Tag: 3BL

As originally published by GoDaddy’s Venture Forward Research Initiative

The big fact

The number of women-owned microbusinesses has continued to increase in both the U.S. and U.K. according to the GoDaddy Venture Forward U.S. National Survey conducted in August 2023 (n=3,525). As a result, the gender gap narrowed. More than half (51%) of microbusiness owners in the U.S. are women, increasing by 10% in the last two years, and up 25% relative to where it started in 2019. And 42% of microbusiness owners in the U.K. are women, up 33% in the last two years.

Gender parity in business growth could boost the global GDP (Gross Domestic Product) by as much as 2 to 3% ($2 trillion) and generate 288 to 433 million jobs, according to a Citi analysis.

Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs

Of the microbusinesses owned by a Black entrepreneur, over half in the U.S. (68%) and U.K. (60%) are Black women, according to GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research initiative. Since 2020, the share of Black women-owned businesses out of all microbusinesses grew 70%, making them the fastest growing demographic.

Click here to learn more about the growth of Black women microbusiness owners.

Business size doesn’t matter

Women are narrowing the gender gap with smaller businesses and less funds.

In the U.S., the most popular aspiration for women (40%) is to be a solopreneur and stay small.For both the U.S. and U.K., women needed less capital to get started than men. In the U.S., 74% of women needed $5K or less, compared to 60% of men. In the U.K., 80% of women needed £5K or less, compared to 69% of men.

The research

GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research initiative analyzes more than 20 million online businesses with a digital presence (measured by a unique domain and an active website). Most of these businesses employ fewer than ten people, categorizing each as a microbusiness. While these microbusinesses may be small, their impact on economies is outsized even though they are often too informal or too new to show up in traditional government statistics.

Since 2018, Venture Forward surveyed more than 36,000 small business owners with a digital presence, making it the source for microbusiness data and insights.

Taco Bell blog

At Taco Bell, our Brand Values (Be Fan-Led, Be People-First, Be Fearless, Be Different) are found and reflected in everything we do. This season, we’re highlighting core value #2, Be Fearless. Being fearless means that we champion self-creative expression, which inspires and enables the world to Live Más. Take a look below to see how our Taco Bell Community embodies the Be Fearless core value!

Taco Bell Corp.’s Restaurant General Manager (#031634) Cassandra learned to be fearless at a very young age.

“I was born and raised in Los Angeles to a family of seven. I had a tough upbringing because I came from a place of financial hardships and substance abuse. Over the years, we faced a lot of tough situations, with my youngest sister passing away at 13 due to an illness she was born with, and myself getting pregnant at 16 with my first daughter while homeless living in my husband’s truck.”

Cassandra had to adapt to many scary situations, which taught her to be resilient and embody a growth mindset. In search of a better life and opportunity for her and her daughter, she found herself moving to Bakersfield and finding Taco Bell!

“From the interview process to orientation and training, it was all very welcoming. I immediately fell in love with the culture because it just gave me the warm family feeling right away.”

Currently, as a mother of five, Cassandra works hard to put her best foot forward. Her creative self-expression is taking what she’s dealt with in her personal life and sharing it with those around her through motivational content that she finds.

”I always try and hear my team members out, whether it’s by offering advice to those who might need it, or just simply boosting someone’s morale because everyone goes through different things. Not only does this help me grow as a person, but also create a connection with others by understanding them. On the daily, I try and bring some form of positivity to the group, hoping it brings a smile on everyone’s face or opens a door for conversation.”

When it comes to championing self-expression, Cassandra believes that everyone has the FIRE! in them to do so, it’s just about finding and using it.

“I try to share that approaching any tough situations with determination will enable you to be even stronger for future challenges. At the same time, finding an outlet to share that same determination and letting your guard down will help you showcase what you believe in.”

Taco Bell blog

At Taco Bell, our Brand Values (Be Fan-Led, Be People-First, Be Fearless, Be Different) are found and reflected in everything we do. This season, we’re highlighting core value #2, Be Fearless. Being fearless means that we champion self-creative expression, which inspires and enables the world to Live Más. Take a look below to see how our Taco Bell Community embodies the Be Fearless core value!

Taco Bell Corp.’s Restaurant General Manager (#031634) Cassandra learned to be fearless at a very young age.

