughest tasks for busy Latinas who are running their businesses with small budgets and limited resources,” said Susana G. Baumann, LatinasinBusiness.us Editor-in-Chief.

The media strategic partnership will include covering AccessLatina events, announcements and activities, and promoting Latina business owners who participate in their annual competition through LatinasinBusiness.us platform and its social media channels.

Since inception, Baumann’s initiative has received the attention and support of Latino and Latina leaders around the country becoming a media strategic partner with the New America Alliance (NAA) American Latina Leadership Caucus, the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the MCRCC Hispanic Business Council, and the Hispanic Chamber of E-Commerce. Baumann is also a member of the USHCC Foundation “At the Table” Women in Business and Leadership initiative.

Please visit and follow LatinasinBusiness.us , @LIBizus #WeAreLIBizus and Facebook.

AccessLatina is a non-for profit organization 501(c)(3) pioneering entrepreneurial growth for Latinas in diverse sectors through an accelerator and mentorship program. To be part of the #ACCESSLATINA experience, please use #FUNDLATINAS on social media or visit www.accesslatina.org for more information on the program.

Follow on social media AccessLatina on Facebook and @AccessLatina on Twitter.

AccessLatinas finalist with co-founders Lucienne Gigante and Marta Michelle

8 Latina business owners finalists for AccessLatina accelerator

February 3, 2016/6 Comments/in Accelerators, Entrepreneurship, Featured, Small business, Startups /by Susana G Baumann

AccessLatina finalists with co-founders Lucienne Gigante and Marta Michelle-Colon

AccessLatina announced the names of eight Latina business owners chosen as finalists for its accelerator competition. Together, they generated more than $1.2 million in revenue during the last two years.

AccessLatina, the first multi-market accelerator program designed to help Latina business owners in various sectors reach their entrepreneurial and economic potential, announced its last round of eight finalists competing for $25,000 grants.

Chosen by a panel of over 40 judges, the selected Latinas in business have already shown success with the help of technology and a positive impact in building opportunities for underserved community around their served geographical areas.

AccessLatina co-founder Lucienne Gigante told LIBizus that she is very excited about this opportunity to work with a diverse group of Latina business owners with high growth profiles. “We were impressed by the level of innovation and creativity of these Latino women,” she said. Although the group has generated $1.2 million in revenue in the last two years, the companies’ scale remains small –less than 25 employees.

“Latina-owned businesses have increased nearly 200 percent over the past decade and we want to help them grow through access to mentorship, networks and opportunities,” added co-founder Marta Michelle Colón.

In fact, renowned global entrepreneurship and innovation professor Antonio Dávila hosted a one-day seminar on the challenges in managing startup growth for the finalists of the 501(c)3 accelerator. The seminar was hosted at District Cowork in Manhattan, New York.

Francesca Kennedy, AccessLatina finalist

They discussed examining the management challenges of a startup as it moves from the entrepreneurial to the growth stage, similarly to the stage of their business. The seminar, based on Professor Dávila’s book, “Building Sustainable High Growth Startup Companies: Management Systems as Accelerators,” examines how to best address the management needs of a growing business.

“It is very interesting to work with people like these Latina business owners who are enthusiastic about building companies and organizations that are helpful to society, said Professor Dávila. “It has been a pleasure to be a part of a non for profit helping women achieve their goals,” added Dávila.

And the selected Latina business owners are:

Ix Style – [ New York ]

Francesca Kennedy’s artisan sandals donate clean drinking water to children in Guatemala for every purchase made. Francesca has been featured by Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Her sandals have been worn by A-listers such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Amanda Seyfried, and Rachel Roy, among others, and has collaborated with top brands such as GAP, Anthropology, and J Crew.

Lux Beauty Club – [ Florida ]

Victoria Flores, AccessLatina finalist

Victoria Flores, a former Morgan Stanley executive, and Leslie Namad’s launched the first ever affordable and luxury hair extension and beauty product subscription box. They are also the founders of Press On Hair by SOBE Organics, sold at mass retail, and have pitched on Shark Tank. Flores is on-set for the 2016 Housewives of New York of Bravo.

Puerto Rico Diseña – [ New York ]

Michelle Perez Kenderish’s e-commerce platform feature independent designers, makers, collectives and local brands. She’s also the founder of ChicaPReneurs, a monthly meetup and platform for collaboration that brings together creative entrepreneurs and cultural innovators from Puerto Rico living abroad.

Flamenca Films – [ New York ]

Trina Bardusco’s digital branded content company specializing in women. She’s also the creator of the documentary series, Wanderlust. Her original web series’ for Yahoo Mujer that ran from 2008-2014, boasted 25 million unique monthly visitors, and came in second to People en Español’s most trafficked site by Latinas in the U.S.

Novel Research – [ New York ]

Catherine Lajara’s clinical and pharmaceutical research company aims to reduce disparities in clinical trials and runs trials for pharmaceutical companies looking to develop new treatments. Lajara had very few connections and savings when she launched her business. The company today has five clinical studies. Lajara is passionate about health equity, women’s leadership, entrepreneurship and community development.

