When Angelica entered the H&M store and saw her products on display, she couldn’t hold back the tears. For her, this moment represented not only the fruit of her efforts but also the recognition of her talent and dedication.
Angélica, along with other nine entrepreneurs who participated in the Emprende Pro Mujer program, had the opportunity to exhibit and sell their products in two H&M branches in Mexico City. “I have been to many bazaars and plazas but never to a store of this magnitude,” said Angélica, owner of the Angela Kherr Natural Care brand. “[H&M] bought our product and paid us. Nobody does that.”
For two days, on November 30 at the H&M branch in the Mitikah shopping center and on December 7 at the Galerías Perisur branch, the entrepreneurs took advantage of the space inside the stores to position their brands and connect with potential customers.
On November 30, the following businesses participated: Luz & Sombra, To Tlalli Crochet, Reflejos del Bosque, Alma Bonita, and Angela Kherr Natural Care. On December 7, in Perisur, we had Sr. Coco, Todo Va Diseñado, Paliacarte, Cartoncito Corazón, and MEZCLA. Each of these ventures is characterized by offering products that reflect the creativity, effort, and care that each entrepreneur puts into them.
“At H&M we weave inclusion and diversity into everything we do; it’s part of who we are and it’s in our DNA,” said Rodrigo Ortiz, diversity and inclusion leader at H&M. “We are very happy to join Pro Mujer and its incredible work to promote entrepreneurial Latina women, since by supporting a woman entrepreneur, you support the development of an entire community and consequently the establishment of a more inclusive and diverse Latin America.”
The partnership between Pro Mujer and H&M Group shows that investing in women and their businesses can transform entire communities. Teresa is the director of the organization La Morada, which works for the integration of people in vulnerable conditions. Through their recycled fabric brand MEZCLA, they support migrant and refugee women with employment opportunities and technical training. “The visibility that [this event] gives us is incredible and priceless,” said Teresa. “Being here, having people come up to us and ask us questions is a great opportunity.”
The support of H&M, a company committed to sustainability and social impact, was fundamental to the success of this initiative. By opening its stores to these entrepreneurs, H&M not only offered a physical space for the display and sale of products but also helped build trust and generate growth opportunities for them.
“I feel very excited being here in this store, as I’d already visited it before because of the clothes and beautiful things they have, but being able to see my stuff is incredible; it’s like a dream come true,” said Teresa from Cartoncito Corazón. “This is a huge boost and now I know I can go further. I realize how important I can be as a small business owner.”
This collaboration reinforces Pro Mujer’s mission to support female entrepreneurs in Latin America. Since 2021, through Emprende Pro Mujer, the organization has reached more than 100,000 women throughout the region, providing them with tools, training, and support to transform their lives and those of their communities.