“I was born and raised in Los Angeles to a family of seven. I had a tough upbringing because I came from a place of financial hardships and substance abuse. Over the years, we faced a lot of tough situations, with my youngest sister passing away at 13 due to an illness she was born with, and myself getting pregnant at 16 with my first daughter while homeless living in my husband’s truck.”

Cassandra had to adapt to many scary situations, which taught her to be resilient and embody a growth mindset. In search of a better life and opportunity for her and her daughter, she found herself moving to Bakersfield and finding Taco Bell!

“From the interview process to orientation and training, it was all very welcoming. I immediately fell in love with the culture because it just gave me the warm family feeling right away.”

Currently, as a mother of five, Cassandra works hard to put her best foot forward. Her creative self-expression is taking what she’s dealt with in her personal life and sharing it with those around her through motivational content that she finds.

”I always try and hear my team members out, whether it’s by offering advice to those who might need it, or just simply boosting someone’s morale because everyone goes through different things. Not only does this help me grow as a person, but also create a connection with others by understanding them. On the daily, I try and bring some form of positivity to the group, hoping it brings a smile on everyone’s face or opens a door for conversation.”

When it comes to championing self-expression, Cassandra believes that everyone has the FIRE! in them to do so, it’s just about finding and using it.

“I try to share that approaching any tough situations with determination will enable you to be even stronger for future challenges. At the same time, finding an outlet to share that same determination and letting your guard down will help you showcase what you believe in.”

MILWAUKEE, April 17, 2024 /3BL/ – Northwestern Mutual, a leading financial services company, today announced the release of its 2023 Sustainability and Social Impact Report: A Better Tomorrow. The report shares details on the 167-year-old company’s investments in five key areas: delivering financial security and expanding financial access, investing in communities, strengthening a culture of belonging, reducing environmental impact and earning trust through corporate governance and accountability.

“Our sustainability and social impact actions demonstrate our commitment to progress over pledges,” said Grady Crosby, vice president, chief sustainability and impact officer, Northwestern Mutual. “In 2023, we continued to expand our ambition to meet the changing needs of our stakeholders by investing in a broad range of initiatives, technologies and solutions that support a better tomorrow for all.”

Impactful commitments and growth metrics notated in the report include:

Delivering financial security and expanding financial access: Driven by its mission to improve lives through financial security, the company increased its Impact Investment Fund to $175M to expand access to capital for entrepreneurs in underserved communities; and continued efforts through Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures to reach $20M goal each for investing in women and African American/Black entrepreneursInvesting in communities and causes: $3.5M dedicated to help residents in underserved communities become homeowners in Milwaukee, $60M+ invested in Milwaukee-area students over 25+ years, and $50M+ donated since 2012 to support the search for better treatments and cures for childhood cancer through the Northwestern Mutual FoundationStrengthening a culture of belonging: over one-third of employees participate in employee resources groups, 83% employees say their managers understand their professional goals, and 30% of corporate employees are people of color—the highest percentage in company historyReducing environmental impact: 75% of construction waste from the company’s updated North Office Building to be diverted from landfills and 40%+ of corporate office space is LEED Gold certified

Northwestern Mutual is committed to driving positive, lasting outcomes for generations to come. The company’s full report can be downloaded here.

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what’s most important. With over $627 billion of total assets being managed across the company’s institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, more than $36 billion in revenues, and $2.3 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 111 on the 2023 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE® as one of the “World’s Most Admired” life insurance companies in 2024.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “Advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

MILWAUKEE, April 17, 2024 /3BL/ – Northwestern Mutual, a leading financial services company, today announced the release of its 2023 Sustainability and Social Impact Report: A Better Tomorrow. The report shares details on the 167-year-old company’s investments in five key areas: delivering financial security and expanding financial access, investing in communities, strengthening a culture of belonging, reducing environmental impact and earning trust through corporate governance and accountability.

“Our sustainability and social impact actions demonstrate our commitment to progress over pledges,” said Grady Crosby, vice president, chief sustainability and impact officer, Northwestern Mutual. “In 2023, we continued to expand our ambition to meet the changing needs of our stakeholders by investing in a broad range of initiatives, technologies and solutions that support a better tomorrow for all.”

