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Meet Adela Orucuta, Founder of Adela’s World of the Children
An immigrant from Mexico City raising three children, Adela was no stranger to putting in long hours to make ends meet. Regardless of her struggles and lack of business knowledge, she dared to dream of starting her own business. Exhausted, Adela took her first step closer to her dream by joining English language classes. She knew networking with people would be more challenging with less time in hand, but that did not waver Adela’s passion.
Adela credits her success to the very hurdles that made it difficult to achieve her dream, “My circumstances gave me the strength and determination to better myself and provide my family with the financial stability that we so needed and deserved.” Though Adela faced financial constraints, she was determined to improve her English, become more active in her community, and seek out places and people that would help answer the many questions she had.
Finding the Building Blocks
Ultimately, Adela connected with Centro, where she found one-on-one guidance by an MBA advisor. Her uphill battle was finally paying off! Her next step was to create a business plan with constant guidance from her mentor at Centro to follow through her plan. Centro’s team and volunteer business advisors understood the circumstances under which she had worked to achieve her dream, and worked and supported her closely to create a successful business.
Finding Success
Adela’s World of the Children opened in 2010, a licensed childcare center offering daycare and pre-kindergarten facilities to families in El Cerrito, Berkeley and Oakland. Adela puts in all her love for the children in her care, who receive a balance of play and learning that is informed by her ongoing child education coursework at Berkeley City College and her enrollment in California’s First5 Program. Undoubtedly, the business has been a success. It not only prepares the students of World of the Children for their futures, it helped Adela send her own children to college. More than anything, it has brought joy and meaning to her life, and those around her.
The COVID-19 Challenge
During the pandemic, World of the Children had to make a choice. It chose to continue being there for children even though the shelter-in-place order negatively impacted the business side of things. Though they have not had to reduce their hours of operations, the number of clients has decreased. In order to re-open and ensure the safety of the children in her care, Adela has rigorously followed all the safety and health guidelines recommended by public officials; like requiring face masks at all times and maintaining sanitation protocols of toys and public spaces. “In our preschool/daycare we have designed ways to help reduce the spread even more. For example, we create activities that allow kids and caregivers to maintain proper social distancing. We have also reduced the number of materials/toys available on a daily basis.”
AND An OPPORTUNITY
This past August, Adela worked with the Centro Capital Hub and ran a successful Kiva campaign to acquire $8,500 in interest-free capital to support her business during the pandemic. According to Adela, “This loan will allow me to purchase new and updated materials and equipment to renovate the location and make it more appealing for new clients.” These funds were able to help Adela remodel the daycare’s backyard with new toys and outdoor activities built specifically to practice safe distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19. These funds will also be used to hire an extra care-giver to ensure children continue to receive the attention and care Adela’s World is known for. “This loan will have a great and positive impact in my business because not only will I be able to create a fun and attractive place for our kids, but I will be able to keep the business that I have worked so hard for many years.”
Adela knows what it is to strive toward one’s dreams. She also knows first-hand what it means for a business to be affected by the pandemic. She encourages other business owners to “maintain good communication with your customers” and to stay on top of new information about the virus “so everyone is on the same page about how important it is for everyone to do their part in keeping each other safe.”
If you’d like to learn more about Adela’s World of the Children or see more about her inspiring story please visit her website.