He has been tutoring SMEs for 30 years.
99% of the companies are mainly small and also medium, both in Spain and in the rest of Europe and the USA. 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 would be more women entrepreneurs, and it is still going on.
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 with absolute speed.
What does it refer to?
Now it’s your turn to manage, now to sell, now to negotiate, now to look after… It’s innate, because a woman does many things at the same time. The ability to take risks and make decisions is always the most important thing to work with them, and that they assume that they can fail.
What is the most difficult for them?
You have to spend ten minutes listening to her casuistry, because I haven’t seen a woman who doesn’t have a social task to fulfill. Whether you’re single, divorced or widowed, there’s always someone to take care of. But when she gets down to it, there’s no one to stop her.
She has mentored over 5,000 women.
Yes, and we started 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 workplace and be self-sufficient. The dignity of people passes through this point.
I already 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.
He must have treasured thousands of stories.
I have also seen how many of these women’s husbands and partners, upon seeing their success, asked for mentorship with me. They told me that his wife didn’t have a resume, but that they did.
Stealing the spotlight from the lady.
I insisted that they wait for the men’s mentorship to be created. Women know how to share and collaborate, this makes them feel stronger when they start.
Do they come to you with low self-esteem?
Yes, they think they can’t get their idea off the ground.
What has been your approach?
Starting a business is very expensive, you need not only funding but also a lot of energy, perseverance, many sleepless nights. It is necessary to help to start and especially to consolidate. The entrepreneur meets with two or three mentors, each from a different discipline.
And luxury.
When I look for great entrepreneurs to act as mentors, I ask them to narrate those decisive moments that they usually tell their son or daughter without them paying attention, and it’s exciting for everyone.
Tell me about an entrepreneur you like.
A woman who could neither read nor write, her mother cleaned at the Town Hall and told her that they were going to change the Saló de Cent flags, and the daughter got the contract.
Did they start a flag company?
Yes, she only knew how to sew. I accompanied her to the bank, we did the formalities and she sold flags all over Spain being illiterate, but with a great character.
Have you had to fight with banks?
Yes, I remember some girls who wanted to create a laundry in 1986 and the bank told them that if they did not come with their husbands they would not give them the loan.
…!
Unbelievable, 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 funding. In the US it’s so different…!
Does the bank encourage you there?
“We’ll see what it failed so it doesn’t 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.
He graduated in Chemical Sciences.
At the University of Michigan, but then it turned out I was allergic to benzene and had to quit the profession.
And he decided to switch to entrepreneurship.
I was the first woman with children to do a master’s degree at IESE. Then I worked in a Japanese bank until I started my own bank. Then my direction was women’s SMEs.
What did he aspire to?
To grow my program to create a company and the school for women entrepreneurs. The most satisfying thing in life is to give to others what you have learned.