Impactful commitments and growth metrics notated in the report include:

Delivering financial security and expanding financial access: Driven by its mission to improve lives through financial security, the company increased its Impact Investment Fund to $175M to expand access to capital for entrepreneurs in underserved communities; and continued efforts through Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures to reach $20M goal each for investing in women and African American/Black entrepreneursInvesting in communities and causes: $3.5M dedicated to help residents in underserved communities become homeowners in Milwaukee, $60M+ invested in Milwaukee-area students over 25+ years, and $50M+ donated since 2012 to support the search for better treatments and cures for childhood cancer through the Northwestern Mutual FoundationStrengthening a culture of belonging: over one-third of employees participate in employee resources groups, 83% employees say their managers understand their professional goals, and 30% of corporate employees are people of color—the highest percentage in company historyReducing environmental impact: 75% of construction waste from the company’s updated North Office Building to be diverted from landfills and 40%+ of corporate office space is LEED Gold certified

Northwestern Mutual is committed to driving positive, lasting outcomes for generations to come. The company’s full report can be downloaded here.

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what’s most important. With over $627 billion of total assets being managed across the company’s institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, more than $36 billion in revenues, and $2.3 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 111 on the 2023 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE® as one of the “World’s Most Admired” life insurance companies in 2024.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “Advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

Eastman

Brands need authentic, research-based messaging to sell sustainable materials. That’s the message Eastman and Procter & Gamble shared at a joint breakout session at the Sustainable Brands 2023 conference in San Diego. The companies focused on their partnership for data-driven sustainability marketing.

“We know sustainability alone doesn’t sell,” said Justin Coates, global consumer insights and marketing leader at Eastman. “It seals the deal, but customers value other aspects like safety and performance. Authenticity is the key to sustainability messaging. If you can communicate those features and seal the deal with sustainability, you create brand loyalty. Our partners want to win customers, and we know the formula to do that through years of experience and insights.”

Coates and Anne Morris, senior marketing communications account manager for circular integration at Eastman, spoke during the session. They were joined by Rachel Zipperian, scientific communication director from P&G.

Eastman and P&G have collaborated since 2021, when P&G’s hair care brand, Herbal Essences, was looking for a partner to help it increase the sustainability of its primary packaging. Herbal Essences scientists found Eastman’s molecular recycling technologies and quickly recognized Eastman was the strong partner they needed for both product materials and sustainability messaging.

Herbal Essences worked with Eastman to create bottles made with 50% certified recycled content.* The companies have continued to collaborate and recently completed customized consumer research using insights from 4,000 consumers across the U.S., U.K., Germany and France. They identified the top sustainability claims that resonated with consumers of various P&G hair care and oral care brands. The research found brands should make their products’ sustainability benefits specific and tangible to the consumer.

Together, Eastman, Herbal Essences and other P&G brands will use these insights to craft authentic sustainability messaging that resonates with consumers and strengthens brand loyalty.

“If you’re shopping for hair care, the first thing you want to know about is not what’s in the bottle content,” Zipperian said during the session, which was sponsored by Eastman. “You want to know, ‘What’s it going to do for my hair?’ So, figuring out the priority of communication is also something that’s challenging, and the Eastman team and their insights have helped us understand that sometimes one message doesn’t fit everyone.”

During the Sustainable Brands session, the Eastman and P&G representatives discussed how to create strategic sustainability messages that address consumer needs and are connected to a larger corporate sustainability story. Attendees learned how to differentiate their messaging through brand voice and consumer and market insights.

“At Eastman, we know collaboration fuels sustainable solutions,” Morris said. “The high level of interest in this topic we saw at Sustainable Brands shows brands and marketers are increasingly focused on how best to communicate their sustainability story. Eastman aims to be a valuable partner in the circular economy space, and it was a privilege to share our work with P&G.”

Sustainable Brands brings together brand marketing and sustainability leaders from across the globe. The conference featured sessions focused on marketing, sustainability, inclusion and diversity, and products.

*Recycled content allocated via ISCC-certified mass balance approach.

Eastman

Brands need authentic, research-based messaging to sell sustainable materials. That’s the message Eastman and Procter & Gamble shared at a joint breakout session at the Sustainable Brands 2023 conference in San Diego. The companies focused on their partnership for data-driven sustainability marketing.

“We know sustainability alone doesn’t sell,” said Justin Coates, global consumer insights and marketing leader at Eastman. “It seals the deal, but customers value other aspects like safety and performance. Authenticity is the key to sustainability messaging. If you can communicate those features and seal the deal with sustainability, you create brand loyalty. Our partners want to win customers, and we know the formula to do that through years of experience and insights.”

