Valeria Labrador and Silvana Quintero from Children Business Fest program, share their personal and professional experiences, from being immigrants at a very young age to having successful entrepreneurships. Join us on this inspiring conversation and explore the insights of these girls talking about overcoming failures, financing management, how they pursue to create a better country and a better world and more.
Hey everybody, it’s Matthew Hines, and we are back with another Hines On Air podcast. Today, we have a special presentation for you. Before we start, let me give you a brief introduction. Our company here in Atlanta has partnered with a group called Children’s Business Fest. Children’s Business Fest works with young entrepreneurs, helping them get their companies up and running, and supporting them in flourishing and prospering with their own businesses.
Today, we have two superstars from Children’s Business Fest. They have their own podcast and have been doing it for a while now. They’ve learned a lot and are here to share their experiences with us. Although they’re younger than most of our entrepreneurs, don’t let that fool you—they have lots of valuable information, and you’re going to learn something today. So, let’s get started. Can you both introduce yourselves to everyone?
Silvana: Well, I’m Silvana Quintero, and I’m the CEO of Chihuahua Hot Dogs. I sell hot dogs, and I’m one of the hosts of Children Business on PV.
Valeria: And I’m Valeria Labrador, the CEO of Valeria’s Sweet Treats. I’m also one of the hosts of Children Business on PV.
Matthew: Nice! So it’s on TV too?
Valeria: Yes, it is.
Matthew: Oh wow, so it’s not just a podcast; you actually have a TV program.
Valeria: Yes, that’s right.
Matthew: That’s awesome. Silvana, let’s start with you. How long have you had your company?
Silvana: I’ve had my business for about three months. It’s fairly new, but I’ve been involved in business activities for a longer time with my previous company, Pinky Arts.
Matthew: Tell us more about Pinky Arts.
Silvana: Pinky Arts is where I create portraits, paintings, and posters. I still run it alongside my new company, Chihuahua Hot Dogs. I started Chihuahua Hot Dogs because I love hot dogs and wanted to combine my love for food with my passion for business.
Matthew: What made you venture out into the food business?
Silvana: I realized that the food industry is really popular and has a lot of potential. I wanted to have another business aside from Pinky Arts, and since I love food, I thought, why not start a hot dog company?
Matthew: Great! How do you sell your hot dogs?
Silvana: I sell them at events, and I’m planning to start doing deliveries and offering catering services for birthday parties.
Matthew: Sounds exciting! Valeria, tell us about your company.
Valeria: I started Valeria’s Sweet Treats about two years ago with Children’s Business Fest. I make and sell obleas, which are like cookies with various toppings. I also go to events and birthday parties. In the future, I want to create my own line of gymnastics clothes because I’m a gymnast.
Matthew: That’s amazing! So you have a vision for expanding your business into a new product line. That’s great. What have you both learned since starting your businesses?
Valeria: I’ve learned a lot, especially about managing money and staying committed even when things get tough. At first, I was nervous and worried about failing, but I realized that making mistakes is part of the learning process.
Silvana: I agree. One of the key things I’ve learned is to keep going no matter what. Even if you make a mistake or face a challenge, it’s important to stay dedicated and keep improving.
Matthew: That’s excellent advice. Many people are afraid of failure and never get started because of it. You both have learned to overcome that fear and keep moving forward. Can you share any specific strategies or advice for young entrepreneurs?
Valeria: Never give up. Even if people tell you that you can’t do it, use that as motivation to prove them wrong. Stay determined and focused on your goals.
Silvana: Make sure you have the support of your parents or guardians. If they don’t support you, find a way to show them that you can achieve your dreams. Also, follow your passion. Don’t pursue something just because others want you to. Follow what makes you happy and what you believe in.
Matthew: That’s very insightful. How do you both handle your finances?
Valeria: We learned about the «four legs of the pig» strategy. It involves dividing your money into four categories: investment, donation, fun, and savings. The biggest portion goes into investments to help grow your business.
Matthew: That’s a great way to manage finances. It ensures that you are reinvesting in your business while also saving for the future and having some fun. You both mentioned having big goals, including helping your home country, Venezuela. Can you tell us more about that?
Valeria: Yes, Venezuela is not in the best state right now, and we want to help improve it. We want to use our success to inspire change and bring better opportunities to the people there.
Silvana: We want to see Venezuela thrive again. Our goal is to help improve the economy and provide better futures for the next generation. We believe that by being successful here, we can take our success back to Venezuela and make a positive impact.
Matthew: That’s a wonderful goal. It’s inspiring to see young entrepreneurs with such a strong sense of purpose. Any final advice for young entrepreneurs out there?
Valeria: Believe in yourself and your dreams. Stay committed and work hard. Surround yourself with supportive people who believe in you.
Silvana: Don’t let obstacles stop you. Follow your dreams and make them a reality. Keep learning, keep growing, and always stay positive.
Matthew: Thank you both for sharing your experiences and insights. It’s been a pleasure having you on the show. I believe you both have bright futures ahead. Thank you for joining us today.
Valeria & Silvana: Thank you for having us!
Matthew: Alright, everybody, I hope you’ve enjoyed this episode of Hines On Air. If you haven’t already, please follow us and subscribe to the channel. We look forward to seeing you in the next episode.