Celia Álvarez

Celia Álvarez was born and raised in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. At 19, she arrived in the United States chasing the “American dream,” only to discover it was more myth than reality. Undeterred, she and her family built a successful street-vending business over nearly ten years—working side by side with her brother, sister-in-law, and mother, and employing two additional staff. In 2017, Celia became an owner, partner, and co-founder of META, LLC, a cooperative of 20 women. Two years later, she left META to co-found De Colores C. Consulting alongside two other partners. In January 2024, Celia joined Próspera as a Business Success Coordinator, where she champions the creation of alternative economies for Latina immigrant women.