Coates and Anne Morris, senior marketing communications account manager for circular integration at Eastman, spoke during the session. They were joined by Rachel Zipperian, scientific communication director from P&G.

Eastman and P&G have collaborated since 2021, when P&G’s hair care brand, Herbal Essences, was looking for a partner to help it increase the sustainability of its primary packaging. Herbal Essences scientists found Eastman’s molecular recycling technologies and quickly recognized Eastman was the strong partner they needed for both product materials and sustainability messaging.

Herbal Essences worked with Eastman to create bottles made with 50% certified recycled content.* The companies have continued to collaborate and recently completed customized consumer research using insights from 4,000 consumers across the U.S., U.K., Germany and France. They identified the top sustainability claims that resonated with consumers of various P&G hair care and oral care brands. The research found brands should make their products’ sustainability benefits specific and tangible to the consumer.

Together, Eastman, Herbal Essences and other P&G brands will use these insights to craft authentic sustainability messaging that resonates with consumers and strengthens brand loyalty.

“If you’re shopping for hair care, the first thing you want to know about is not what’s in the bottle content,” Zipperian said during the session, which was sponsored by Eastman. “You want to know, ‘What’s it going to do for my hair?’ So, figuring out the priority of communication is also something that’s challenging, and the Eastman team and their insights have helped us understand that sometimes one message doesn’t fit everyone.”

During the Sustainable Brands session, the Eastman and P&G representatives discussed how to create strategic sustainability messages that address consumer needs and are connected to a larger corporate sustainability story. Attendees learned how to differentiate their messaging through brand voice and consumer and market insights.

“At Eastman, we know collaboration fuels sustainable solutions,” Morris said. “The high level of interest in this topic we saw at Sustainable Brands shows brands and marketers are increasingly focused on how best to communicate their sustainability story. Eastman aims to be a valuable partner in the circular economy space, and it was a privilege to share our work with P&G.”

Sustainable Brands brings together brand marketing and sustainability leaders from across the globe. The conference featured sessions focused on marketing, sustainability, inclusion and diversity, and products.

*Recycled content allocated via ISCC-certified mass balance approach.

Kate Calero is a Director of Field Sales for Henkel Adhesive Technologies, a champion for women in leadership, and an advocate for neurodivergent professionals. From helping her team overcome obstacles to fostering a healthy and supportive work environment for future leaders, Kate effectively demonstrates her pioneering spirit.

Our purpose is what unites us at Henkel North America: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. Our pioneering spirit is reflective of the diverse backgrounds, experiences and talents of our employees and partners. They dare to make an impact on the world by collaborating to tackle challenges, find solutions and open new perspectives.

Their contributions allow us to deliver products, services and innovations that enrich and improve everyday life. We invite you to “meet” our pioneers in our series, “Pioneers for Good”.

Kate’s interest in sales was sparked over 18 years ago when one of her college professors advised the women in the class, “If you decide to pursue a career in sales get into something big, expansive, and technical and you will always have opportunities and potential for growth because there is a shortage of women in those industries.” Kate has since built a career in General Manufacturing & Maintenance sales, a historically male-dominated space, with a spirit of mentorship, community, volunteerism, and courage to pave a way for future leaders.

A Culture of Mentorship

Within Henkel Adhesives Technologies, Kate leads a team of Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) and General Manufacturing (GM) sales professionals who serve customers across Michigan and Indiana. Kate’s leadership style is deeply rooted in mentorship, influenced by the impactful guidance she received from men and women leaders throughout her career. “At the start of my career, there weren’t many women in the field, but the few we had were amazing,” she reflects. “I had the opportunity to learn from them and progress towards my career goals.” Recognizing the scarcity of female mentors, Kate is committed to paying it forward, instituting mentorship programs for new sales associates and creating inclusive onboarding processes to nurture a sense of community. And she is recognized by her peers and leaders.

“Kate is an authentic and inspirational sales leader consistently achieving excellent business results while also being an incredible mentor and advocate to empower more women in leadership,” said Rob Bertok, President Henkel Canada, Vice President NA General Manufacturing & Maintenance.

As more women rise to leadership roles in sales, Kate sees an opportunity to contribute to building a more diverse industry.

It’s my responsibility to leave the path to leadership for women smoother than I found it.

