AWBC Supports WBCs in Puerto Rico

AWBC leveraged support from T-Mobile and donated $21,000 to 3 Women's Business Centers impacted by Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico.

WBCs Support Small Businesses in Disaster Affected Communities

WBCs make a difference in the rebuilding efforts following hurricanes, earthquakes and other disasters. Countless small businesses continue to rely on support to rebuild and scale.

PR WBC Locations

Metro Women's Business Center
Bayamon, P.R.
787-993-000 ext. 4310

Centro Empresarial para la Mujer Ana G. Mendez
Gurabo, P.R.
787-743-7979(9) ext. 4824, 4861, o 4864

Centro Empresarial para La Mujer Fundación Sila M. Calderon
Mayaguez, P.R.
787-805-4500

 

 

Stories from local business owners

PR
PR2

"As small business owners, if we think about challenges right now, one of them is the emotional load and stress levels that we have to manage in the face of continuous entrepreneurial challenges. We have had blow after blow for several years... From Maria, earthquakes, pandemic and now Fiona. Continuing to operate and subsist has been titanic... surviving and reinventing ourselves has been the constant normality.

Regarding operational difficulties, the lack of profits is undoubtedly one of the challenges for us and the community in general. Especially the lack of water - without water, it is not possible to run the business. In addition, the challenge of the lack of internet/communications, which does not allow us to charge with cards, and accept only cash, limits the sales capacity. To continue operating, it is necessary to invest in generators and then be managing the supply of diesel or gas, if there are supplies. It becomes a "one day at a time" operation... each day analyzing the challenges and determining whether or not it is possible to open to the public.

In our case at the brewery, the absence of electricity also prevents us from continuing production and also affects wholesale sales, since other business owners, unable to open, do not buy. Likewise, the complications in the shipments and the delays with the load do not allow us to receive the raw material for the production.

We are giving the battle again, but the frustration and draining of the situation is felt every minute. The uncertainty of what is next should not be our day to day."

- Yaritza the Beer Box

 

"Como comerciantes, si pensamos en retos en estos momentos, uno de ellos es la carga emocional y los niveles de estrés que tenemos que manejar ante los continuos retos de operación. Llevamos varios años con golpe tras golpe... Desde María, terremotos, pandemia y ahora Fiona. Continuar operando y subsistir ha sido titánico... sobrevivir y reinventarnos ha sido la constante normalidad.

En cuanto a dificultades operacionales, la falta de utilidades es sin duda uno de los retos para nosotrxs los comerciantes y la comunidad en general. Especialmente la falta de agua, sin agua, no es posible correr el negocio. Además, el reto de la falta de internet/comunicaciones, que no nos permiten cobrar con tarjetas, y aceptar solo efectivo limita la capacidad de venta. Para seguir operando es necesario invertir en generadores y luego estar gestionando el suministro de diésel o gas, si es que hay abastos. Se convierte en una operación de "un día a la vez"... cada día analizar los retos y determinar si es posible o no abrir al público.

En nuestro caso en la cervecería, la ausencia de servicio eléctrico también nos impide continuar con la producción e igualmente afecta las ventas al por mayor, ya que otros comerciantes al no poder abrir, no compran. Igualmente, las complicaciones en los envíos y las tardanzas con la carga no permiten que recibamos la materia prima para la producción.

Estamos dando nuevamente la batalla, pero la frustración y lo drenante de la situación se siente a cada minuto. La incertidumbre de qué es lo próximo no debería ser nuestro día a día."

- Yaritza the Beer Box