About ELLA
Our Mission
To serve Latina entrepreneurs as they advance in business or start a business. With the mentorship of industry experts and leaders, the program guides participants step-by-step to achieve their individual annual business goals.
What is Ella?
The ELLA program (Entrepreneurship Latina Leaders of America) was designed to help female entrepreneurs and micro-entrepreneurs advance in business or start a business. With the mentorship of industry experts and leaders, the program guides participants step-by-step to achieve a specific goal set by each participant.
ELLA participants meet monthly with guest speakers provided by volunteers from SCORE and Pathway Lending. Mentors are provided to each participant for the eight month term. These mentoring sessions happen twice monthly. Participants who complete the mentorship sessions, attend monthly meetings, complete the individual learning modules from Pathway, and participate in Chamber networking events are eligible to receive prizes provided by TLACC members and the annual cash award provided by sponsors.
The curriculum includes workshops and one on one sessions on:
Writing a business plan
Financial planning
Quickbooks
Creating and managing a website
Social media
Networking
Time management
Bootstrap marketing
And much more
Program requirements are simple:
Have a business idea, or an existing business
Looking for help to grow your business
Committed to attending workshops and mentoring sessions
Join the Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce as a professional
Participate in TLACC networking events
Our Story
Marcela Gomez, TLACC president from 2013 to 2019, began ELLA in 2014 as a result of so many requests for help understanding the US business model, and a focus on helping others succeed in business.
Since 2014, ELLA has mentored and supported more than fifty Latina entrepreneurs. A special thanks to our partner organizations, the Nashville SCORE chapter and Pathway Women’s Business Center.
Businesses who have participated include: singer/songwriters, fitness studios, photographers, graphic designer, an imprint company, caterers, a children’s talk show, cleaning companies, construction companies, photographers, restaurateurs, artists, clothing designers, seamstresses, home health care professionals.