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Upon graduating our intensive 10-week intervention and integration program, most Esperanza graduates go on to work in traditional jobs in the neighborhood: hotels, restaurants, cafes.
Some of our graduates, however, frankly don’t want to work for anyone and instead, start their own businesses.
To date, Esperanza has nurtured six graduate businesses to fruition and each has an entirely unique identity and story that makes it unique.
And the gateway to making these business ideas a reality is an entrepreneurial workshop: it’s here that graduates learn basic PowerPoint skills, how to build a business plan, and ultimately, presentation etiquette in order to solicit seed capital from a panel of neighborhood businessmen.
This process is hugely important: not just in the formation of a formal business, but also in terms of self-esteem and empowerment.
This week, in a small air-conditioned room lent to us by the Danilo Perez foundation, we held our Shark Tank event in which the graduates pitch their business ideas to neighbors and business leaders of the community. In some cases, they ask for expertise and in other cases they ask for seed capital.
This particular day, two new businesses were proposed:
1) Alexis Quintero was looking to re-brand his already successful Servicios Elektron, a 24-hour handyman and electrician service in Casco Viejo (something that has never existed). His new look is consolidated down to the name “Elektron” and his presentation asked primarily for help with logistics and professionalism in dealing with clients, seeing as though he already has some good business in the works. Learn More About Alexis Here
Graphic Design Magic: Shenna Jolly
2) Josue James wants to open a bar. After spending one year (post graduation) apprenticing at the American Trade Hotel bar, Josue felt it was finally time to put his bar-tending skills and pent-up creativity to the test. Based around a cocktail menu inspired by stories of his life, Josue’s bar concept is called Guari Quiteo. Learn More About Josue Here
Graphic Design Magic: Arturo Alzamora
Josue and Alexis were visibly nervous yet confident going into their Shark Tank presentations. And they both did great, very much impressing the judges. Here’s a look at the team of supporters and judges that masterminded this event:
As you might imagine, the mere act of formally presenting in front of such an impressive group of Casco Viejo’s community leaders is the very essence of what Esperanza is all about.
Part of what makes this entrepreneurial process so unique is the involvement of our community…individuals who support this unique kind of social innovation.
So now, with proposals for seed capital in hand, we begin seeking out two types of supporters:
> Investors who are looking to be part of the businesses financially with the goal of not just helping a start-up with real potential, but also seeking out a modest annual return on that investment.
> Volunteers – be it accountants, graphic designers, English teachers, or lawyers – who want to offer up their area of expertise to the entrepreneurs. Some dream examples are Arturo Alzamora (LaSalzaEstudio.com) and Shenna Jolly () who did the logos above.
If you fit either of these profiles and would like to take an active role in the development of once-marginalized young men now proving everyone wrong, please sign up for our updates under the shield on the right hand column of this page.