Supporting women entrepreneurs in Buenos Aires Arg

In spite of the rough economic climate in Argentina, we’re full steam ahead towards our goals as we approach the end of the year. We’re continuing to work with the spirit of community and togetherness that always permeates work in the Nuestras Huellas community. 

In the last few months, we’ve held tons of workshops, supported the formation of two new community groups, and welcomed new participants into financial training and microfinance programs. We’re forming partnerships with new organizations to continue to support new communities. 

In essence: the economy is tough, but we’re not letting it hold us back.

Highlights of August, September, and October 2024

• There are currently 68 community banks 
• Two new groups were formed: Rincón Emprende and Las Abejas (The Bees)
• Thirteen new people are involved in Nuestras Huellas groups since our last update in July, for a total of 491 participants 
• We raised over $1500 for a new project, where we’re expanding our financial education programs to communities in Chaco, northern Argentina 
• And we’re working with Banco Galicia and Buenos Aires City government to develop a Workshop of Financial Education Literacy Workshop

A dance party to celebrate entrepreneurship and achievements of our community 

In September, we enjoyed our annual event, which was a celebration of what we’ve achieved as a community. The theme was “Peña” — a traditional Argentine dance party. 

Financial and entrepreneurship workshops in August, September, and October 2024

Here are some highlights of trainings and workshops we carried out: 

1. Leadership for women entrepreneurs: A free workshop in August on leadership in entrepreneurship for women entrepreneurs. 

2. Personal finance for incarcerated people: Then, we worked in partnership with the University of San Isidro’s training department to host a three-day workshop in the Buenos Aires Penitentiary Center to teach personal finance principles to people who are currently incarcerated. 

Maite and Paz, two of our co-directors, led the workshop for 30 people from different male and female pavillions. They taught strategic planning and budgeting for managing personal finances, and promotes responsible and productive attitudes around saving. 

3. Additional training workshops this month : As part of our Training Program, we held a series of financial education workshops in collaboration with Fundación Vivienda Digna. These workshops took place in Derqui, Buenos Aires, with participation from the Fundación Vivienda Digna (Dignified Housing Foundation) community. 

The goal of the workshops was to introduce key concepts around managing money and strengthen financial management and sustainable decision-making.

Topics covered included planning, setting financial goals, best practices for managing money, debt, and how to avoid over-indebtedness.

Featured entrepreneur: Griselda, owner of Mi Tacita Ceramics Studio

Griselda, founder of Mi Tacita ceramics studio, got her start in entrepreneurship when she quit her full-time job, and dove head-first into entrepreneurship. She took full advantage of every single course and workshop offered through Nuestras Huellas to learn and grow. 

She joined the community bank in her neighborhood, 7 Reinas (7 Queens), and started selling artisan ceramic products, including beautiful ornaments, candles, dishes, and seasonal gifts. 

Encouraged by her fellow entrepreneurs in the Nuestras Huellas community, Griselda began offering classes in addition to selling her ceramic products. She uses a space in her mother’s house for a small studio, which accommodates up to six students. Lately, all her classes are full and Griselda is looking to expand to be able to accommodate more students. 

Griselda uses the home-related loans from Nuestras Huellas to make gradual updates to her house — currently, that includes putting in a brand-new sink in her kitchen, so she doesn’t have to walk downstairs to borrow her mother’s kitchen for dish-washing. 

On the business side, she’s laser-focused on paying off the kiln she bought, a major investment thanks to loans from friends and family members. In the near future, she aims to get her own space, and continue growing her business to be able to provide jobs for others in her community. 

Support her business by following her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitacita.gris/

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Our financial training and microfinance programs are going strong in the first months of 2024. This continues to be a unique and tricky time in the Argentine economic landscape, but as usual, we’re blown away by the creativity and resourcefulness of the entrepreneurs and community members we work with.

