Small Latina-owned businesses are extending a helping hand to provide tools to people that keeps them safer from COVID-19.

Some of these businesses include Azteca Negra and Sololi Shop. These two are lifestyle brands that provide Latino-sourced and handmade materials, such as home decorations and jewelry.

When they heard that the world needs facemasks, they decided to extend their scope of work for the cause. By making use of the available materials they have, they started creating as much face masks as they can, says an article.


Help Amid COVID-19

The founder of Azteca Negra, Marisol Catchings, had posted on social media on March 29 about the first masks she produced. She specified that the masks were for healthcare workers.

Norma Saavedra started making masks for her family members who were working as healthcare frontline workers. She made masks for them because of the shortage of PPEs in their facilities. After having some excess masks, she asked Marisol to use social media to offer free masks to healthcare and other frontline workers. This had led them to launch 'Masks for Healthcare.'

Isabel Amigon, the owner and founder of Sololi Shop, stated that she never thought that her business would be making face masks. However, she knew that she had to give back to the community in any way that they could.

For every mask that they sell, they donate $5 to Adelante Student Voices. Adelante Student Voices is a not-for-profit organization. It gives a safe place for undocumented migrant children in rural areas and upstate New York. The shop had already donated $585 to Adelante Student Voices.


The Demand

For both businesses, being able to provide for the needs of their community was one of the primary reasons for starting their own business. That is why the production of masks in their operations is the best way to meet the demands amid COVID-19.

Since the demand for masks had been high, their one-time decision to sell masks had grown into something bigger than what they have expected.


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Doing Business Amid COVID-19

Creating a team during the COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult task. These challenges include ensuring that all the staff can take care of themselves and obey social distancing guidelines.

Sololi Shop and Azteca Negra have always been shown love and support from their community. However, they mostly feel it now that they are helping the community from the threats brought by the current pandemic.

The community supports them through purchasing masks, link sharing, and donating. The donations they receive helps them buy more fabrics. This allows their businesses to extend help beyond their communities.

Amigon's efforts help fund for undocumented communities which were not able to receive relief efforts. On the other hand, Catchings' efforts are helping offset the cost of giving masks to healthcare frontline workers.