In 1997, I founded Inproma, a minority/woman-owned business. At Inproma, we provide logo'd merchandise to improve employee morale, promote company identity, and strengthen customer relations. We personalize hundreds of items including clothing, padfolios, pens, mugs, awards, business cards, and anything else imaginable to build brand identity and create name recognition for our clients.

Prior to my entrepreneurship, I received a master's degree in chemistry from UC Santa Barbara. As you can imagine, I overcame many preconceived notions and stereotypes about Latina women in the sciences. Even to this day, people find it hard to believe that I, a Latina woman, have an advanced organic-chemistry degree. After receiving my master's, I began working professionally as a chemist for Genentech, Inc., a large biotech company in the San Francisco Bay area. After working there for six years, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to do something more. I explored different opportunities within the company and felt unsatisfied with the positions that were available to me. Right then, I decided to take the bold step and become an entrepreneur and change careers altogether. While I was researching business opportunities, my future husband wanted to purchase embroidered shirts-I looked into making them myself. Little did I know that in a few months I would be starting my own embroidery business!

In February 1997, I attended an embroidery conference in San Francisco and a seminar on how to start your own embroidery business. After that event, I could not sleep for days, realizing this was the business I wanted to be in. I was excited and ready to make the leap of faith. The only issue was how to tell my mother. How could I leave a good career? How could I support myself if it was just a hobby? I decided to pursue my business venture against my mother's advice and founded my company, then called Stitch of Class, in 1997.

In the beginning, my greatest accomplishment as an early entrepreneur was creating a successful business in spite of not having a business background. Exposure to the difficulties and challenges facing a new business came within the first six months. However, I succeeded in overcoming these challenges by sheer motivation, dedication, and perseverance. As the word spread, Stitch of Class grew to become more than just an embroidery business. I expanded to become a promotional-products distributor in 2000. I renamed my company Inproma in June 2004 to reflect our broad offerings and better represent the company in the marketplace. I restructured my company as an LLC in February 2005.

To drive my business towards stability, I maintained two jobs and kept costs down while sustaining profitability during those crucial first years. One of the first things I did to increase business was to contact my previous co-workers at Genentech; Genentech subsequently became one of my biggest clients. My company was initially funded from my personal savings, and equipment was leased. Since then, I have been able to get a line of credit, purchase new equipment, move to a commercial location, and hire additional employees.

With the help of my 2005 grant from the Anna Maria Memorial Business Fund, I have been able to continue my managerial education and become a better manager to my employees. I was also able to afford continuing education for my employees. Empowered with continuing education, they will in turn continue to contribute to the growth of the business. As the business continues to grow, we would like to continue to help in the community and contribute to Latina scholarships.

Being an entrepreneur is the hardest career decision I have ever made. But I can't imagine doing anything else. My advice to other Latina women considering leaving corporate America to start their own business would be to start small, save some money, find a mentor, and most of all be passionate about what you choose to do. Don't be afraid. It is important to do what you are passionate about. You never know what tomorrow will bring. "Con perserverancia viene el triunfo."

By Regina Munroe