He has been tutoring SMEs for 30 years.
99% of companies are mainly small and also medium-sized, both in Spain and in the rest of Europe and in the US SMEs are the backbone of the economy.
Why did you specialize in women?
In 1987 Pasqual Maragall called me to get European funds and design a program so that there were more women entrepreneurs, and it continues.
What is the fundamental idea that has made it survive?
The basis of my program is that any idea is good until proven otherwise.
Do women bring something different?
They are able to change hats very quickly.
What is it referring to?
Now it's your turn to manage, now to sell, now to negotiate, care... It's something innate, because a woman does many things at the same time. The ability to risk and make decisions is always what needs to be worked on the most, and that they assume that they can fail.
What is the most difficult for them?
You have to dedicate ten minutes to listen to her casuistry, because I have not seen any woman who does not have a social task to fulfill. Whether single, divorced or widowed, there is always someone she has to take care of. But once she gets in, there's no stopping her.
He has mentored over 5,000 women.
Yes, and we start with 15. I have learned that the problems that women have, often within the family, are solved when they are able to create their own job and be self-sufficient. The dignity of people goes through there.
I understand.
Many husbands insisted that what they earned was enough, but they kept going, and when the crisis came, thanks to them the family survived.
It must treasure thousands of stories.
I have also seen many of the husbands and partners of these women rebound, upon seeing their success, they asked me for a mentorship. They told me that his wife did not have a resume, but that they did.
Stealing the limelight from his lady.
I urged them to wait for men's mentoring to be created. Women know how to share and collaborate, that makes them feel stronger when they start.
Do they come to you with low self-esteem?
Yes, they think they won't be able to get their idea off the ground.
What has been your approach?
Starting a company is very expensive, you need not only financing but also a lot of energy, perseverance, many sleepless nights. We must help to start and above all to consolidate. The entrepreneur meets with two or three mentors, each from a different discipline.
A luxury.
When I go to look for great businessmen to act as a mentor or mentor, I ask them to narrate those decisive moments that they usually tell their son or daughter without paying attention to them, and it is exciting for everyone.
Tell me about the case of an entrepreneur you like.
A woman who could neither read nor write, her mother cleaned in the Town Hall and told her that they were going to change the flags of the Saló de Cent, and the daughter got the contract.
Did they create a flag company?
Yes, she only knew how to sew. I accompanied her to the bank, we did her paperwork and she sold flags all over Spain, being illiterate, but with great character.
Have you had to fight with banks?
Yes, I remember some girls who wanted to set up a laundry in 1986 and the bank told them that if they did not come with their husbands they would not give them credit.
¡…!
Incredible, yes. After a lot of fighting we got it. On many occasions the College of Engineers asked us for the signature of the husband, father or brother to provide financing. How different from the US!
Does the bank encourage you there?
"We are going to see what has failed so that it does not happen again," they tell you. They help you and give you credit. Here if you fail they advise you to dedicate yourself to something else.
You graduated in Chemistry.
At the University of Michigan, but then it turned out that I had a benzene allergy and had to leave the profession.
And he decided to switch to entrepreneurship.
I was the first woman with children to do a master's degree at IESE. Later I worked in a Japanese bank until I created my own bank. Then my path was women's SMEs.
What did he want?
Grow my program to create a business and the school for women entrepreneurs. The most satisfying thing in life is giving to others what you have learned.