Kate Calero, Director of Field Sales, Great Lakes Region

Encouraged by the positive reception from new team members, Kate remains open and accessible, ready to share her insights, so everyone has the tools to achieve their full potential together.

Uplifting Neurodivergent Professionals

Kate’s advocacy and mentorship extends beyond women to another group that is very personal to her. Growing up with ADHD, Kate remembers having high energy and found organization and time management challenging. “I had to work harder and study longer to achieve the goals and the education that I wanted,” she recounts. “People with ADHD can make excellent sales professionals with the ability to connect with people on a different level and leverage their strengths of high energy, creativity, and multitasking.”

Kate is an advocate of the untapped potential within neurodivergent individuals. Understanding a broader societal shift towards acceptance, she applauds organizations like Henkel for providing resources for mental health and raising awareness of visible and invisible disabilities within the workplace. She hopes that sharing her story will contribute positively to the ongoing conversation surrounding neurodiversity and mental health.

Nurturing Community Beyond Henkel

Outside of work, Kate is a dedicated mother who fervently supports the accomplishments of her children. Her daughter is a junior at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, an environment with a low representation of women. Kate applies her leadership skills on a team of volunteers who help guide aspiring Naval Academy students and families through the application process.

Her volunteerism is anchored in the importance of encouraging allyship so everyone can excel. “If you can see it, you can be it,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of representation for aspiring young women. “I want them to see that,” she added. Moreover, she emphasized the significance of engaging young men. “I want to help them understand what it means to work alongside a woman, and respect her as an equal,” she affirmed.

What it means to be a pioneer at heart for the good of generations is simple for Kate. “It is someone who forges ahead, overcoming obstacles and staying committed to doing the good work that is inevitably going to create a smoother, clearer path ahead for all generations that come next.”

Kate Calero is a Director of Field Sales for Henkel Adhesive Technologies, a champion for women in leadership, and an advocate for neurodivergent professionals. From helping her team overcome obstacles to fostering a healthy and supportive work environment for future leaders, Kate effectively demonstrates her pioneering spirit.

Our purpose is what unites us at Henkel North America: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. Our pioneering spirit is reflective of the diverse backgrounds, experiences and talents of our employees and partners. They dare to make an impact on the world by collaborating to tackle challenges, find solutions and open new perspectives.

Their contributions allow us to deliver products, services and innovations that enrich and improve everyday life. We invite you to “meet” our pioneers in our series, “Pioneers for Good”.

Kate’s interest in sales was sparked over 18 years ago when one of her college professors advised the women in the class, “If you decide to pursue a career in sales get into something big, expansive, and technical and you will always have opportunities and potential for growth because there is a shortage of women in those industries.” Kate has since built a career in General Manufacturing & Maintenance sales, a historically male-dominated space, with a spirit of mentorship, community, volunteerism, and courage to pave a way for future leaders.

A Culture of Mentorship

Within Henkel Adhesives Technologies, Kate leads a team of Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) and General Manufacturing (GM) sales professionals who serve customers across Michigan and Indiana. Kate’s leadership style is deeply rooted in mentorship, influenced by the impactful guidance she received from men and women leaders throughout her career. “At the start of my career, there weren’t many women in the field, but the few we had were amazing,” she reflects. “I had the opportunity to learn from them and progress towards my career goals.” Recognizing the scarcity of female mentors, Kate is committed to paying it forward, instituting mentorship programs for new sales associates and creating inclusive onboarding processes to nurture a sense of community. And she is recognized by her peers and leaders.

“Kate is an authentic and inspirational sales leader consistently achieving excellent business results while also being an incredible mentor and advocate to empower more women in leadership,” said Rob Bertok, President Henkel Canada, Vice President NA General Manufacturing & Maintenance.

As more women rise to leadership roles in sales, Kate sees an opportunity to contribute to building a more diverse industry.

It’s my responsibility to leave the path to leadership for women smoother than I found it.

Kate Calero, Director of Field Sales, Great Lakes Region

Encouraged by the positive reception from new team members, Kate remains open and accessible, ready to share her insights, so everyone has the tools to achieve their full potential together.

Uplifting Neurodivergent Professionals

Kate’s advocacy and mentorship extends beyond women to another group that is very personal to her. Growing up with ADHD, Kate remembers having high energy and found organization and time management challenging. “I had to work harder and study longer to achieve the goals and the education that I wanted,” she recounts. “People with ADHD can make excellent sales professionals with the ability to connect with people on a different level and leverage their strengths of high energy, creativity, and multitasking.”

