INTERVIEW CLARE AND MONI
How are women entrepreneurs seen in Colombian society? There are not many women entrepreneurs but they are increasing in numbers and gaining recognition in our society. This is thanks to their known planning, administration and leadership skills, as well as the exceptional talent that always characterises them, being authentic and empowered as women and as Colombians. What were the main challenges you faced in setting up your company? In Colombia there is a lot of paperwork for the creation of any company, regardless of gender or sexual preference, however in our lifetime we have set up a few businesses in different sectors, and as the latter is in the tourism sector that I am so passionate about, I have not found any barriers. In more general terms, Colombian women entrepreneurs do not encounter many barriers because here entrepreneurship is strongly encouraged and there are many sources of ďŹ nancing, training, and more and more foreign investment is coming, as well as incubators that arrive from all countries to promote and support them. As an openly lesbian couple, what have been the main challenges you faced within your professional and family surroundings? When I came out of the closet, my family apparently accepted it very well and easily digested it. For Moni it was a more complicated issue because her parents were more conservative than mine. It took them time to accept it, but once that stage was overcome, we have received unconditional support and love from both families. Our fathers, mothers and siblings are all still alive and we live in our separate homes in MedellĂn. We are all very independent but very united and integrated at the same time. In the professional environment it has been easy for Moni and I, we have been open with our colleagues and coworkers where we have worked have been very respectful of our sexual orientation and our relationship, just as we have been respectful in being honest
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with them.