Meet the Latinx Women Who are changing the entrepreneurial world
Hispanic Heritage Month might be coming to an end, but I still want to take the time to celebrate the trailblazing and game-changer Latinx women who have been waking waves in the business world and paving the road for future generations of Hispanic entrepreneurs. Meet seven Hispanic women who are making a difference in the entrepreneurial world, read their stories in their own words.
Soraya Benitez
Founder & CEO of MommaBear
Instagram: @mommabear_usa
Soraya Benitez is the Founder and CEO of MommaBear, a maker of carefully crafted and organic, delicious homeopathic solutions for common ailments that the whole family can enjoy. Prior to starting MommaBear, Soraya worked in the Finance world for over 15 years, working as both an Equity Research Analyst and Portfolio Manager in the Consumer space. Her passions are yoga, cooking, and spending time with family.
MommaBear is a women-led business building conscientious, carefully crafted, and organic homeopathic solutions for common ailments that the whole family can enjoy. We care deeply about our customers and giving back to our community.
What has been the biggest obstacle you have overcome as a female Hispanic entrepreneur?
Having no experience in the entrepreneurial world has been an enormous ramp-up curve. But really, hearing that what we are trying to do is not possible has been a bigger effect on our psyche than anything else. We are determined, however, so we persevere!
What is your top tip for Hispanic female entrepreneurs?
Know thy self! There is sooooo much to do when you are starting a business that it can be quite overwhelming. By spreading yourself too thin, you run the risk of sinking quickly! Make sure you have mentors and resources that can help you in areas of expertise you are weak in. You don’t have to know it all to be successful, so lean on smart people you admire that can mentor you.
Michelle Enjoli
Career Development Coach
Linkedin
Michelle Enjoli is a bilingual international speaker and career development coach who motivates and teaches strategies on how to successfully connect to career opportunities for growth and development. She was a first-generation college student. In 2016, she created the first all-inclusive business resource group at Mercedes-Benz USA to connect leaders and professionals with each other for growth and development. She continued to expand on this work and created her second dream job with the launch of Connect with Michelle Enjoli.
What has been the biggest obstacle you have overcome as a female Hispanic entrepreneur?
The biggest obstacle I’ve had to overcome is building a business in a space that was unfamiliar to me as an entrepreneur and unfamiliar to anyone around me. I had no real connections in this area of business and therefore had to start from scratch. I’ve had to dedicate most of my time to developing a reputable and valuable service and building a network and brand that awards me the business.
Are there any professional Hispanic role models that have made an impact on you?
One of the first Hispanic role models who caught my attention growing up and made an impact on me was Cristina Saralegui. She was basically known as the Spanish “Oprah” and was one of my inspirations for wanting to pursue a career in journalism. Watching someone do something different who comes from a similar background and culture that you do, motivates me to also dream and pursue new things.
Fabi Paolini
Brand Strategy Coach
Instagram: @fabipaolini
Facebook: Fabi Paolini
I’m a Brand Strategy Coach helping coaches and consultants position themselves as authorities online by creating premium brands, messaging and marketing that attracts high-end clients online. While I am physically located in Miami, my business is actually delivered online — so therefore I have clients all over the world.
She began her business in 2016, after arriving as an immigrant to the US, coming from Venezuela. She needed to figure out how to get clients in the US. Their business back in Venezuela was 100% referral-based, and when moving to the US, I basically had to start from scratch.
What are you doing to make an impact in the Hispanic community?
I believe that the Hispanic community has a lot to overcome in terms of valuing themselves. I work with a lot of coaches and consultants that, when they come to me, are afraid to increase their prices or charge what they are worth. They tend to diminish their own value and compare themselves to other people. My biggest impact is in helping them change this and focus on understanding that the value that they deliver is massive AND that with the right message, they WILL be able to find high-end clients — yes, even in the Hispanic market.
What’s your “know your value” moment?
As I have been able to grow my business, I have realized that it’s my differences that make me stronger. I often talk about my “Spanglish Brain” and how it helps me get connected more to my clients. The fact that I am Hispanic, a mom of 3, a wife, business owner and coach helps me really connect to people in a unique way. Remembering this allows me to charge my worth and know my own value.
Margine Biswas
Owner and CEO of Archiphy
Facebook: Archiphy
Margine Biswas studied art and architecture at the University of Texas in Austin, and received her Texas architectural registration in 2006. That same year, she founded Archiphy Architects. Margine has been involved in community affairs including serving at AIA, co-chairing Women in Architecture committee and editing of areforum, an online resource for the architectural community.She has written several articles in trade publications.
Throughout her career, Margine has created projects which express a contemporary vocabulary. She is mainly interested in relationships between the experiences of space as it correlates to the experience of urbanism and the ways in which architecture can create a forum for thought and expression.
What has been the biggest obstacle you have overcome as a female Hispanic entrepreneur?
The construction industry, as well as architecture, is male-dominated. In the construction industry, the architect is the leader of the team, and having a Hispanic woman as the leader is very unusual. I was able to overcome this by providing useful information and tips to make the construction process easier.
What are your top 3 tips for Hispanic female entrepreneurs?
