Being an immigrant comes with its own set of challenges, which are even more acute for women.
Two years ago, The Gateway Mall has opened the doors to the Women-Owned Small Business Collective (WOSB Collective), a unique store comprised of diverse, international and entrepreneurial women. This store proves that perseverance, hard work, and creativity play important roles in achieving personal goals.
The emergence of immigrant women entrepreneurs is contributing to the economy and changing male-dominated business patterns. The Small Business Administration states that “immigrants own businesses at a higher rate than U.S.-born individuals.”
We spoke with some of them and learned a lot about their experiences as business owners, women, and their personal perspectives.
Andrea Zambrano, the creative mind behind Colombian Marketplace, arrived in Utah from his native Colombia. She quickly positioned herself in her market as a fashion influencer. She is known in the Latin community for her kind and big smile, her love of her culture, and her boundless creativity. Zambrano said owning a business is not easy, she said. “It takes dedication, hard work, time, passion and professionalism,” she explained. She added that it is more difficult if the business is not in her home country. Utah offers educational programs to help business owners, Zambrano said, and she founded the WOSB Collective at Gateway two years ago.
“We never dreamed of owning a business in downtown Salt Lake City, but thanks to hard work and the coming together of many women with the same purpose and vision, we are the heroes of the story. “We were able to build a gathering space,” she said.
WOSB Collective is a boutique and gallery where you can find unique items from Latin American countries. This store has an eclectic vibe and is a popular Salt Lake City spot. The women running the business are primarily from South America.
Daran Chaparro is the owner. mikara storesells one-of-a-kind accessories made from Miyuki, a Japanese seed bead. Although only a year old, Mikala is a well-known and profitable store. There are no duplicate designs as we only offer unique styles. Customers feel special when they know they are showcasing a unique design and that no one else is wearing their design.
Chaparro arrived in Utah just two years ago. Her items are exported from Colombia and designed by Chaparro’s friends. Chaparro said she feels there is strong support from the women-owned business community in Utah. She advises immigrant women to explore opportunities and take risks without fear of cultural differences.
The owner is Angelica Alcala, a Venezuelan. Be Women’s Fashion. Arcalla is an authorized retailer of Colombian wallet brands. Palkita In Utah. The wallet is handmade vegan and super soft. Akala, a lawyer, arrived in Utah five years ago after having to leave the country due to hardships. She had to build her own life from scratch.
“Starting from scratch is not easy,” she said. She feels there is a lot of support for Latinx entrepreneurs from the Latinx community. She believes that as Latinas, we are trying to come together. For women who want to start a business, she told them not to limit themselves.
Paula Rojas is a Colombian creator. de mis manos paula rojas. She designs various items using crochet. But her best items are her unique dolls. It used to be her hobby, now it’s her job. She has crocheted for celebrities such as Venezuelan musician Oscar Doreon, Puerto Rican singer Willy Gonzalez, and actor Christopher Lloyd. She said she had to do her job, which she didn’t think she could survive when she first moved. She lost herself and felt like her life had stopped and froze. She was now able to make money doing what she was passionate about and “she felt like her life had meaning,” she says. She woke up again. ”
With sparkling eyes and a big smile, she says her most special experience so far was gifting a Christopher Lloyd doll to the actor himself. Her work also helped her mother grieve the loss of her child. Rojas made her a crocheted doll that looked exactly like the little boy. If you want a personalized doll of hers, find her on her Instagram @demismanospaularojas.
Mexican entrepreneur Dennis Cieza is the owner. Cempoala.Cieza. She explained that Cempoala began as a resistance movement to protect Veracruz’s traditional textiles. She wanted to combine tradition and history. Ceiza is passionate about traditional textiles. “It’s the worst form of theft and cultural appropriation in the name of fashion,” she says.
Cieza hails from southern Mexico, a region with a wide variety of fabrics, a wide variety of artisans, stitches, and stories. She describes her products as “handcrafted luxury, built on heritage, heritage and style.” She brings her pieces from Mexico and her brand has a sense of her aspiration. For example, she said the filigrana earrings remind her of her grandmother, Oaxaca, and her birthplace. She explains that embroidery is something that is passed down through generations.
Cieza has lived in the United States for 22 years. She was going through a tough time when she decided to start her construction business, which was her passion, to earn an income. Dennis concluded the interview by saying: Women should not have to stay in abusive relationships or wait for help,” she said.
At Cempoala, women can find jewelry, wallets, hats, and more. Cieza is full of life and energy, and her customers can enjoy her vibrant atmosphere when shopping at her WOSB Collective.
Venezuelan influencer and entrepreneur Christel Araya came to Utah seven years ago.she owns Tenu, a fashion store that carries items suitable for any event, including casual cocktail attire. Alaya is also a fashion consultant, so customers can get the help they need when purchasing her products. Her love for fashion began in her childhood. Her girlfriends turned to her for fashion advice and how to put together outfits for different occasions and vacations. She is also a makeup artist and teaches cosmetology. For her, TENU is about dedication and passion.
“I would rather work 80 hours for my dream than 40 hours for someone else’s dream,” she explained. Ayala tells women that if they are afraid to do something, they should embrace that fear and do it anyway. “But don’t give in to fear,” she advises.
Ayala doesn’t believe in limits. She goes beyond what others see and goes after it. Her brand is in her third year of launch and her goal is to open a big store. She believes in the power of her words. “I look at myself in the mirror every morning and say, you are magic, you are power, you are intelligence, and you are light,” she said. She advises women to surround themselves with people who love and believe in them. She also added that she has to work to achieve her goals.
Two other Latina-owned businesses are: Lacuna accessoriesWe carry a wide selection of accessories, including country-shaped necklaces. LACUNA means “space or range without padding.” hole. “Accessories symbolize us (as women), our country, and our hearts. Another thing is Vain accessories etc.. Accessories are diverse and unique, from rings to handmade necklaces.
In addition to the Latina entrepreneurs, two American women are also part of the collective. One is Sheena Wolf, who creates intricate glass art, including masks. Her favorite medium is kiln-formed glass. Another artist creates designs in wood.
This group of women wants to show other women, especially immigrant women, that with hard work, perseverance, and a determined mindset, dreams can come true. They discussed the importance of supporting each other as women and as members of the community.
Featured image: Left to right: Andrea Zambrano, Daran Chaparro, and Paula Rojas of WOSB Collective. All photos by John Taylor.
