¿Por qué emprender? (Is there a good English translation of “emprender”?)

We asked women aged 13-70, from the Casa de la Mujer Huamachucho´s Escuela de Verano, about their motivations for entrepreneurial endeavors. This is what they said.

With several Start-Up Chile entrepreneurs, I am leading a five-day seminar at Casa de la Mujer Huamachuco, a community center in one of the poorest areas of Santiago, in the comuna of Renca. Soon I will write more about this experience.

For now, here is a translation of the list scribbled above:

Motivations for Entrepreneurial Activity (emprender is the verb form of “start something, as an entrepreneur.” Perhaps the best translation is “bootstrap.” If you have a better translation, let me know!)

• occupy free time
• generate resources
• grow more
• feel more useful — don´t depend on husband
• feel good about yourself at any age
• surge in life, be something
• be independent, own schedule
• teach values to the children
• develop as a person
• have your own money