Microenterprise Development
The Vision
Through microenterprise development, Hacienda promotes the self-sufficiency, creativity and viability of immigrant women, their families and the local community. Hacienda's microenterprise program provides entrepeurial residents with training and mentoring to become successful small businness owners. Entrepenuers are trained in developing business skills including business management, financial literacy, marketing, securing licenses and learning compliance with local governments. Hacienda acts as an incubator for these small businesses providing resources, start-up costs, English language help, marketing assistance, and access to IDA accounts and low-interest loans. Business ventures include selling homemade tamales at local farmers markets, "Green" houscleaning services and organic vegetable production (in the works).
Current Business Ventures- (more information found at http://www.micromercantes.com/)
Launched in 2005, Micro Mercantes was Hacienda's first microenterprise program. Beginning with ten women selling at five farmer's markets, Micro Mercantes has grown to twenty women, 12 farmer's markets, and year-round catering, receiving local and national recongnition for its innovative model. Tamale vendors are comprised of twenty female residents of Hacienda's afforable rental housing communities, all Hispanic immigrants of very low-income and limited english proficiency. Often working in parent-child teams, Hacienda staff help the women work together, market their tamales, find business opportunities and develop a quality product. Vendors now offer vegetarian and organic tamales and sell packaged lunches daily at the OHSU cafeteria. Micro Mercantes families see their annual incomes increase by at least 20%-30% from tamale sales. In addition to increasing their household incomes participants serve as role models in the community, building self-confidence and solidarity with eachother. The women are currently in the process of forming an independanct cooperative set to launch in 2011, with the help of Hacienda.
Want to get involved? We have several opportunities to support the Micro Mercantes program:
- Official Website: http://www.micromercantes.com/
- Buy Tamales!!! Click Here for 2010 Farmers Market Schedule
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Catering: Have Micro Mercantes tamale catering at your next event or luncheon. Contact Jorge Alvarado at jalvarado@haciendacdc.org or (503) 961-6408 for a menu and to schedule an event.
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Cooking classes: Sign-up to host or attend a cooking class taught by Micro Mercantes tamale vendors. Contact Jorge Alvarado at jalvarado@haciendacdc.org or (503) 961-6408 for more information. Next cooking class: October 25th, 2009 5-7pm @ 5051 NE Going Street, portland, OR 97218.
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Learn more: Watch this short documentary about the Micro Mercantes program and tamale vendors. Click here to view an article featuring tamale vendors at the Portland's Hollywood Market.
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Buy tamales!: Click Here to view a list of Micro Mercantes farmer's market locations.
For more information about upcoming microenterprise projects contact Nathan Teske, Community Economic Development Director, at nteske@haciendacdc.org or (503) 961-6412 or visit http://www.micromercantes.com/
