Saharai Covarrubias

Saharai Covarrubias grew up in a small town in Jalisco, Mexico called Atengo. At age 20, Saharai made the life-changing decision to move to the United States with her husband and daughter, first settling in Kansas before eventually relocating to California. Leaving behind her home, community, and native language was one of the most difficult challenges Saharai had ever faced. Yet, Saharai is defined by her determination — a quality that has guided her through every stage of her journey.

Before immigrating, Saharai had already begun exploring entrepreneurship. In Mexico, Saharai helped run a small water purification business and later opened her own beauty salon. Although Saharai continued working in beauty after moving to the United States, she often felt that she was missing structure, guidance, and a clear path forward. Still, the desire to build something of her own never faded.

When Saharai arrived in the United States, navigating the financial system felt overwhelming. Starting from zero, Saharai encountered unfamiliar concepts like credit scores — an essential part of daily life that influences everything from renting a home to securing a loan. Conflicting advice and limited knowledge made it difficult to know where to begin, leaving Saharai feeling uncertain and discouraged.

Everything began to change after a conversation with her cousin, who encouraged Saharai to attend a Financial Empowerment class offered by Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) at a local library. That single class opened the door to new possibilities. Saharai gained practical tools and learned skills like as budgeting, balance sheets, and goal.

Motivated to continue learning, Saharai enrolled in additional WEV programs, including Construye tu Crédito and Get Your Small Business Online.

“Taking the credit course saves you years of mistakes because it gives you the right foundation from the beginning.”

Through these courses, Saharai not only learned the technical aspects of managing credit and finances but also explored personal beliefs about money. This combination of knowledge and self-reflection proved transformative. Saharai developed what she describes as “financial confidence”, the ability to make informed decisions with clarity and assurance.

“Now, when I make financial decisions, I make them with confidence and clarity because I understand how the system works.”

Today, Saharai is stepping into a new chapter with confidence and purpose. One of her most exciting milestones is the upcoming launch of her small business: a line of non-toxic soy wax candles. With the support of WEV’s Get Your Small Business Online program, Saharai is building a strong foundation in digital marketing, branding, and online presence.

At the same time, Saharai recently earned a certificate in Office Skills, providing stability as she continues to grow her business. This balance reflects Saharai’s vision of success—not just financial gain, but a sense of peace, fulfillment, and the ability to create a life she can share with her family. For Saharai, success means having the freedom to pursue her dreams while building a secure and meaningful future.

Looking ahead, Saharai is committed to continuing her journey of growth, using the tools and confidence she has gained to build a thriving business and inspire others along the way.