The Latina Chamber was founded by Latinas to strengthen the entire Hispanic community. By providing the information and support our community needs, we will in turn strengthen and enhance the lives of our ever growing community throughout this nation. Learn more about how you can join the Latina Chamber by visiting the Join Us page.
Women-Owned Businesses
(Facts from the Center for Women’s Business Research underwritten exclusively by Wells Fargo) One in 11 adult women is an entrepreneur.
- One of 7 employees works in a woman-owned business.
- Women owned business are growing at 2 times the rate of all privately-held firms.
- Nearly half (48%) of all privately-held U.S. firms are 50% or more women-owned for a total of 10.6 million firms. These firms employ 19.1 million people and generate nearly $2.5 trillion in sales.
- Women owners of firms with $1 million or more in revenues are more likely to rate the internet and e-commerce as important to growth.
- Women emphasize relationship building as well as gathering facts; are more likely to consult with others, including experts, employees, and fellow business owners; and may take more time to make decisions.
- Women business owners are philanthropically active: 70% volunteer at least once per month; 31 % contribute $5,000 or more to charity annually; 15% give $10,000 or more.
Latina-Owned Businesses
- 18.31 million Latina in the United States (2002)
- 12.7% of total female population
- 48.9% of total US Hispanic Population
- Median age = 26.9 years (US female median age = 36.7 years)
Work Force
- 21.4% of Latinas in the work force hold managerial or professional jobs (approximately 1.5 million)
- vs. the US Female: 38.3% hold managerial or professional jobs
- vs. the Hispanic Male: 14% hold managerial or professional jobs
Educational Attainment
- Latinas are attaining bachelors and masters degrees at a growth rate higher than the general US population. (430% growth vs. 35% for US population)
- Women earned 60% of all bachelors degrees awarded to Hispanics in the 1999-2000 school year.
Women as Entrepreneurs
2002: Latinas owned an estimated 470,344 firms in the US, employing 198,000 people and generating $24.9 billion in sales
Business Goals
- Similar to women business owners in other ethnic groups, a goal of most Latina business owners is to increase revenue and employment in their firms (84%)
- 80% of Latina business owners have the goal of being a role model for others
- 68% of Latina business owners believe they are making a difference in their communities through business ownership