1. Never underestimate the power of good relationships and networking.
2. Be focused.
3. Strive for excellence.
Veronica Terrazas Konecke
Co-Founder of Aloisia Beauty
Instagram: @Aloisiabeauty
As the co-owner of a highly successful medical diagnostic testing device company importing and selling products from South Korea, Veronica Konecke became passionate about the philosophies, efficacy, and quality standards of Korean skincare after working with the country’s top manufacturers for over 15 years. She is thrilled to partner with one of Korea’s leading skincare labs to develop skincare products for Aloisia Beauty. “We created Aloisia Beauty to embrace healthy, high-quality skincare as an affordable luxury.”
Aloisia Beauty is a woman and minority-owned brand founded in 2019 by a diverse team with a shared passion for non-toxic, effective skincare and the K-Beauty ritual. We have developed a range of effective, clean skincare products built upon Korean Beauty philosophy and innovation to meet every skin care need, enhancing the skin’s natural beauty.
What are you doing to make an impact in the Hispanic community?
We support the Hispanic community whenever possible. At Aloisia Beauty, we are developing plans to invest in programs that support women entrepreneurs, supporting institutions that provide micro-loans to Hispanic and other minority women. We are a young company, but this is a core value that our team believes in and stands behind of. Additionally, along with one of my co-founders, GG Benitez, who is married to a Mexican/America, our families both build homes for the homeless in Tijuana, Mexico through the non-profit organization, Build a Miracle.
Are there any professional Hispanic models that have made an impact on you?
I greatly admire Salma Hayek and Chef Marcela Valladolid. She is an extremely bright and talented woman that I used to watch in telenovelas, that was able to break through her bombshell status and get a seat at the table as a respected actor, producer, business woman and trailblazer. I especially admire that she was able to do that and still remain authentic in everything she does.
Even though Chef Marcela Valladolid is younger than me, she is a strong role model from my hometown of Tijuana, Mexico. I deeply admire how hardworking and authentic she is with her community on Instagram. Watching her thrive and become a renowned Chef, author and businesswoman has given me the faith and inspiration to believe that I too can be successful if I work hard and stay true to myself.
Ami Gangemella
Wine educator
Instagram: @ami_oncloudwine
Ami Gangemella is a Wine Educator for casual wine drinkers and enthusiasts who want to learn more about wine without feeling pretentious. Through sharing educational posts on social media and private tasting events, consumers will be guided to learn the easy steps of wine appreciation while keeping it fun, approachable, and affordable. Attendees will feel more confident to step out of their comfort zone and taste wines from budget-friendly regions around the world.
Started their business in February 2018, with 3 years in business. Through sharing educational posts on social media and private tasting events, consumers will be guided to learn the easy steps of wine appreciation while keeping it fun, approachable, and affordable. Located in Stonybrook, New York.
What are you doing to make an impact in the Hispanic community?
My goal is to inspire other Hispanic women in wine to pursue their educational goals and to continue to show up and stand out on social media. Brands now more than ever are looking for people of color to show more diversity, now is our time to shine.
What are your top 3 tips for Hispanic female entrepreneurs?
Put yourself out there. Network constantly through social media and in-person events where applicable.
Stand out on social media. Let your authentic voice be heard.
Continue to apply and reach out to brands for partnerships.
Lea Landaverde
Wealth coach
Instagram: @Lealandaverde
Lea Landaverde is a First Generation, Queer Latina, Entrepreneur, Master of Finance, Wealth Coach, Educator, and Investor. She is on a mission to help the BIPOC & LGBTQ+ bridge the wealth gap and cultivate a beautiful relationship with money. Through coaching Lea is able to help the community align, build and grow their wealth to focus on their financial future and create generational wealth.
I am Lea Landaverde owner of Riqueza Wealth Coaching. I’m a Queer, First-Gen, Latina, Entrepreneur, Master of Finance, Educator and Wealth Coach. My business serves the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ with providing financial education and support to help the community break generational money curses to align, build and grow their wealth. The business is primarily virtual but currently located in Utah.
When did you begin your business?
This business began in March 2021. I decided to pick my passions over a corporate paycheck. I worked for a large investment bank and was undervalued, mentally unstable and living paycheck to paycheck. During the pandemic, I was helping my friends understand their finances with their business or their side hustles and it brought me the purest joy. I have always wanted to help and grow my community in their financial education and working for the investment bank, I realized I wasn’t ever going to be able to do so working for them. So, in February of 2021, I decided to pick my community to help bridge the wealth gap and provide hope to a financial future we have all aspired to have.
What are you doing to make an impact in the Hispanic community?
My business is helping the community build its financial future. In our community we fear conversations of money because we find it first hard to navigate the American world but then add on top of that money… no one taught us what to do. So, my business is helping the Hispanic/Latinx community cultivate a beautiful relationship with money to create wealth for generations.
Had you heard about any of these incredible women and their businesses before? Do you have any other tip that would like to share with me? Leave it down belong in the comment section.
If you want to hear other game-changer stories check out my podcast, Coffee N.5. Connect with over at Instagram @larachsmoisman