The sixth edition of the program concluded after six months of work. In this edition, 100 women from Atacama, Los Ríos, and O’Higgins participated in mentoring sessions and courses taught by the Simón de Cirene Corporation to strengthen the management and strategy of their businesses. In addition, those selected attended six learning circles per region, led by the Construyendo Mis Sueños Corporation, face-to-face spaces designed to generate support networks among women entrepreneurs.
Each of the women received a contribution of two million pesos, intended for the acquisition of tools, infrastructure improvements, training, or other relevant investments to grow their businesses.
Macarena Cea, general manager of the Luksic Foundation, emphasizes that “as women, we tend to have less time available because we take on multiple tasks every day. That is why, through programs like this one, we seek to provide tools that empower women entrepreneurs who work tirelessly to grow their businesses and improve their quality of life and that of their families.”
Alejandra Iacobelli, general manager of Simón de Cirene, highlights the impact of the joint effort: “Once again, we have confirmed that when we all join forces, the results are extraordinary.”
Voices from the sixth edition
Roxana Guzmán (65), from the Atacama Region, started her business “Sabores del km 7” (Flavors of km 7), a home-style restaurant, almost a year ago. The mother of five children, who have already left home, explains that she decided to take a chance on her own project that would allow her to generate income in the face of unemployment.
She points out that, thanks to Despega Mujer, she strengthened her digital skills and, with the support she received, was able to equip her kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Regarding what she learned, she says: “They taught me to dream, to set goals with deadlines, and to do things now. Not just write them down in a notebook. I’m leaving with all the tools I need to achieve it.”
Débora López (37), from the O’Higgins Region, started her professional cleaning business a little over a year ago. She remembers that she started the business so she could spend more time with her son. Today, she dreams that her company, Cleaners del Valle, will continue to grow and thus offer job opportunities to more women.
About her time at Despega Mujer, she highlights that she learned digital marketing and business planning tools. “It helped me meet wonderful people and realize that I can move forward despite the difficulties and grow my business,” she says.
