As a single mother, I was struggling to provide for my children. So I started selling tamales to friends and families to make a little extra money. Quickly, I was making more money cooking tamales than working my day job, so I thought – why not make this a business! That was when I turned to A New Leaf’s AWEE for help. I enrolled in AWEE’s business classes, I graduated, and it has helped my business thrive. I learned all the skills I needed to succeed.”
“When I make the tamales, I try to tell my employees to treat it as a metaphor for themselves. We work out our emotions together through cooking. We fold and mash the masa, and then construct the tamale – you must be strong, but also very delicate with the details. It is a great lesson for survivors of domestic violence,” says Imelda, founder and owner of Imelda’s Happy Tamales.
Thinking back, she says, “As a single mother, I was struggling to provide for my children. So I started selling tamales to friends and families to make a little extra money. Quickly, I was making more money cooking tamales than working my day job, so I thought – why not make this a business!” Quickly, Imelda got to work on her project. But, after some trouble getting started, she realized that she needed some training.
“That was when I turned to A New Leaf’s AWEE for help. I enrolled in AWEE’s business classes, I graduated, and it has helped my business thrive. I learned all the skills I needed to succeed.” And Imelda was quick to give back. “I knew from the start I wanted my business to matter in the community, so I employed women escaping domestic violence, helping them find financial independence and empowerment.”
Donors like you help make community-oriented businesses thrive, businesses like Imelda’s Happy Tamales. “I am so thankful for the support I have been given through AWEE. It made my dreams come true, and helped me become a successful entrepreneur. Please donate to A New Leaf’s AWEE and empower people in need!”