Ebony’s story epitomizes the transformative potential of strategic support and mentorship for women and intergenerational family businesses. “One of the most valuable insights we gained from Bpeace was learning how to make our money work for us,” Ebony explains.
Despite its domestic success, Grupo JOMI faced challenges in expanding internationally, particularly in the competitive U.S. market. Key challenges included formulating a clear strategy for international expansion, navigating regulatory requirements for product registrations in export markets, and effectively marketing and selling products abroad. The company recognized the need for expert guidance to overcome these hurdles and capitalize on the opportunity to expand its reach.
The roots of this partnership trace back a few years to when Karen Vander Linde, an executive at PwC and later at Merryck (now The ExCo Group), began sharing her expertise and skills with Bpeace, providing invaluable guidance to businesses in Guatemala and El Salvador.
A captivating haven blending nature and adventure, Hotel Michanti opened its doors in 2017 with one clear aim: to ensure guests never forget El Salvador. Positioned in Playa El Zonte, it quickly gained prominence as a sought-after destination for travelers and surf enthusiasts.
After leaving the corporate world in 2019, I craved a way to use my skills to make a positive impact beyond the bottom line. I knew I wanted to volunteer more, and a networking engagement led me to Bpeace, a nonprofit focused on creating jobs in crisis-affected areas and expanding the economic empowerment of women.
Lisa Bowers decided to join Bpeace after being inspired by friend and board member Liz Wald. Reflecting on her journey, Lisa shares that she had been reading Liz’s annual letters for a few years and was inspired by her stories of helping smaller businesses with various challenges.