Mexican Woman in Business (Mexicana Emprende) Celebrates Imperial County Women Building Businesses and Resilience

-Editorial

Women entrepreneurs from across Imperial County were recognized for their leadership, perseverance and contributions to the local economy through the VII Annual Mexican Emprende Program, an initiative designed to provide Mexican women abroad with the tools, knowledge and connections needed to strengthen their businesses.

The consular entrepreneurship program, sponsored by Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Affairs for Mexican women living abroad, was organized locally by the Consulate of Mexico in Calexico in partnership with the Imperial Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the IV Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The program brought together women entrepreneurs from communities throughout the Imperial Valley for several months of training, business advising and professional development. Participants received guidance through DreamBuilder training sessions and one-on-one advising as they developed business plans and prepared to present their projects before a panel of judges.

The initiative culminated with an entrepreneurship competition and the fourth annual recognition of women whose careers and businesses demonstrate leadership, commitment, perseverance and resilience.

From Experience to Structure

Lucy Espinoza, owner of Lightbox Treasure Photo and Video, earned first place in the entrepreneurship competition after presenting her business project to the judging panel.

For Espinoza, the program provided an opportunity to transform years of practical experience into a more organized and intentional approach to running her business.

“It’s like putting everything in order and in each box that goes with the knowledge, not just having done it empirically at some point, but today doing it consciously, with knowledge of the order and structure of things,” Espinoza said.

As the first-place winner, Espinoza received $3,500 in financial support, which she plans to invest primarily in marketing.

Second place went to Laura Figueroa, owner of Bake It Happen, who received $1,700. Arlene Palomera of A3VO Youth Atelier placed third and received $1,000. The remaining finalists received $500 each.

Espinoza said marketing has become increasingly important for small businesses trying to reach their ideal customers, particularly as technology and artificial intelligence continue to change how businesses promote themselves.

“Today everything is managed through marketing,” she said.

The financial award, she said, will allow her to invest in campaigns designed to reach potential customers and expand the visibility of her photography and video business.

Beyond growing her own company, Espinoza said she hopes her business will eventually create employment opportunities in Imperial County.

She currently works with individuals who provide services independently, but her long-term goal is to build a team and employ workers directly.

“I would love to be able to get to the point where I can give them employment,” Espinoza said. “That would be great.”

A Business Journey Built on Opportunity

Espinoza has worked in photography for more than 25 years. After moving to the United States, she initially expected to pursue traditional employment. Instead, former clients familiar with her photography work began approaching her for event services.

Those requests eventually brought her back into photography and opened the door to new business opportunities.

Her experience reflects one of the central goals of Mexicana Emprende: helping entrepreneurs recognize the value of their existing skills while providing them with the structure and business knowledge needed to turn those skills into sustainable enterprises.

Rocio Vazquez Alvarez, head consul of the Mexican Consulate in Calexico, said the program is intended to connect women entrepreneurs with resources that can help them strengthen their businesses and continue developing professionally.

“This program tries to give them all that structure, connect them with all those resources and services,” Vazquez Alvarez said.

Participants leave the program with connections to institutions that can provide continued mentoring and education, she said, including resources related to artificial intelligence, marketing, taxes and other areas essential to operating a business.

Connecting Entrepreneurs with Resources

Vazquez Alvarez said the program has been offered in the Imperial Valley for four years and forms part of a broader initiative that has reached its seventh edition nationally and internationally.

She said immigrant communities have demonstrated significant interest in entrepreneurship, but aspiring business owners may not always be aware of the resources available to them or have access to the business structure necessary to establish and grow a company.

Mexicana Emprende seeks to help bridge that gap by combining education, mentoring, networking and recognition.

This year’s participants represented communities throughout Imperial County, including Calexico, El Centro, Brawley, Imperial and Calipatria.

Participants included Karla Gallaga of RED Commercial Cleaning Services LLC; Imelda Anguiano of IMIHE; Lucy Espinoza of Lightbox Treasure Photo and Video; Julia Romero of Green Compost; Zohe Garcia of Walking Together; Laura Figueroa of Bake It Happen; Arlene Palomera of A3VO Youth Atelier; and Selene Reyes of The Realee Group.

The program also recognized five women through the Mujer Resiliente distinction for demonstrating perseverance and resilience in their entrepreneurial careers. Honorees included Mariana Ramirez of The Spot in Calipatria; Priscilla Sanchez of Elotes y Más in Brawley; Norma Martinez of Prana Yoga Studio in Imperial; Gabriela Rivera of IVG Events in El Centro; and Emily Uribe of Petunia’s Sandwiches in Calexico.

A Community Investment in Women-Owned Businesses

The program was supported by local businesses, institutions and community organizations, including Corazón Credit Union, First Foundation Bank, Imperial Valley College, City of El Centro, United Toyota, Victoria Homes, Sun Community, Seven Roofing, Energy Source Minerals, State Farm by Jasmin Rodriguez, AliPies, Academi Awards and Trophies, and Divinne Designs.

Together, the partnerships reflect a broader community effort to support women-owned businesses and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout the Imperial Valley.

For participants such as Espinoza, the program offered more than a competition or financial award. It provided an opportunity to step back from the day-to-day demands of entrepreneurship, organize years of experience, identify areas for growth and develop a clearer strategy for the future.

As women entrepreneurs across Imperial County continue building businesses, creating services and pursuing opportunities, Mexicana Emprende highlights the role that training, mentorship, financial support and community connections can play in helping those businesses grow.

For Espinoza, the next step is clear: take what she learned, invest in her business and continue building toward a future in which her entrepreneurial success can also create opportunities for others in the community.