Does a “no” mark the end of the road? What methods can one use to face difficult situations without losing control?
For almost two hours, these and other questions were the focus of nearly 100 women entrepreneurs meeting at the Fábrica de Arte Cubano in Havana, as part of the second edition of Ellas Hablan (They Speak), the space created by Negolution in alliance with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, to share the experiences of women entrepreneurs in Cuba today.
On this occasion, the special guest was Lizt Alfonso, a woman known for her artistic and social success in cultural and academic exchanges, choreographic productions, master classes, workshops, and for directing one of the most prestigious fusion dance companies in Cuba: Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba.
Accompanied by psychologist Patricia Arés, Lizt shared her life story, the great obstacles she has had to overcome to get to where she is, and those she continues to overcome every day. She stressed she is convinced that “women are a force and one of the solutions to problems, because we are stronger when united.”
“Lizt’s story could well be called “Challenging the Impossible,” psychologist Arés noted at the event held last Saturday, adding “The obstacles and stones on the path are not always for the worse. Sometimes they help you to overcome and say: I can do it, I can achieve it, I want to do it.”
Three other projects led by women shared their experiences: Pilares Construcciones (MSME dedicated to the construction, maintenance, repair and rehabilitation of buildings, and the production and marketing of materials based on recycling); Color Café (a business dedicated to fashion and design with four years of experience); and Bestview Havana (a venture dedicated to the rental of luxury apartments in Havana with an oasis concept).
“I am a civil engineer and mother of two children,” explained Yulieta Hernández, partner of Pilares Construcciones. “I was told I had to be a lawyer or a journalist, but I liked construction,” she added.
“Facing a team of men at a construction site is difficult for women, but not impossible. It is also very complicated to start a business in Cuba. Financing options are very scarce, I ended up owing 40,000 CUC. I couldn’t sleep. But I didn’t give up, and today we are an established construction enterprise and we have been a MSME for a year.”
Pilares Construcciones has five partners, four of whom are women, and they are currently focused on creating a brigade of women bricklayers.
Meanwhile, Loypa Aguirre, founder of Color Café explained that she built her business, not only conceptually, but also on site, alongside the construction workers, arranging the premises, designing, until everything was ready, and with the support of her family and husband.
“I have had many ups and downs, but also many moments of joy. I would like to teach other women, men, boys and girls,” she noted.
At Bestview Havana, 90% of the team are women, who are led by Ada Dimbath. In addition to renting apartments, they are working on a project with the idea of uniting gastronomy, wine and women’s strength.
“My goal is to discover an oasis for women,” Ada said.
En el marco actual, aún con la apertura económica a la iniciativa privada que les permite a las mujeres ser propietarias de sus negocios, las emprendedoras son apenas una tercera parte de los Trabajadores por Cuenta Propia y poco más del 20% de las sociedades de las nuevas micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas.
In the current context, even with the economic opening to private initiative that allows women to own their own businesses, women entrepreneurs represent only a third of the country’s registered self-employed workers, and just over 20% of the new micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
Since its first edition, Ellas Hablan has sought to open up a space for empowerment and enable the testimonies and experiences shared to illuminate the path of other women entrepreneurs on the island; where every story counts and all voices are heard.
