Success Stories

Herlinda

My name is Herlinda. I am 45 years old; I am a mother, daughter, employee, and active member of my community. Thanks to ARPA funds I was able to return to school and prepare for better job opportunities. For the last 21 years I have worked in a convenience store on the night shift. Due to my age and being a mother, I thought that I no longer had the opportunity to study to better prepare myself for the workforce but everything changed after attending the informative talk that Rubicon gave us.

The motivation that Dayanna (Workforce Development Navigator) gave me was decisive for me, since she made me feel safe and confident that the benefit of the program was good for someone like me. I realized that, with the help that Alameda County was offering us, I could go back to school and prepare myself to get a job with “regular” hours and be able to further support my children, my family, and my community. Working at night and studying during the day has been a very big challenge for me as a person, but although they give me a lot of homework and a lot to do, I strive to keep moving forward and be an example of improvement for those around me.

In the next months I see myself receiving my diploma, getting a better job within the administrative, accounting, payroll, or as an office assistant. Although I know how to speak English and Spanish, I have felt that my age has affected my abilities, but it has not been impossible, having the support of my husband and my children motivates me to move forward. I hope that everything I am learning can be reflected in a more comfortable life and a better work situation.

-Herlinda 
Resident from San Lorenzo

Maria

Maria, the proud owner of A Flor de Piel Organic Soaps, immigrant from Nicaragua passionate about crafting natural organic soaps, faced a common challenge many entrepreneurs encounter: creating a robust business plan to fuel growth. Despite her expertise in soap-making, navigating the nuances of business planning in a new country was daunting, sheembarked on a transformative journey by participating in our Business Planning cohort tailored for immigrants.

Throughout the Business Planning cohort, Maria absorbed invaluable knowledge, honed her skills, and crafted a robust business plan. The program not only equipped her with fundamental entrepreneurial strategies but also provided her with a supportive community and network of fellow immigrant entrepreneurs.

With newfound confidence and a comprehensive business plan, Maria took bold steps to implement innovative marketing strategies; with the help of the Renaissance team, she opened her first Instagram account and Venmo transactional account, refined her product line, and enhanced customer engagement. Leveraging her unique story as an immigrant and the authenticity of her organic products, she effectively communicated her brand’s values and

mission to her audience. Although she only speaks Spanish, she finds ways to communicate with her customers.

With dedication and perseverance, Maria is witnessing remarkable growth in her business. Her revenue has soared as loyal customers multiplied, drawn to the quality and sustainability of A Flor de Piel Organic Soaps. The expansion of her market reach, both locally and online, showcased the impact of her strategic planning and execution.

Maria’s success story became an inspiration not only within her immigrant community but also in the broader entrepreneurial sphere. Her journey exemplifies how determination, tailored guidance, and a supportive network can turn a passionate dream into a thriving and sustainable business. Maria’s journey is a testament to the power of education, perseverance, and community support in achieving entrepreneurial success amidst challenges. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aflordepieljabonesorganicos/

Eliazar

Hello, I am Eliazar. Originally from Nayarit, Mexico, I arrived in this country 22 years ago. I decided to enroll in computer classes because I needed to learn how to use technology and stay connected. Before, only my son could help me send emails. One important lesson I learned is that age is not a barrier to learning new things.

What I particularly appreciated about this opportunity was that the services were entirely in Spanish, which is rare to find. Thanks to the ARPA funds allocated by the county, I could finally access these classes. During these weeks of learning, I overcame my fear of experimenting with technology and even developed a business idea through the assignments given by our teacher.

A significant benefit was that we were provided with laptops, allowing us to continue practicing what we learned. This also helped me study and apply my lessons from English classes, boosting my confidence when searching for a job.

After taking these classes, I feel inspired to continue my education in technology, as it is an essential tool. I highly recommend this experience to others because it is heartening to see how, in a classroom setting, we can support each other in enhancing our knowledge. I am deeply grateful that this resource was brought to our community. Unlike the new generations, we were behind in this knowledge, but thanks to the funds, Alameda County, and the San Lorenzo Adult School, we were able to complete this valuable experience.

Eliazar
Student of Technology class