Colombian jewelry-artisan goes the extra mile to uplift other Latina artists with Primitiva Collective. LEDC’s Henry Jimenez promotes Latino business in Minneapolis alongside Laura Merino-Franco’s shop.
“If it’s through food or jewelry, showcasing your culture and elevating others along the way makes entrepreneurship worth it,” Laura Merino Franco, speaking from her entrepreneurial background, displays how starting a business need not be a lonely journey. She began her jewelry designing using an ancient technique called Filigree and sold her pieces under the name Primitiva Jewlery. With her business’s success she wanted to bring other artists along to meet her excited consumer base. In May 2022, she opened an uptown boutique, Primativa Collective, that includes 30 Minnesota female artisans’ items, 25% Latina, with many as representing as immigrants.
To Henry Jimenez, executive director, the success of this operation coincides with Latino population growth, Latino business increase, and “the appetite of other Minnesotans…having an interest in the Latino culture and Latino food”. LEDC continues to support businesses with their needs and their ability to meet consumer interests in Minnesota.
Read more about LEDC’S work in Minneapolis and about Laura and her collective (story thanks to Brittney Ermon KSTP)
