From Entrepreneurs to Mentors: Women Who Encourage and Inspire Others in the Biobío Region
Delia Hernandez and Pamela Saavedra are part of the group of women entrepreneurs from the Biobío Region who with time and expert training, became mentors, providing advice and guidance to help other women make informed decisions based on their experience, knowledge and wisdom.
The figure of the mentor who shares his or her knowledge is becoming very relevant as a mentoring instrument, especially in support programs for entrepreneurs.
This is the case of the Colbún Entrepreneurship Center (CEC), who have been concerned with developing this figure to promote other women entrepreneurs in the area, already having a network extended throughout a large part of the Region.
This is how its director, Vanessa Verdugo, explains: “For the CEC it has been very important to take this step of certifying mentors who are part of our own entrepreneurship network. As entrepreneurs, they have experienced firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come with starting and growing a business. For this reason, being able to share this knowledge and experiences with others is of great value, not only for the person receiving the mentoring, but also for the mentor himself.”
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Delia Hernandez, Cabañas Río Quilme
Delia started with her business called “Cabañas Río Quilme” located in the foothills on the banks of the same tributary in the middle of the pandemic. “My cabins are fully equipped and we have been growing little by little. It has been a very nice experience that has allowed me to grow, associate with other entrepreneurs and continue learning from each one,” explains Delia.
Delia became a mentor thanks to the support of the Colbún Entrepreneurship Center (CEC), who have encouraged, guided and trained her. “Thanks to them, I have had the opportunity to train and complement my knowledge, which has allowed me to replicate what I learned in other women, motivating them that we can achieve our goals with the entrepreneurial spirit that unites us,” she says.
And he adds that, “entrepreneurship requires being able to know what, how and when to do it, for this having the knowledge is ideal. Having a mentor is important to have someone to support and guide you in matters that are unknown, especially when you have the idea of starting a business or have already started your project.”
Verdugo, for her part, maintains that, “becoming a mentor not only allows you to give back to the community, it also provides the opportunity to continue growing personally and professionally. Being a mentor is more than a degree; It’s a responsibility and a privilege that drives collective growth.”
Pamela Saavedra, Ricko Alemán
It’s been 5 years since Pamela Saavedra started her business called “Ricko Alemán”, specializing in sandwiches, pichangas and completes in the town of Coronel.
After going through difficult times such as the pandemic and the social outbreak, her diners continue to prefer her and they have allowed her to last. “Entrepreneurship gave me the opportunity to raise my children while still having my business. During this time I have gone through good and bad things, but having the desire to always move forward is essential despite adversity,” says Pamela.
During all this time she has supported many entrepreneurs to continue with their businesses. “I became a mentor because I was consistent, empathetic, and shared knowledge. My idea is to return all the support that the Colbún Entrepreneurship Center (CEC) has given me to other women who are in the process of when I started, in addition to being able to convey to them that we can all achieve our goals if we are determined, have support and family containment,” says the entrepreneur.
“The idea is to be able to help each other, to have a virtuous circle of help, understanding that we all started our business out of necessity. In times of crisis we always bring out the best in us and it is very important that they know that they are not alone and that they can move forward despite the difficulties they encounter along the way, that is what we are here for,” she concludes.
Currently, the CEC is developing the Yo Puedo Mujer Emprendedora program in the Region, a project co-financed by CORFO, through a Viraliza fund. In this program, certified entrepreneurs play an important role as they inspire and advise others on the path of entrepreneurship with their experiences.