Julieta Caracoche > www.altuntunno.com

Sofia Lanusse (top) and Julieta Caracoche (bottom), Founders, Al tun tun No

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?

A free spirit and a strong will.

What did inspire you to start your business?

Our love for Buenos Aires and art, the good living, smart people and designer shoes.

How did you finance it?

We had some money from our families. But not much.

Being Hispanic… Does it have any influence on your business?

A lot. We are warm people in Buenos Aires, and our job is to show around the very best spots where hot latin blood flows.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?

We decide to believe in the project.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

To make us know with no funds.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

We have quite a lot of fun with our job. We like the things how they are, so far..

What was your childhood ambition?

Julieta: I wanted to be a dancer and a writer. I dance quite a lot and still plan to be a writer. A good one.

Sofía: When I was a child I wanted to be an artist, I've always love painting and drawing; and arqueologist, I love that feeling when you find somethnig amazing out of nowhere.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?

Benedikt Taschen. He started as a comic collector and then created "Taschen" that made art books accesible for everybody.

Eduardo Costantini: He is a self made man also passioned about art, and created a great museum (MALBA) that is a gift for Buenos Aires and its visitors.

J. K. Rowling: We love thinking of her sitting in cold London, writting on a napkin such a success as Harry Potter.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Lunch and a sunny day.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?

Sleeping hours.

What is your favorite quote?

"Al tuntún no!" "Al tuntún no!"

Is it difficult to be unconventional?

No, it's very natural. We were born this way.

Biggest mistake made?

We didn't have a possitive attitude in the very beggining. Fortunately we changed our energy and things begun to work.

Do you consider yourself an innovator?

Yes. Al tuntún no was an idea that just came to us, and no one was doing the tours we have created.

About the Company

"Al tuntún no" is the first agency of high trend tourism for women in Buenos Aires. They offered cool tours around the city: cultural and shopping tours. The favorite of many is the shoe-shopping tour, a day dedicated to buy shoes, handbags and accessories, have lunch at a chic restaurant or take a delicious tea, accompanied by a chauffeur during the entire journey.

The girls of "Al tuntún no" are a team of young locals, passionate for art, fashion, shoes and good living, who accompany their clients during the tours, advising and showing them places and secrets of this fascinating city. A good option for women who travel alone, or for businessmen, who may travel with their partners, and prefer not to leave them getting bored in the hotel room.

Maria Eugenia Price > www.miamariu.com

Maria Eugenia Price, Founder & CEO, Mía Mariú LLC

What do you need to be an entrepreneur?
You need a dream, passion, drive, tenacity and most importantly faith.

What did inspire you to start your business?
A desire to help others in a market with unmet needs.

How did you finance it?
To date it has been self-funded.

Being Hispanic…Does it have any influence on your business?

Being Hispanic is our identity it is who we are and what we do. Our company is exclusively dedicated to meet the beauty and health needs of Latina women.

In the face of adversity, how do you decide to keep going?
Faith that God is ultimately in control and that all things work for the good.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
Our business is relationship based. Finding the right people is key. Building brand takes time.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?
Grow faster. Every entrepreneur wants to grow their business fast. However, it is important to be realistic about how long it really takes to build a sustainable business.

What was your childhood ambition?
Travel the world, I was blessed I got a chance to visit a lot of wonderful places before I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey.

Tell us about three entrepreneurs that you admire?
Cristina Saralegui for having evolved into a great media personality and a great example of success for Latina women reaching the American Dream.

Richard Branson for his brilliant ability to diversify his businesses with a very unique business approach and management style

Mary C. Crowley Founder of Home Interiors & Gifts who created a multi-million dollar company with a unique mission: to lead others to seek their highest potential by honoring God and blessing and serving others.

For business meetings: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
Definitely lunch, it is easier to stay focused.

What sacrifices on your personal life did you have to make in order to become a business success?
Time with family as well as time for myself at times has become sacrificed but I believe you must continuously fill your cup so you can give your business the energy it needs from you. If you don’t take care of yourself, who will take care of your business?

What is your favorite quote?
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23

Is it difficult to be unconventional?
You have to be unconventional to try something you have never tried before. This entails taking risks and facing your biggest fears. You have to be willing to take the risk and face your fears if you want to achieve success.

Biggest mistake made?
Everyone makes mistakes, the important thing is to learn from them. Mistakes happen, it is part of life.

Do you consider yourself an innovator? Why?
I believe there are markets that are underserved, when you meet the market needs that can be called innovative. In our case, we have taken the traditional direct sales model and made it into a more innovative relevant model for today’s woman. We have also developed a targeted product line that really addresses the needs of Latina women. We are the first to do this in the direct sales industry, I believe some might consider this innovative.

About the Company

Mía Mariú is dedicated to serve and fulfill the beauty and health needs of Latinas. Mía Mariú offers an innovative business opportunity. Mía Mariú markets a line of products that nourishes and protects skin with a color line of products and techniques specifically designed for the diverse skin tones of Latinas, as well as a natural-based Skin Care Treatment line and line of nutritional supplements with natural ingredients known in Latin cultures for their health benefits. Based in Dallas, Texas, Mía Mariú products are sold through a national network of Independent Associates. For more information, please visit www.miamariu.com