Jenny Vargas: "The woman and the entrepreneur are one and the same"

Jenny Vargas (right), the owner of JyJ Automotive Workshop, https://www.instagram.com/tallerautomotrizjyj_/

She is a mother of five and decided to break barriers to enter the automotive industry, regardless of the challenges.

Meet Jenny Vargas, the owner of JyJ Automotive Workshop, a business she has run for the past four years in Piedades Sur de San Ramón, Alajuela. Her workshop stands out as a sustainable venture specializing in electric vehicle services.

Jenny has been a member of the CELIEM Community since 2022, when she joined through the "A Mamá le Tengo Fe" program by Fundación Monge. Three years later, she remains actively engaged in this entrepreneurial community. Her dedication has earned her the Empretec Award 2023, as well as a spot in Banco Nacional’s Evolución Pyme Sustainable Entrepreneurship Program.

During this Women's Month, Jenny shares that her greatest achievement as an entrepreneur is witnessing the daily growth of her business. However, what fills her with the most pride is being an inspiration to other women—women who see in her a successful entrepreneur who has paved the way in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?

The need to provide for my children and the opportunity to enter this industry.

What has been your biggest challenge as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Being in a non-traditional field for women. I overcame it by continuously learning and believing in my skills as both a woman and an entrepreneur.

What skills does a female entrepreneur need?

Resilience, without a doubt. We must recognize when change is necessary during the process. Nothing is set in stone—we can adapt and innovate whenever needed.

What advice would you give to other women who want to start their own business?

Follow your dreams, no matter the obstacles. Every challenge can be overcome.

What impact do you hope to achieve with your business?

I want to plant the idea that we are all part of this world and that every step we take can change lives. I want boys and girls to know that if they set their minds to it, anything is possible.

What stands out about your experience with CELIEM?

I am deeply grateful for the support. Without the knowledge I gained through CELIEM, my story might have been different. Thank you for supporting both the woman and the entrepreneur—because they are inseparable, they are one and the same. And CELIEM recognized that.

How do you think the country can support and promote female entrepreneurship?

Currently, there are significant challenges, such as excessive bureaucracy and high formalization costs, as well as balancing business responsibilities with family life.

I believe that education is the greatest tool we can receive as entrepreneurs. Training and knowledge make all the difference.