Cheers for Latinas

New research shows that a quarter of the nation’s entrepreneurs are immigrants, despite the fact that immigrants make up just 15 percent of the U.S. population. The positive impact these fearless leaders are making on the business world is often overlooked. In the midst of Hispanic Heritage Month and the start of Work from Home week October 2^nd – 8^th, here is Alba Tabares, an inspiring Hispanic, power Avon Seller, and just, a boss.

Alba Tabares immigrated from Colombia in 1989 and launched her own direct selling business with Avon 15 years ago.  She wanted to be her own boss and is now encouraging other Latinas to do the same. Alba has a busy life, three children and a husband. Being your own boss gives you the freedom to work when and where you want –whether you’re at the playground with your kids, in your living room, or at a coffee shop. You have the flexibility to set your hours, be creative and take your business wherever you want it to go.

Alba now has close to 1,500 members on her team, and makes over $200,000 a year from her Avon business.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’d like to put a spotlight on the work Alba is doing to bolster the Hispanic community, and give support and earning opportunities to other Latinas.

Here are three tips for Latina business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs:

Team work is very important not only with your team but with the managers and corporation, this is about Avon family. We all needed help to get where we are today. That’s one of the beautiful things about Avon — it lets you launch your own start up without having to start from scratch and plugs you in with a network of that provides resources and tools to grow your business. What’s really amazing is Alba become a pillar and a role model for the immigrant community in Georgia, and 99% of her recruits are new Hispanic immigrants. She creates a family and a community for these newcomers and gives them the opportunity of earning money through Avon.

Tell people that you believe in them, show them that you care about them first then the business. When Alba makes phone calls she always starts with ‘how is your family?’ For Alba it’s her family that she values the most. Her son and husband have also become a part of her business. Her earnings made it possible for her to bring her two brothers, her sister, and her nieces from Colombia a few years ago.

 Believe in yourself. Being your own boss isn’t always easy but the returns are great. Take time to reflect on each day’s accomplishments however small. Celebrate small wins, and learn from your mistakes. Remember, that you do have what it takes. You are fierce, capable and fabulous. Recently, Alba was (crowned) the 2015 Woman of Enterprise.