The Latine community is known for its work ethic; that perseverance and dedication are shining through now more than ever. The number of Latino business owners grew 34% in the last decade compared to 1% for all business owners in the U.S., according to a recent study from Stanford University. The number of Latina-owned firms has more than tripled and employment has risen 85% in comparison to a 68% firm growth among all women-owned firms over the past 17 years.
In response to the growing number of Latina entrepreneurs in the U.S., makeup brand Smashbox is hosting their first-ever Jefacon 2020, one-day virtual empowerment and business summit that will feature 12 workshops on subjects like building your brand, managing your money, developing your vision and more.
The virtual event will be co-hosted by Patty Delgado, founder of Latina lifestyle brand Hija de tu Madre, and Julissa Prado, founder of clean hair care brand Rizos Curls. Both entrepreneurs have previously used their platforms to educate budding Latina entrepreneurs. They recently joined forces with Brittany Chavez, founder of Latinx online marketplace ShopLatinx, to form the Las Jefas Crew, a platform they use to dispense advice and tips for young jefas, as well.
“I’ve felt that there haven’t been enough resources for our community to connect, have access to mentors, or feel inspired on their entrepreneurial journeys,” Prado tells Remezcla. “This collaboration is much bigger than makeup. There is so much power in the fact that Smashbox, a mainstream beauty brand, has not only decided to collaborate with two Latina Jefas but allowed us to showcase our own narrative of what it means to be Latina.”
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5:30 am PST on Saturday, Dec. 5 and tickets are $25 or included in the price of their beauty box collaborations of $98.
“It’s crucial for me to be of service to my Latinx community, and I do so by sharing resources and insights that have helped me along my entrepreneurial journey,” Delgado tells Remezcla. “It’s not enough to highlight my wins; true change happens through honesty and vulnerability. I hope by sharing my struggles, losses, and failures I can help to inspire and motivate the next generation of entrepreneurs.”