Building the Capacity of Latina Entrepreneurs

Income inequality

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Latinos contribute significantly to California's economy generating $706.6 billion annually, $284.5 billion from the Los Angeles Metro Area. Despite their labor force growing 3.6 times faster than non-Latinos and accounting for 84% of LA’s labor force growth, Latino households in LA County earn on average $71,300 per year, compared to $82,516 for all households and $104,421 for White non-Hispanic households. Latino-owned businesses are growing rapidly, at a median rate of 25% from 2019-2022, compared to 9% for white-owned businesses. However, Latino and especially Latina-owned businesses face significant funding barriers. When Latinas are employed they are the worst paid demographic in America and California when it comes to the wealth gap and frequently have a side hustle alongside their full time job. Addressing these disparities is crucial to ensure that Latina entrepreneurs have equitable access to opportunities and resources to foster economic growth and reduce income inequality.

The Jefa Business Bootcamp is a bilingual virtual education program designed by and for Latina entrepreneurs. Combining self-paced learning with live weekly virtual "office hours" hosted by industry experts that offer a deeper dive into each unit. The bootcamp offers personalized guidance, in-depth topic exploration, and access to networking opportunities. A flexible format ensures participants can balance learning with other commitments while receiving continuous support. What sets our program apart is its dual focus on cultivating entrepreneurial and leadership skills with practical, outcome-driven learning with topics including:
Market Research: Identifying business opportunities and guiding innovation.
Business Planning: Growth and investment acquisition, strategic planning and stakeholder engagement.
Branding Strategy: Market differentiation and customer loyalty, paralleling corporate marketing expertise.
Legal Structuring: Governance, compliance, and sustainable business set-up
Financial Goal Management: Financial stewardship and literacy, budget management and planning.
Business Scaling: Growth strategies and managing organizational development.
This comprehensive and integrative approach makes the Jefa Business Bootcamp the ideal solution for addressing the unique challenges faced by Latina entrepreneurs and aspiring leaders, empowering them to achieve their professional goals and contribute to economic growth.

If the Jefa Business Bootcamp is successful, Los Angeles County will see a rise in the thriving Latina-owned businesses, contributing to economic growth and reduced income inequality. Short term, we aim to equip 200 Latina entrepreneurs with critical business skills and resources, fostering immediate business launches and expansions. Long-term, we envision scaling the program to reach 1,000 entrepreneurs, creating a robust network of empowered business leaders who will enhance economic opportunities, support community resilience, and position LA as a leader in inclusive entrepreneurship. The Jefa Business Bootcamp is a component of our Más Wealth Initiative, aiming to eliminate wealth inequality within one generation. Equipping Latina business owners with best practices enables them to launch and expand their enterprises, fostering wealth-building opportunities for their families. The resulting businesses will hire locally, expanding economic opportunities and community growth.

The Jefa Business Bootcamp is designed to equip Latina entrepreneurs with essential business skills and resources. SUMA has developed a comprehensive program evaluation process with outcomes based on learning targets modeled after our successful financial literacy series, “Dinero Bootcamp.” We will evaluate this pilot program through:
Participant Surveys: Pre-/post-program surveys to measure improved business knowledge, confidence, and skills in market research, business planning, brand strategy, legal structuring, financial planning, and organizational development.
Business Metrics: # of participants who gained knowledge and began the process of starting their business. Community Impact: Collect qualitative feedback on how the program has influenced participants' personal and professional lives.
Regular follow-ups and a robust data tracking system will ensure we capture both quantitative and qualitative outcomes, enabling continuous improvement and demonstrating the program’s impact.