We Are La Cocina | Alma Rodriguez and Lamees Dahbour | Talks at Google

TL;DR

La Cocina is an organization that provides affordable commercial kitchen space and technical assistance to talented entrepreneurs, primarily women, who face barriers in the food industry. The organization aims to transition these entrepreneurs from the informal to the formal economy, creating a more inclusive and vibrant economy.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] SPEAKER: Please join me in welcoming this amazing group to Google today. [APPLAUSE] I know a good host when I see one, so I'm going to hand the mic to Caleb and know that you are in exceptional hands. CALEB: Thank you. [APPLAUSE] Hi, guys. So my name's Caleb. I've been lucky enough to work at La Cocina since 2005, which is the year ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧔‍♀️ La Cocina supports talented entrepreneurs, primarily women and women of color, in the food industry, aiming to create a more inclusive and vibrant economy.
• 👾 The organization provides affordable commercial kitchen space and technical assistance to help entrepreneurs transition to the formal economy.
• 🙍‍♀️ La Cocina has successfully graduated 55 businesses, with the majority being women-owned and women of color-led.
• 😋 Women face barriers to entry in the food industry, including unequal pay and limited business ownership opportunities.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main goal of La Cocina?

The main goal of La Cocina is to support talented entrepreneurs, primarily women and women of color, in overcoming barriers to entry in the food industry and transitioning to the formal economy.

Q: How does La Cocina help entrepreneurs?

La Cocina provides entrepreneurs with access to affordable commercial kitchen space and technical assistance, allowing them to scale their businesses and generate assets for their families.

Q: What are some of the challenges faced by women in the food industry?

Women face barriers to entry in the food industry, with less than 25% of business ownership and unequal pay compared to men. Women of color face even higher barriers to entry.

Q: How has La Cocina helped entrepreneurs succeed in the food industry?

La Cocina has graduated 55 businesses, many of which have gone on to successfully open restaurants. The organization provides the support and resources needed to overcome barriers and achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• La Cocina was founded with the belief that talented entrepreneurs, especially women and women of color, face barriers to entry in the food industry.

• The organization provides affordable commercial kitchen space and technical assistance to help these entrepreneurs transition from the informal to the formal economy.

• La Cocina has graduated 55 businesses, with 97% being women-owned and 85% being women of color.