Small Business Owners Need ‘Sustainable Development’: Denia Del Valle Barrera, Country Representative of Pro Mujer Posted on February 2, 2026January 31, 2026 By Kekeletso Nkele, small.news Assistant (small.news) — On Jan 21, 2026, our small.talk series continued with Denia Del Valle Barrera, Country Representative of Pro Mujer. Her conversation with Silver Lining CEO Carissa Reiniger focused on how sustainability is a practice all small businesses should adopt. Q: Can you just tell us a bit more about you and Pro Mujer and sort of the journey you’ve been on and the work that you’re focused on? A: Pro Mujer is a social enterprise that, for about 35 years, has worked to create many tools and programs for underserved women in Latin America. Latin America is our focus. The organization was founded in Bolivia, in El Alto, where it’s an indigenous community with lots of potential, but not enough attention. So 35 years ago, two very marvelous women, one from the U.S. and another from Bolivia, created the organization and built a medium-sized organization that works in the region. We have offices in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Bolivia, and Argentina. Recently, we opened one in Colombia, and we hopefully will grow enough to create many offices in all of Latin America. But through technical tools and digitalization, we can communicate and provide our services in the 22 Spanish-speaking countries of the region. Top Stories Jessica Chen on the Creative Economy, Disappearing Arts Funding, and Why Artists Are Small Business Owners On September 23, 2026, Jessica Chen, a dancer, choreographer, and artistic director who runs the nonprofit dance company J Chen Project, joined our small.talk to make the case that artists are small business owners too, and that when creative work thrives, the surrounding community thrives with it. How Small Business Owners Are Actually Using AI to Market Smarter Aishah Coleman, an architecture and interior design business owner, taught an audience through the tools and habits that have reshaped how she runs her marketing — no technical background required. Indonesia’s Cosmetics Exports Rise 13.7% as Government Ramps Up SME Support and Tightens Regulatory Oversight Indonesia’s cosmetics exports reached $473.8 million in 2025, a 13.7% increase from $416.8 million the previous year , as the country’s Ministry of Industry moves to strengthen support for the small businesses that dominate the sector and help them compete in international markets, according to Personal Care Insights. Q: What got you into this work? A: At 18 years, I was a secretary, starting my career. But I was blessed and lucky to find a job at the Guatemalan Development Foundation. It was funny in the beginning because I really did not want to work; I just wanted to focus on my college studies. But an uncle said, you have to go and find a job, do something, not only study, but also do something with your life. So I went to the interview, and my future boss said, I need some help here and I said I can work with you for three months. And in this period of time, you find someone who can help you in the long-term. After a month working with the organization and seeing what they do, I fell in love with it. I ended up working in the organization for nine and a half years. Q: What’s your view of the world right now? A: It’s difficult. But if you really want it, you do it. And I do not expect to change the world or the whole economy, but at least the life of one family, one woman at a time. And I know that with that, eventually the community will change and will be developed. Q: Are there any things that you see that are happening in the world of female empowerment, entrepreneurship, or economic development that you think are really unique or interesting in Latin America right now? A: Latin Americans are brave and resilient. We have experienced wars, some climate change events that destroy complete communities, but we rise. And I think that’s from the bravery and resilience. Latin American people are hard-working and committed to having a better life. Q: In your experience, in the context of Latin America and the work you’ve done, you’ve come at it from so many different angles. What do you think is the most powerful way to create change? A: Well, from the community perspective, they do already have the resources. They live on a beautiful beach or surrounded by lovely natural resources. They already live in there, but they do not know how to manage them. Or the economic resources to build a business that is responsible for that, that will conserve it, but use it to build economic development. So that’s why sustainable tourism is very important, because you provide the communities with all the tools and knowledge on how to manage their resources responsibly and share it with others, and through that generate income. If you provide them with the tools and the opportunity to develop a business for them to be able to generate their resources, you do all these interactions between economic, sustainable development, conservancy, and also a social impact. Q: What are you most worried about, specifically, for small businesses in LATAM? A: Economic uncertainty, rising costs, and limited access they have to affordable financing. I have seen that consumer demand is low. So many small businesses are operating within very thin margins. So even a small shop can threaten their survival. And that’s my main concern. Q: What do you think the opportunity is? A: Digitalization. Access to digital tools, mobile finance, and new markets that allows the small business to become more efficient, reach new customers, and compete in ways that were not possible 10 years ago. Q: If you could wave a magic silver wand and you could use it to make one thing true for every small business, to make one change or one thing different, what would you use the magic silver wand for? A: I would love universal access to affordable, flexible financing with practical business and digital skills. Capital alone is not enough. We need the tools to use it effectively. Q: How can we support you? A: You are already doing it because with this interview, you are helping me amplify the voices of the small business owners. Do you want to shop small? Check out our new buy.small Marketplace! Latest Stories
Jessica Chen on the Creative Economy, Disappearing Arts Funding, and Why Artists Are Small Business Owners On September 23, 2026, Jessica Chen, a dancer, choreographer, and artistic director who runs the nonprofit dance company J Chen Project, joined our small.talk to make the case that artists are small business owners too, and that when creative work thrives, the surrounding community thrives with it.
How Small Business Owners Are Actually Using AI to Market Smarter Aishah Coleman, an architecture and interior design business owner, taught an audience through the tools and habits that have reshaped how she runs her marketing — no technical background required.
Indonesia’s Cosmetics Exports Rise 13.7% as Government Ramps Up SME Support and Tightens Regulatory Oversight Indonesia’s cosmetics exports reached $473.8 million in 2025, a 13.7% increase from $416.8 million the previous year , as the country’s Ministry of Industry moves to strengthen support for the small businesses that dominate the sector and help them compete in international markets, according to Personal Care Insights.