LIMONIQUE – Empowering Artisan Women in Latin America
The idea of Limonique came to co-founders Liliana Zylbersztejn and Monica Rodriguez, because of their common passion. They are two friends who design jewelry and share a vision. They are committed to help jewelry women-artisans around the world. They began their venture with a group of women-artisans from Colombia, but their vision goes far over Latin America.
They soon realized that the group of women from Colombia, were mostly single women, heads of families and some had been mistreated, and abused…. Their idea was more than a business, it was going to become the hope for a good future for many women. Materials like Colombian chaquiras, gold plated copper, and steel, crystals, murano glass, leather and silk threads are some of the elements they use to produce their art. They launched Limonique and was very well accepted. It soon became a favorite among clients who look for high-end, artisan jewelry. They were invite to participate as vendors at the Latina Biz Expo and found out about all the programs and resources NEW Women’s Business Center has to offer entrepreneurs and business people. Liliana and Monica enrolled in the WBC on the Road 12 Steps program in Spanish. A program that takes you on a journey from a business idea to a business plan. NEW WBC has provided them 9 consulting sessions with focus on business management, online sales and cashflow.
They have participated in 3 NEW – WBC expo events that have helped them to promote their business and also do networking. All this has resulted in a rapidly-growing and they have just launched a men’s collection, an idea proposed by one of the artisans in Colombia. Future plans for Limonique include new collections that will come to life from the fusion of their designs with women artisans from Perú, México and Bolivia. You can visit their webpage at www.limonique.com
by Lilian C. Alger
