Taking it’s name from the initiative designed to support social and economic empowerment for underserved women, Women Empowered (WE) Boutique is a collectively run shop of ten local independent women owned micro-enterprises.
The storefront on 43rd Street south of University Avenue opened last October, growing out of Project Concern International’s (PCI) financial savings group.
The boutique is supported by PCI as the entrepreneurs grow, offering training workshops on business management, financials, as well as, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Cecilia Mendoza of Magic Sea Jewelry and Accessories got started producing leather bracelets adorned with the charms popular where she grew up in central Mexico.
“My great, great grandma: when a baby’s born she would get a red bracelet, or anything red, and she’d tie her hand,” Mendoza said.
As the babies got older the elder would gift more charms for spiritual protection.
Mendoza found a customer base in the US for such good luck charms. She sells handmade jewelry with Catholic and Buddhist icons.
Family can be found in many of the items at the boutique.
In El Malacate’s section, Judith Narvaez vends clothing made by her family in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Auren Aranda, who runs the in-house espresso cart Au Gourmet Coffee, sells granola from a modified version of her mother’s recipe.
At their weekly group meeting they talk about how to collaborate more effectively with their marketing efforts, sharing resources for social media training and opportunities to connect with new customers.
“Being all together and helping each other,” said Aranda, “I think it also makes it a very unique place, because we all learn from each other.”
WE Boutique is located at Suite 130 of the City Heights Center, 4305 University Avenue.
Video: Brian Myers, Media Arts Center San Diego.