Women entrepreneurs are changing the way business is being done with the support of programs

that provide opportunities for funding, fellowship and female representation.

“The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (AZHCC) is an advocate for entrepreneurial

women and invests in those interested in starting a business or growing an existing business,
especially through the DreamBuilder Program,” said Cerilia Gailliard the Project Director for
DreamBuilder.

The program provides over 127,588 entrepreneurial women with a free step-by-step 13-course
framework for those looking to start or grow their business according to the AZHCC website.

Gailliard said that the modules take a combined total of approximately 25 to 40 hours to
complete, and feature animations, exercises, games and interviews with entrepreneurs provided
in English and Spanish to help business owners better understand the concepts.

Joycelyn Wooten, owner of 2 Doves Notary, a mobile notary service in Maricopa County for
Real Estate established in 2018, graduated from the DreamBuilder Program in March 2022.

“It benefited me more that I was already in business because when they're talking to us about
determining cost and our financial analysis. I was able to look at my business and see where I
was going wrong and find ways in which I can make my business better,” said Wooten.

The goal at the end of the program is to have a finished business plan the participant can
immediately use to seek out new business opportunities according to the AZHCC website.

Gailliard said, “Once participants complete the program, they will receive a business plan, a new
laptop, one-on-one business assistance and a one-year basic membership to the Arizona Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce.”

By receiving government funding, grants and working closely with partners, DreamBuilder is
able to provide more women with access to additional services and resources.

The AZHCC has officially partnered with Arizona State University's Thunderbird School of
Global Management for the proven 13-step process for creating an effective business plan, with
enhanced modules to finance and expand their business according to the AZHCC website.

As it is an online course, the program has been a significant success and continues to expand
throughout Arizona, Utah, Nevada, the Navajo Nation and Southern California according to the
AZHCC website.
Being online has alleviated the stress of learning especially during the midst of COVID-19
Wooten said.

Self-employed Latinas are concentrated in industries that are essential to the stability and
security of the United States during the pandemic and were hardest hit at the pandemic onset
according to the US Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey.

“We need more diverse organizations that promote Latina entrepreneurship,” Cristina Melero,
owner of Cristina Salon Suite, established in January 2012 said, “It really comes down to more
funding, more opportunities and more Hispanic representation.”

As DreamBuilder starts to expand, more women around the world have the opportunity to
network and grow their businesses from the comfort of their own homes.

“It’s not easy starting a business but The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce provides women real
resources to help and guide you with bridging the gap between you and your business,” Wooten
said, “When you educate and invest in a woman, you're able to build a whole community.”

The AZHCC application deadline for the DreamBuilder Program will close on September 28th,
2022.
Sources

Cerilia Gailliard
Project Director DreamBuilder
CerilaG@azhcc.com
480-463-0904

Joycelyn Wooten
jwooten@2dovesnotary.com
480-645-1566

Cristina Melero
Cristina Salon Suite
crismelero08@gmail.com