Right or wrong, we invest ourselves fully. The way we build relationships is about more than mentorships. The Latino community is hyperconnected, family driven and socially centered. Why does it matter for VC firms to take us into consideration? Because.if new job creation depends on small businesses, then the groups who are creating new businesses need to achieve their full potential so everyone can.ĭo Latino/a business owners benefit from culturally specific coaching, delivered by trusted community members? Minorities are driving new business creation in the U.S., so then the growth of the U.S. Building this trust is is not charity work. Institutions, VCs, etc., could be more aware of the challenges of relationship-building with Latinos, and then can earn our trust.īut we need to reframe the story. Unfortunately, there's baggage that we bring from our countries of origin, such as a mistrust of financial and government institutions. It's critically important to see people like ourselves, who can speak from experience and not theory, and have cultural affinity with us so they can speak to nuances that keep us away from asking for money. I'm drawing upon my own mistakes on my journey, so that others don't have to. Those forums are not readily available for us, and we're quietly suffering and Googling "how to be an entrepreneur" in middle of the night. This type of experience is of great value for Latina and Latino entrepreneurs. I wanted to co-create a space that is safe, where you see people like you, and financing is demystified. We have to be taught, even as U.S., MBA-educated Latinas, on the norms of raising capital. It's a mistake for entrepreneurs–as in the U.S., there are so many resources for minorities and women, and for everyone. To never, ever, ever talk about money or ask about it. Culturally, we're told to work hard, keep our heads down, and the rest will follow. Regardless of your background, funding is hard to figure out on your own. college educated in the U.S., the first likely to be entrepreneur, yet are not born with a U.S. For Latinos, sometimes we are the first in our families in the U.S. I think the process of funding in general is very intimidating. Are Latino startup founders excited to see funders that reflect and share their culture? Firms like Dreamers Ventures, with Latino funders, are starting to emerge. Latino entrepreneurs receive less than 1% of VC funding. from her native Colombia at the age of 17, to achieving executive positions at Johnson & Johnson, to founding companies, becoming what she describes as "a recognized Cultural Intelligence" expert and supporting future business leaders via partnerships with Google. It's a journey that took her from her arrival the U.S. We sat down with Lili to discuss how and why she co-founded Dreamers Ventures, and why she feels compelled to share her own journey with other Latina entrepreneurs and businesspeople of all backgrounds and stages of success. True to Lili's energetic, practical approach to business and community, the event drew 250+ attendees, featured luminaries such as Andy Unanue, former COO of Goya Foods and now CEO and Managing Partner of AUA Private Equity Partners, and included fun rounds of conversation and cocktails, where she introduced investors to entrepreneurs and startup founders. On November 13 at Google's New York City office, Lili, Enrique, and their Dreamers Ventures team partnered with Google Business Inclusion program manager Lucy Pinto, Google's Accelerate with Google events team, and Google's Digital Coaches program to kick off a multi-city tour of digital marketing master classes for Latino business owners. She and Enrique have taken their skills and passion for building businesses and building networks with Dreamers Ventures, which Lili describes as "an empowerment platform and multi-city tour." Dreamers Ventures offers access to education, mentorship, and sales opportunities to empower Latino and other minority entrepreneurs to build business growth across the U.S. When she speaks, she exudes not only warmth, but strength. When you meet Lili for the first time, it's clear she has a deep love of connecting people so that they form meaningful and practical networks these qualities are evident in her wide, welcoming smile. Lili Gil Valletta (pictured above, right), the co-founder, with Enrique Arbelaez (pictured above, left), of marketing and consulting firm Cien+, has boundless energy.
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