Boricua Women in Business: Why We Need More Latina Entrepreneurs

Introduction:

The Strength of a Boricua Woman in Business

Picture a palm tree in the middle of a storm—bending but never breaking. That’s the power of a Boricua woman. Strength, resilience, and adaptability have always been part of our DNA.

Puerto Rican women run households, raise families, lead communities, and break barriers. But when it comes to business, many face challenges that make it harder to succeed—less funding, fewer opportunities, and outdated stereotypes.

Yet, despite these obstacles, Boricua women continue to rise. They are building brands, leading companies, and creating economic independence for themselves and their families.

💡 More Latina entrepreneurs = More generational wealth. It’s time for more Boricua women to step into business, create financial freedom, and inspire the next generation of Latina leaders.

Let’s break it down.

The Power of Puerto Rican Women in Business

1. Boricua Women Are Natural Entrepreneurs

A business owner is a problem solver. Who multitasks, budgets, negotiates, and finds solutions every day? A Boricua woman.

💡 Think about it:
✔️ Running a family budget? That’s financial management.
✔️ Cooking and selling plates in the neighborhood? That’s a food business.
✔️ Doing hair at home for extra cash? That’s a salon startup.

📌 Example: A Puerto Rican mom starts making homemade coquito for Christmas. It sells out. She reinvests, makes a year-round version, and now has a brand selling across the U.S.

🔥 Lesson: Boricua women already have the skills—they just need the right tools and opportunities to scale.

2. Boricua Women Build More Than Businesses—They Build Communities

Latina entrepreneurs don’t just chase money—they create opportunities for others.

📌 Example: A Puerto Rican woman starts a cleaning business. Instead of hiring outsiders, she employs other Latina mothers, helping them earn income and gain independence.

✅ More women in business = More jobs
✅ More women in business = More mentorship for young Latinas
✅ More women in business = Stronger families & communities

🔥 Lesson: When Boricua women win, entire communities rise.

The Biggest Challenges Boricua Women Face (And How to Overcome Them)

Even though Latina-owned businesses are growing faster than any other group, Boricua women still face major obstacles.

1. Less Access to Capital & Funding

💡 The Reality: Women receive less business funding than men—and Latina entrepreneurs get even less.

📌 Example: A Puerto Rican woman applies for a loan to expand her bakery. Even with a solid business, she gets denied because she lacks “enough assets.”

🔑 Solution:
✅ Use Alternative Funding – Instead of banks, look for grants, crowdfunding, and microloans.
✅ Community Investment – Boricua women can invest in each other’s businesses.
✅ Pitch Competitions – Join Latina-focused business competitions for funding opportunities.

📌 Resources for Latina Business Funding:
✔️ Latino Economic Development Center – Offers business loans for Latina entrepreneurs
✔️ iFundWomen – A crowdfunding platform for women-owned businesses
✔️ Hello Alice – Provides grants and mentorship for Latina business owners

🔥 Lesson: If banks won’t help us, we’ll fund each other.

2. Balancing Business & Family

💡 The Reality: Many Boricua women run businesses while raising children and working full-time jobs.

📌 Example: A Puerto Rican woman starts a handmade jewelry brand while working a 9-to-5 and taking care of two kids.

🔑 Solution:
✅ Time Blocking: Dedicate specific hours for business.
✅ Outsource & Automate: Use tools like Shopify, Canva, and QuickBooks to save time.
✅ Build a Support Network: Find other Latina entrepreneurs who understand the struggle.

🔥 Lesson: You don’t have to do it alone—collaborate and delegate.

3. Lack of Business Mentorship

💡 The Reality: Many Latina entrepreneurs don’t have access to mentors who understand their struggles.

📌 Example: A young Puerto Rican woman wants to start a fashion brand but doesn’t know where to begin. She doesn’t have mentors in her family or network to guide her.

🔑 Solution:
✅ Join Latina Business Networks – Groups like WE NYC, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Latinas in Tech offer mentorship and business resources.
✅ Follow Successful Boricua Businesswomen – Learn from those who have already done it.
✅ Build Your Own Support Group – Connect with other Latina entrepreneurs online or in-person.

🔥 Lesson: Success happens faster when we help each other.

Latina-Owned Businesses That Are Thriving

Many Boricua women are already making moves in business. Here are a few success stories that prove what’s possible.

1. Sofrito Rico – Puerto Rican Flavor in Every Kitchen

📌 Founded by a Puerto Rican mom who turned her homemade sofrito into a national brand.
📌 Now sold in grocery stores across the U.S.
📌 Started with just a few jars at a farmers’ market.

🔥 Lesson: Start small, scale big—your product could be the next household brand.

2. Badass Women of Puerto Rico – Latina-Owned Apparel Brand

📌 Latina-owned clothing company celebrating Puerto Rican women
📌 Uses social media to sell globally
📌 Started with just a few designs, now has a full store.

🔥 Lesson: Cultural branding sells—represent Puerto Rican heritage and people will support.

3. Coquito Queens – Holiday Drink Turned Million-Dollar Brand

📌 Started as a seasonal side hustle
📌 Created unique flavors and sold online
📌 Now delivers year-round to major cities

🔥 Lesson: Your side hustle could be your full-time business.

How to Create a Boricua Women’s Business Network

To create more success stories, Boricua women need a strong business network. Here’s how we can build it:

✔️ Join & Create Latina Business Groups – Start online communities to share knowledge and resources.
✔️ Support Boricua-Owned Businesses – Buy from women-owned brands instead of big corporations.
✔️ Host Business Meetups & Workshops – Connect with other Latina entrepreneurs in person.
✔️ Invest in Each Other – Crowdfund and invest in Puerto Rican women’s startups.

📌 Example: A group of Puerto Rican businesswomen launches a mentorship program where experienced entrepreneurs help new Latina business owners.

🔥 Lesson: Boricua women are unstoppable when they work together.

Conclusion: The Future is Female—And Boricua Women Are Leading It

💡 What’s next?
✅ Launch your business—even if it starts small.
✅ Support other Boricua women-owned businesses.
✅ Join Latina business groups and networks.
✅ Create financial independence for yourself and future generations.

🔥 Boricua women don’t just survive—we build, lead, and thrive. Let’s take over the business world—together. 🚀🇵🇷💰