Concalma – [ Puerto Rico ]

Matilsha Marxuach, AccessLatina finalist

Matilsha Marxuach’s marketplace for fair-trade, environmentally responsible, and local artisanal tote bags has a mission of practicing sustainability. Marxuach is a designer and entrepreneur who’s inspiration comes from local culture as well as from traditional lifestyles and knowledge. She also serves as an avid advocate of the concepts of fair trade and local consumption.

Agropek – [ Puerto Rico ]

Cindy Cruz’ agricultural business to export exotic and natural goods grown locally in Puerto Rico. Cruz has made it her mission to use innovation and sustainable agriculture to advance local crops.

Institute for Spanish Learning Acquisition – [ Puerto Rico ]

Sacha Delgado’s full immersion and cultural language school. Delgado is an educational entrepreneur and is the Co-Founder of a Waldorf Inspired School.

In addition to the finalists, and as part of AccessLatina’s alliance with Puerto Rico’s entrepreneurship show hit3001.com, AccessLatina awarded a spot in the Advanced Education Module, for Decennia Vega’s Semila, LLC- a company dedicated to the wholesale of clones of cocoa trees.

Selection criteria for AccessLatina accelerator

AccessLatina’s criteria for selection included owning at least a 20 percent share in businesses within STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math), social innovation and urban agriculture industries (including ag-farm and ag-tech) that are headquartered in New York, Washington, D.C., Florida and Puerto Rico.

The finalists will receive three Advanced Education Modules with top global leaders. Then, the judges will select up to five winners that will receive a $25,000 grant and a crowd-funding round, publicity, mentoring and access to a high-profile network of professionals including entrepreneurs and investors.

AccessLatina is composed of a group of dedicated social and business entrepreneurs and is supported by Georgetown University’s McDonough Graduate School of Business, Kiva Zip, Athena Center for Leadership Studies at Barnard College, Golden Seeds, Guayacán, the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, Oriental Bank and the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative, among others.

AccessLatina launches accelerator for economic empowerment of Latinas in STEAM

October 23, 2015/0 Comments/in Accelerators, Entrepreneurship, Featured, Small business /by Susana G Baumann

Members of the AccessLatina accelerator

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

AccessLatina, a non-for-profit organization pioneering entrepreneurial growth for women, announces the launch of the first-ever multi-market accelerator program developed to reach one of America’s fastest growing populations—Latinas—in STEAM, social innovation and agriculture.

The organization parallels the passion, authenticity and cultural roots that Latinas proudly share. The accelerator was launched by two female entrepreneurs: Lucienne Gigante and Marta Michelle Colón. It is open to Latinas who own businesses headquartered in New York, Washington, DC, Florida, and Puerto Rico, focused on STEAM, social innovation, or the agricultural industry (including ag-farm and ag-tech), and have been doing business for at least three years.

According to the American Express State of Women-Owned Businesses 2014 report, women in the continental U.S. are opening an average of 1,200 businesses a day, double the rate from three years ago. Women-owned businesses generate more than $1.4 trillion in revenue and employ more than 7.9 million people.

Latinas in particular are paving the way by opening businesses six to one above other market segments, proving to play an instrumental role in unleashing the potential of the American economy. Over the past decade there has been a nearly 200 percent increase in Latina-owned businesses.

“Studies show that Latina business owners have a startup rate of six times the national average. Latinas hold amazing possibilities to create employment, exports and continue to significantly impact the economy,” said Marta Michelle Colón.

AccessLatina aims to provide capital injection and resource investment to women-owned businesses with high-growth potential through a yearly competition for which applications are being accepted starting immediately at www.accesslatina.org.

AccessLatina will provide capital and resources to Latina entrepreneurs, including a $25,000 grant and a crowd-funding round, advanced education, publicity, mentoring and access to a high-profile network of professionals, other entrepreneurs and investors.

The accelerator comprises three modules taught by top professors and experts on topics including management, sales, marketing, investors, business plans, and mentoring sessions. Ten finalists will be chosen by more than 40 judges participating in the process.

“Investing in women’s economic development is a significant economic driver for any country,” said Lucienne Gigante.

AccessLatina is supported by McDonough Graduate School of Business of Georgetown University, Kiva Zip, Athena Center for Leadership Studies at Barnard College, Golden Seeds, Guayacán, the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, Oriental Bank, and Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative, among others, and consists of a group of dedicated social and business entrepreneurs.

To be part of the #ACCESSLATINA experience or for more information on the program and details of the application process please visit www.accesslatina.org. Follow on social media @AccessLatina on Facebook and @AccessLatina on Twitter. Please use #FUNDLATINAS on social media.

Key Dates:

Accelerator’s deadline to submit applications is

November 28, 2015

The 10 finalists will be announced on

January 4, 2016

The five winners will be announced on:

March 28, 2016