Kate is an advocate of the untapped potential within neurodivergent individuals. Understanding a broader societal shift towards acceptance, she applauds organizations like Henkel for providing resources for mental health and raising awareness of visible and invisible disabilities within the workplace. She hopes that sharing her story will contribute positively to the ongoing conversation surrounding neurodiversity and mental health.

Nurturing Community Beyond Henkel

Outside of work, Kate is a dedicated mother who fervently supports the accomplishments of her children. Her daughter is a junior at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, an environment with a low representation of women. Kate applies her leadership skills on a team of volunteers who help guide aspiring Naval Academy students and families through the application process.

Her volunteerism is anchored in the importance of encouraging allyship so everyone can excel. “If you can see it, you can be it,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of representation for aspiring young women. “I want them to see that,” she added. Moreover, she emphasized the significance of engaging young men. “I want to help them understand what it means to work alongside a woman, and respect her as an equal,” she affirmed.

What it means to be a pioneer at heart for the good of generations is simple for Kate. “It is someone who forges ahead, overcoming obstacles and staying committed to doing the good work that is inevitably going to create a smoother, clearer path ahead for all generations that come next.”

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

For two decades, Rolando Pozos worked as an investment banker specializing in advising companies on mergers and acquisitions. Then he made an acquisition of his own.

It started with a meeting, arranged by a mutual friend, with the owner of Amapola Deli & Market, a chain of three Los Angeles-area stores specializing in Latin American food products, who was looking to develop a succession plan.

“He reached out to me for some friendly advice, knowing I was a Latino investment banker who spoke Spanish,” Pozos said.

Pozos was a loyal customer of Amapola, which opened its first location in 1961, and as he learned more about the business, he became increasingly intrigued and eventually decided he could be the ideal successor.

“I realized it would be a great place for me to start all over again as an entrepreneur and follow a new career path,” Pozos said. “It was something that happened very organically. I wasn’t looking to be in this industry.”

As the new owner of Amapola and a U.S. Bank client, Pozos, who was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, brought an extensive background in business, having earned an MBA at the University of Southern California before going into banking. He also brought a love of Mexican food, including the homemade tamales, stew and soups his grandmother prepared when he was young.

“We grew up getting together as a family and celebrating with food,” he said.

Pozos has continued that celebration with his wife, Megan, and two young children.

“We are learning how to make tamales as a family,” Pozos said. “It helps our kids stay away from their iPads on Sunday afternoons, and through Amapola Market, we are teaching our kids how to experience and pass on traditions.”

Amapola Markets, a U.S. Bank client, have meat markets, bakeries and service delis, make fresh tortillas and specialize in corn products made without genetically modified ingredients. The markets, according to Pozos, are the region’s largest producer of fresh masa, a ground corn-based dough used for making tortillas, tamales, tostadas and other Latin American dishes.

“During the holiday season, in particular, we sell millions of pounds of masa,” Pozos said. “It’s so important for us to continue to provide the very best of our Latin food heritage to our customers.”

When Pozos acquired the company, he resolved to continue making the company’s products in the traditional way of cooking, grinding and working with corn, but also saw opportunities to expand the offerings.

Under his leadership, the company has expanded its product line to include natural juices, salsas, desserts, dry chilies and other Latin food essentials. He has increased the number of Amapola employees from 250 to 300 and said he has been boosting food production by about 10% a year.

The biggest strategic move, Pozos said, has been further increasing production volumes to sell products through other stores, with Amapola-branded products now being sold by nearly 150 retailers across Los Angeles.

“We can reach more customers and communities at a faster pace if we do it through other retailers,” he said. “We prefer to do what we do best, which is to produce our food, and then we’ll have other people make it available in places across Los Angeles, California and the West Coast.”

In light of these changes, Pozos was named a Greater Los Angeles Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 by Ernst & Young.

Pozos said his goal is to make Amapola a national brand enjoyed regularly by people of all ethnic backgrounds. He plans to open production facilities beyond California, and he’s working to strengthen his supply chain.

U.S. Bank provides Amapola Market credit, treasury management and financial advisory services.

“U.S. Bank is a very important partner for our company,” Pozos said. “They help us manage our day-to-day cash flow needs. They also understand our growth plans and are consulting with us on how we can inject capital into the business to grow our manufacturing footprint in other states.”