Today we’d like to introduce you to Lena May. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Lena May is co-founder of Inspire Me Latin America, a fair-trade company dedicated to creating economic access and changing the lives of women in Latin American countries. After a trip to Guatemala in 2019 to visit a friend, she saw an opportunity in the retail sector to share her passion for business empowerment. Lena felt that it was important to use her entrepreneurial talents to empower women in business. After a couple of brainstorming sessions and research with co-founder Michelle Elkin, Inspire Me Latin America was born.
Lena spent the majority of her life living in Buffalo, NY where she worked for her families retail floral chain starting at the age of nine years old. She was interested in design & fashion and would frequently travel to NYC during summer break to the bead district in search of new and unusual materials. In 2010, she founded a jewelry company as a hobby in college, curating pop up boutiques across the United States.
Growing up, her family encouraged her to pursue a career in business instead of being a designer. This influence led her to a career in technology, putting her love for design & fashion on the back burner. After spending 14 years in corporate America managing large scale technology projects, speaking at conferences and business events she saw an opportunity to intersect both industries in Central America.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Personally, I have taken many risks leaving my hometown to move across the United States. Luckily, Texans have been very welcoming and have helped me settle in nicely. It is easier to do business as a startup company here as well, there is less red tape and roadblocks compared to New York.
In Guatemala, entrepreneur partners face IP blocking, restrictions on electronic payments, unstable internet connections, limited shipping options and language barriers. Despite some of these barriers, we have been able to connect with 15 artisan entrepreneurs who employ 160 team members in Central America.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Inspire Me Latin America is dedicated to creating economic access and changing the lives of women in Latin American countries.
Founded on a shared love of fashion, culture and entrepreneurship, we share artisan stories and minimize barriers for creative business owners. We believe in connecting makers with a global audience, offering them increased economic independence and allowing more time for the creative process.
Each of our products is hand-selected in small quantities directly from our artisan partners. Every product is unique and crafted with care by the hands of our creative makers. Help our artisans overcome barriers and spread economic independence by shopping with Inspire Me Latin America.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Enjoying the winter season in Buffalo, NY while working with my cousins at Graser’s florist. We were always greeting customers at the front door, making floral deliveries to customers and wishing people a Merry Christmas. The smell of a flower shop this time of year is magical.
Contact Info:
- Email: inspiremelatinamerica@gmail.com
- Website: www.inspiremelatinamerica.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/inspiremelatinamerica
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/inspiremelatinamerica
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCfXhlyxKpr7hEsZuKB0htTg
