From the moment Andrea stepped off the bus in Mexico, leaving behind the threats of gang violence in Honduras, she knew her life would have to start over. Back home, she had been a highly trained engineer, respected for her skills and work contributions. In Mexico, however, opening doors were hard. She followed a difficult process of many months to get validation of Honduran credentials so that she finally was recognized as a professional engineer in Mexico.
As she applied for jobs, employers focused more on her being an immigrant than her having a license being a permanent resident. Her applications for professional jobs were rejected by many companies because of xenophobia. Instead of planning complex installations or overseeing critical designs that she used to love doing – she found herself working as a bartender and doing anything to make ends meet while knocking on doors.
Though this new reality was frustrating, Andrea refused to be defined by what others thought of her. Rather than wait for someone to give her a chance, she decided to create one for herself. She launched her own engineering consulting business. She soon however realized that building a successful enterprise required more than talent and determination. She needed the right knowledge, support, and financial tools to bring her vision to life.
IDEAS is an international organization that provides training and support to immigrants from Latin America. The lessons with IDEAS training were eye opening and practical, exactly what she needed to give her the confidence to continue on her path of crafting her entrepreneurship journey. IDEAS offered more than classroom time. Team members visited Andrea in person, helping her turn financial concepts into practical strategies. They showed her how to streamline operations, set goals, and handle the financial side of running a business—important steps toward growth and stability that she was struggling to achieve.
Even as her business skills improved, Andrea faced another major barrier: managing her finances entirely in cash limited her professional credibility and created unnecessary risks. Financial inclusion is a key offering of IDEAS. This program guided her through the process of opening three different types of financial accounts. First came a basic bank account with a VISA debit card, giving her the electronic ability to receive funds from clients and pay suppliers.
When that bank hesitated to lend to her, IDEAS introduced her to a national credit union that welcomes immigrants. By opening a savings account there and proving her ability to save and repay a small personal loan, she earned enough trust to access various business loans that helped her invest in new projects. Finally, IDEAS helped her open a credit card with an institution that welcomed immigrants. She learned how to use it sparingly and pay it off promptly, ensuring she’d never be trapped by high interest rates. Armed with these financial tools, Andrea gained the flexibility and resources her consulting business needed.
The results were remarkable. As Andrea’s business matured, her expertise began to shine through. She started attracting larger clients who respected her for the engineer and problem-solver she was. A prominent firm even offered her a full-time position with benefits—a moment of validation that might have tempted others. But Andrea had discovered something more valuable than security. She had found the freedom and satisfaction of guiding her own career. She chose to remain a consultant, setting up a proper office and hiring an assistant to handle paperwork so she could focus on the skilled work she loved. Every new contract expanded her abilities and professional standing, and with each success, her confidence grew.
Andrea’s story is one of many that point to the power of opportunity. With the right training, guidance, and financial inclusion, she transformed herself from an overlooked immigrant worker into a respected independent professional. She overcame the barriers with help from IDEAS and other organizations committed to helping migrants build a thriving business in Mexico – transforming not only her life, but also the lives of those she cares about most.
It’s often easy for us to take basic services and financial tools for granted, especially if we’ve never lacked access to them. Yet for Andrea, gaining these tools was anything but guaranteed. She also had to contend with the challenges of working as a woman in a profession with mostly men, let alone running her own business. Many of us can relate to some aspect of Andrea’s journey—her struggle to be recognized for her talent, to work on things she cared about, her desire for financial independence and her desire to support the people she loves, who are struggling.
When Andrea began sending money home to Honduras, she helped her family pay for household needs and fund her siblings’ university educations. When her newly graduated sister expressed a desire to join her in Mexico, Andrea understood the significance of this moment, her sister didn’t have to go through the same struggles. She now had the knowledge and experience to support her and if all went well, perhaps her sister might even join her and help her grow the consulting business.
Be Part of the Change
At IDEAS, we’re committed to empowering more families like Andrea’s to overcome barriers and achieve their dreams.
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