As founder of Café Tinto, Rosemary Caicedo is committed to Esperanza’s Hope Digital Skills computer workshops.
In 2001, she and her ex-husband moved from Colombia to Philadelphia for a fresh start. He suggested opening Café Tinto in the Hunting Park neighborhood, and despite challenges, their determination led to the creation of two small businesses. “I studied to be an accountant … I had to learn along the way and do my best,” she said.
Fast forward, during the Colombian Consulate’s visit to Esperanza on July 31st, Rosemary discovered the Hope Digital Skills workshops. “[The workshops] were cool and interesting,” thought Rosemary. “Let’s get with the times.”
Rosemary is learning computer skills while helping her daughter and Café Tinto’s manager, Giselle Poveda, with the café’s books. Despite her accounting experience, she’s eager to explore Excel’s latest features. “It helps me a lot when it comes to the business,” she said.
Rosemary believes that if more small business owners joined the workshops, Hunting Park would further blossom. “I have my daughter, who is a younger mind, who keeps me up to date with tech,” she said. “But many businesses are owned by older individuals – and if they learn just one thing from the workshops, their businesses will surely be impacted.”