It all started with embroidering a crest. Between stitches, the number of clients grew. Henry Ford would have been proud of the production rate. Until recently, it was a well-established business. Now, it has become a digital venture: born among fabrics and seamstresses, and today it coexists with pixels and characters.
This is a quick look at the story of one of the entrepreneurs who participated in Connected Woman, a leadership program for female entrepreneurs in the greater metropolitan area that seeks to empower them and support them in boosting their businesses through technology and communication.
As Professor Reynaldo Rivera, one of the project coordinators, explains: “There is a lot of talk and writing about entrepreneurship, marketing, and digitalization. Also about educational innovation. But it seems that everything is geared towards people who have access to resources, contacts, and education.”
The initiative, funded by the Universidad Austral With funds from its 16th Internal Competition, it held its closing event on the Campus of the Universidad Austral in Pilar. It began with a reception in one of our classrooms, followed by two dynamic talks by the academic coordinators: Reynaldo Rivera, professor of Management at the Faculty of Communication, and Patricia Debeljuh, director of the Family and Business Reconciliation Center of IAE Business School.
Professor Rivera compared the user journey to a trip, explaining that "every time you help the customer get what they need, you're acting as tour guides." For her part, Patricia Debeljuh empathetically presented the ten principles of sustainable success: ten keys to long-term entrepreneurship.
Next, the Dean of the Faculty of Communication, Marcela Pizarro, along with the project leaders, presented the diplomas, and Florencia, one of the beneficiaries, offered a few words to those present, to which Marcela replied: "I hope you continue with that strength and that determination."
Finally, the day concluded with a tour of the Campus facilities.
Making the digital leap
This was the final chapter of a training program made possible through the collaborative work of several stakeholders. In the words of Professor Rivera: “The Connected Woman program provides women entrepreneurs in the greater Buenos Aires area with access to advanced tools and knowledge, with the participation of fourth-year Communication students who are preparing for the job market through concrete consulting case studies. All of this is done in partnership with organizations that are active in the area, such as 2000 women".
Driven by the academic coordinators, it had the support of representatives from the NGO Mujeres 2000, who work in vulnerable neighborhoods and connected the participants of the program.
In addition, two Communication graduates, Daniela Rodríguez Mincey and Jazmín Nogaró, were consultants on the project during the course.
Five barriers
When starting a business, there are many different obstacles to overcome. As Patricia Debeljuh explained: “The only limit is the one you impose on yourself, and we aim to help you reach the highest level possible.”
To make this possible, the training was structured in five blocks to facilitate overcoming barriers that they commonly encounter: attitudinal, technological, market, communicational and situational.
Each module was addressed through four axes: a workshop, asynchronous content, networking and mentoring sessions.
With purpose
Connecting women entrepreneurs. Empowering their skills. Raising social awareness among students.
A triple mission that the project fulfilled, which, according to Professor Reynaldo Rivera, “is the result of the inspiration provided by the values of the Universidad Austral".
In first person
We share some of the testimonials from the participants.