Highlights of March, April, May, and June 2024

• There are currently 69 community banks and 486 total people participating in our programs
• Since March, there are four new groups and 13 additional people involved in Nuestras Huellas since March
• The new groups have named themselves: La colmena (The beehive), Todas para una (All for one), Sueños por cumplir (Dreams to be achieved), Mujeres al frente (Women leading the way) 
• We ran a financial education training for young people in the San Pedro Claver high school in May (photos below)

Featured entrepreneur: Natalia, co-founder of DELICIAS DE TIGRE

We'd like to introduce you to Natalia, an entrepreneur who co-founded her business since joining Nuestras Huellas, and now employs seven other people. 

This interview has been translated into English and edited slightly for clarity.

I have so many stories. I’ve spent so many years with Nuestras Huellas, I can’t even remember all the years we’ve worked together. Nuestras Huellas has seen me grow as a mother, as a person, as an entrepreneur. 

My favorite anecdote is that I hid from my husband that I was part of Nuestras Huellas because I was ashamed. One day, I made the decision to tell him and explain that every two weeks I met with other women in the community bank. And from that moment on, he’s accompanied me, and he joined the bank and together we founded the business we have today: “DELICIAS DE TIGRE.” 

Today, that business is our family’s sole source of income, and our great entrepreneurial endeavor together. 

Joining Nuestras Huellas 

A family member invited me to join a community bank with Nuestras Huellas. I decided to join because I had the need to be independent in my work. I wanted to generate income for my household that only depended on me. 

At first I was in observation mode, and as I attended more and more meetings I felt more part of it, I felt the desire and the need to get more involved. Today I feel that the community bank is a core moment to get together, to connect with my colleagues, I always look forward to it. I love seeing how each member keeps growing in her own way. 

What it’s like being part of the community bank 

The group helped me so much. I learned to trust myself, to be consistent in my work, to empathize with others. It was so useful for me – I was able to get so many lessons from each of the Nuestras Huellas coordinator that I worked with. I carry with me words of advice from each of the coordinators that have made a huge difference to me. 

What Natalia’s business and life is like today

Today, I’m more than happy and grateful to Nuestras Huellas. Without Nuestras Huellas, I’m sure my life would be totally different. 

I’ve grown so much, it’s been unbelievable. Today I have a business, and I can employ others. I have a team of six women and one man. They’re wonderful, and we’re all working towards the same goal. My team is a group of humans that I greatly admire. 

Lessons from Nuestras Huellas 

I’ve learned to be in service to others, to be patient and understanding. I’ve learned to navigate fear, to keep going despite frustrations, and to be grateful for each achievement I reach. 

I’ve learned to be a leader. I’ve also learned how to be a good companion to my business partner and husband Matias. I’ve learned to include him in this phase of learning. 

Dreams for the future in her business and family life 

I dream of having a business that can provide maximum wellbeing to each person on my team and people who interact with the business. 

I dream that at one point my business will be recognized and that each of our customers is happy with the product we provide to them. 

I dream of owning my own house, and that the effort I’ve put into this business leaves an impact and learnings for my children. 

The best part about Nuestras Huellas 

The thing I like most about Nuestras Huellas is the people, the commitment, the humility they have, the love they give, and the space they hold for me. 

I recommend Nuestras Huellas wholeheartedly to other people – Nuestras Huellas is a part of me. 

Featured entrepreneur: Llescy, owner of Peruvian restuarant: Restaurante Thiago Cocina Peruana

My story: I came from Peru 13 years ago with lots of desire to grow, and I’m so grateful for all the support from Nuestras Huellas and the people that surround me. I might not have my family here in Argentina, but I feel very supported. 

I joined Nuestras Huellas because of my friend Maritza, who told me what it was about, and I liked the idea because they give you credit and a very low interest rate that is accessible to start a business. I already had a Peruvian restaurant, and I was able to grow my business and organize it. Thanks to the trainings from Nuestras Huellas, I was able to improve my business. I’ve already invited three friends to join Nuestras Huellas. I want to keep growing as a business owner, and I dream of having another location of my restaurant at my home.

Thank you for supporting Nuestras Huellas!

Thank you for being a supporter of Nuestras Huellas and for following along with our updates. A phrase we repeat constantly is “with love and methodology” and our community is part of the love that fuels us to continue doing this work — you’re part of that community!

Links:

• DELICIAS DE TIGRE Instagram page