Casa Qui, Adelante’s retail business incubator, Celebrates One Year Anniversary

Casa Qui, Adelante Mujeres’ retail business incubator.

In 2020, Adelante Mujeres created Casa Qui, a vibrant shop located in the heart of downtown Forest Grove in the Adelante Mujeres building. It serves as a brick-and-mortar location for the Retail Business Incubator Program.

Casa Qui celebrated one year of being open on December 4, 2021. A day full of support, delicious bread from La Panadera - a local bakery and Empresas graduate business - and warm hot chocolate.

Ivette Heredia, Casa Qui’s previous Retail Specialist, shares, "Anniversaries are always important, but the first year is exceptionally important. As I reflect on the first year of the incubator program, it is the first of its kind on the westside, sparking interest from other organizations to create similar programs. I am honored and grateful to work with such a progressive organization and, even more so, the women who make up Casa Qui. Seeing them flourish as businesswomen and learn together through the challenges of entrepreneurship has been special."

Through the Business Incubator Program, Latina entrepreneurs can learn the process of managing a brick-and mortar business, and the store is modeled as a business collective, giving vendors an opportunity to develop their leadership and professional skills. Casa Qui currently houses merchandise from four entrepreneurs, all graduates of Adelante’s Empresas Program, our Small Business Development Program.

Viva La Cactus owner Irma Lopez shares a reflection from the celebration, “Saturday, December 4 was the first anniversary of Viva La Cactus, my business, and celebrating it was like being on a roller coaster of emotions. But, it's been a year? The answer is yes, and I still enjoy what I do. It seems like yesterday I started my business. Time flies by and I have learned a lot. I have overcome obstacles and I have received a lot of support, without which it would have been impossible to continue.”

Adelante Mujeres, thank you very much for the great support”, said Irma. “Thank you so much for being my teachers, for challenging me, for teaching me to trust me, and for believing in me.”

Huitzil Imports owners Ximena and Carlos share, "We are very happy to have celebrated a year in Casa Qui. It has been a year of new experiences and many firsts. We are deeply grateful for all the support and trust that the organization of Adelante Mujeres and the extraordinary team that makes it up has given us. We are also very grateful to our clients for continuing to support Mexican art and local businesses."

The Casa Qui book at the Forest Grove Farmers Market.

Throughout the year, Casa Qui participants have been hard at work defining their goals, attending guided workshops, branching out, participating in the Forest Grove Farmers Market, and so much more to get their businesses off the ground. We can't thank our community partners and shoppers enough for their continual support in advocating and supporting market access for new Latine business owners!

As we end a year full of successes, we welcome the new year with opportunities, hopes, and dreams. If you are interested in learning more about the program or would like to participate, please call us at 503-992-0078 or email Empresas Manager Mara Rico, mrico@adelantemujeres.org.