Ileana V. says she has an “entrepreneurial soul”, as she always enjoyed customer contact and providing items that would make people happy. A trained Management and Marketing professional, Ileana emigrated to the US to flee from instability and worked several jobs until she became a mom. But last year, family difficulties forced Ileana to search for a way to still be able to tend and care for her small daughter while earning a living.
Ileana had been creating jewelry for some time when she heard about Identity’s first EXPO in June of 2023. Though she had presented her business ideas in the past, she was amazed at the confidence and preparation of the entrepreneurs presenting their ideas at the EXPO.
Ileana joined the third cohort of Identity’s entrepreneurship workshop, a program sponsored by WorkSource Montgomery. Always eager to learn more, she requested assistance from her Workforce Development specialist to apply to the USG Equity Incubator program and completed it with flying colors.
This year Ileana proudly registered her LLC: Mariana by Ileana, named in honor of her daughter. And daring again to dream big, she asked Identity to help coach her to apply and interview for the Women’s Business Center’s Shop Local incubator. From a large pool of applicants, Ileana was one of only three women entrepreneurs accepted this year and she will proudly showcase her creations and manage the “Small” shop for 6 months.
In Ileana’s words “Identity’s program has helped me tremendously, both in a personal and professional level. Through Identity’s support I was able to learn new concepts to take my business idea to the next level. I appreciate every one-on-one and orientation, the assistance with classes, interviewing skills, constant support …. I will be forever grateful.”