Together We are Stronger: When Women Support Women

Is it possible that an exchange of expertise between two women entrepreneurs could transform a small business for the benefit of Bolivian women entrepreneurs?

Although separated by thousands of kilometers, two women have seen their paths cross thanks to their entrepreneurial spirit and chocolate! One is a successful entrepreneur in Canada, Elfi Maldonado of Qantu, and the other is Alejandra Marquez, a visionary Bolivian entrepreneur working to establish her own chocolate venture with Saltus Chocolate.

La Paz, Bolivia's capital, with its unique backdrop of snow-capped mountains and cable cars running through the city, was the meeting point for the two visionaries.

Through CECI's Volunteer Cooperation Program, Elfi Maldonado served as a business development advisor. This project is part of the collaboration between CECI and the Bolivian Chamber of Businesswomen (CAMEBOL) as part of the Women entrepreneurs in Solidarity initiative, which fosters a reciprocal exchange of experience between Canadian and Bolivian women entrepreneurs, based on listening, trust and mutual respect. In this coaching dynamic, each participant is both mentor and mentee, exploring together innovative business models and enriching cultural realities.

When Canadian and Bolivian Entrepreneurship Meet

Having overcome the challenges of immigrating to Canada, Elfi Maldonado is a leading figure in Montreal's chocolate industry. By choosing to use exclusively Peruvian cocoa in her products, she directly supports cocoa-producing families in marginalized areas of Peru, while helping to improve their incomes.

For her part, Alejandra Marquez nurtured the dream of launching her own chocolate company based on Bolivian cocoa, with the aim of highlighting the quality of her country's cocoa. Over time, Saltus Chocolate has become a platform that supports women cocoa producers, while contributing to gender equality and the economic empowerment of local communities.

Both entrepreneurs share essential commitments to the economic empowerment of women, both in Bolivia and Peru. Their passion for transforming cocoa into chocolate goes hand in hand with a profound respect for the environment, the promotion of gender equality and a commitment to fair wages for local producers.

A Decisive Exchange of Expertise 

"It was a mutual learning experience. I remember my beginnings in the world of chocolate, and the journey I've been through has served me as a key tool in advising Alejandra. I know that, as women, we need to collaborate with each other, inspire each other and move forward in making our dreams come true," confides Elfi Maldonado after the experience. 

This program enabled Elfi and Alejandra to work closely together, exchanging their knowledge and experience in cocoa production. In the space of two weeks, they shared their respective perspectives, with each entrepreneur contributing her expertise to the other. Elfi's advice enabled Alejandra to identify new opportunities for the development of her business, while Elfi enriched her strategic approach by discovering solutions adapted to the Bolivian context. This reciprocal exchange was beneficial to both, strengthening their respective visions and practices. 

Alejandra and Elfi, inspecting raw cocoa beans. 

Concrete Results 

Since their collaboration, Alejandra's company has considerably improved the quality of its chocolate and reduced production times, while Alejandra has invested in new technologies to improve the cocoa roasting process. 

"Women entrepreneurs must persist. We'll fall a thousand times, but we must get up a thousand and one times. Let's keep our dream in mind, build it and pursue it every day," concludes Alejandra Márquez. 

Through their encounter, these women illustrate the importance of mutual support between women entrepreneurs, a support that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries for the good of all. 

This story is based on the activities of the Volunteer Cooperation Program carried out in partnership with the Government of Canada.

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