70% of Peru’s businesses in the hands of women

Within the framework of International Day of Entrepreneurial Women It stands out that 7 out of every 10 ventures in Peru are led by women.

That is, according to the data recorded by Marcela Garcés, director of the Empoderadas y Emprendedoras fair, 70% of businesses are run by Peruvian businesswomen.

“There was a boom after the pandemic, an increase of more than 15% because many women worked from home, having more hours to dedicate to their hobbies, which in turn were projects that they could undertake,” Garcés told La Republic.

In detail, the areas in which they perform the most are the beauty sector (74.5%), retail trade (61.9%) and wholesale trade (57.8%), and food and beverage service activities with (59.9%).

Furthermore, about 60% of them make a living from their entrepreneurship. “They have been able to be leaders of their economy, and they also have flexibility in their time to attend to domestic care,” Garcés stressed.

Snacks from the jungle

An example of this growth is La Guayaba, a business that produces and sells products based on cassava starch promoted by Enid Sanabria and her mother, Einith Bardales.

“We bring the starch, the main input, directly from Amazonas. We seek to expand the gastronomic tradition of the province of Rodríguez de Mendoza, in the jungle, where my mother is from,” said Bardales.

At first, during 2020, they sold only to friends, but then they saw that it was viable to turn it into a business and expanded their operations to accept orders through social networks or at fairs.

One of the challenges they faced was inflation and the increase in freight costs, or inputs such as sugar, eggs and butter.

However, the brand continues its search to reach a larger audience by offering healthy snack options rich in vitamins B, C and fiber, different from the usual products made from wheat or corn flour, in addition to considering them as an option suitable for celiac people.

Comfortable and empowered

Another case is that of Blanca Olortegui Abanto, who started Qapary, a company for the sale of pajamas made from 100% organic Peruvian pima and pima cotton.

For Blanca, the concept was clear: she wanted to convey comfort, daily security and offer her buyers all the available size options, from S to XL.

“Not only should they be soft garments, but they also convey a feeling of constant well-being. Our variety of sizes are also a tribute to the inner strength of each woman,” she said.

The idea to create the brand arose in 2019, but with the arrival of the pandemic, the launch had to be delayed due to production difficulties, as raw material costs tripled.

However, during that time of pause in 2020, he dedicated himself to working on sales strategies and improving prototypes.

Thus, over three years, despite the challenges for manufacturing, Blanca, who works together with her father, has managed to adjust the supply so as not to raise their prices too much.

Likewise, he continues to train with courses digital marketing, photography, design, among others, with the hope of expanding the brand’s range of products. Currently, they can be purchased through social networks, at fairs and the official website will be launched soon.

Keys

Fair. The second edition of Empoderadas y Emprendedoras will have 90 brands of Peruvian businesswomen and will take place from December 21 to 23, 12 m. to 9 pm at Casa Prado (Miraflores).

Instagram. @laguayabaperu and @qapary.pe.