Maria Elena Rudolf
From my perspective, the workshop was a great success for this group of professionals and small business owners, because each woman came with clear goals and ideas about what she wanted to achieve to grow her business.
Moreover, the group demonstrated the willpower, positivity, and discipline necessary to move their families forward through serious and responsible work.
I am deeply grateful to each woman who took part in this workshop—for their enthusiasm, their smiles, their life stories, their hugs, their gratitude, and their affection. They made this a beautiful and unforgettable experience.
A quote from Nathalia Castillo (workshop participant):
"Thanks to María Elena and Fundación Avanzar, we’ve introduced new techniques and formulations for natural cosmetics in our business—such as oat exfoliants and carrot oil—always aligned with our mission of offering effective and natural self-care solutions."
In November 2024, sociologist, art collector, and international networker María Elena Rudolf traveled to Cuenca to lead a volunteer workshop with a group of wonderful and curious women. Despite their diverse backgrounds, the participants formed a cohesive group through their active engagement, creating an exceptional shared learning experience that is already yielding economic benefits.
In this workshop, the women not only learned how to develop their own products, but also how to use this knowledge in practical and profitable ways. They explored how to start their own businesses or, if they already had one, how to improve their business models or introduce new products—ultimately with the goal of becoming financially independent. In other words, the workshop helped build strong, confident women entrepreneurs with sustainable and dignified paths forward.
I also want to thank the entire Avanzar team—especially the founder, Margarita Heredia Forster—for trusting in my passion. Special thanks to Marcela Castillo, the director of Fundación Avanzar in Cuenca, for coordinating this project so professionally and warmly.
Congratulations to Fundación Avanzar on its 25th anniversary! The foundation’s reputation now reaches far beyond the classroom. It has gained international recognition and is positioning itself as a vital force in our economic and social landscape. Avanzar is a foundation rooted in deep commitment and social responsibility.
María Elena
**Health & Wellness Workshops**
**Skin Health & Connection to Nature**
**Personal Development, Image, Self-Esteem**
**Joy & Emotional Balance**