Estela Flores, Stel Housecleaning

More than 20 years ago, Estela escaped an abusive husband and emigrated from Mexico to build a life for herself and her young daughter.  She began cleaning houses for five dollars an hour and took the plunge to start Stel Housecleaning. In 2004, she took WEV’s Spanish SET course to help stabilize her business. Today her business is going strong with five employees and a loyal client base.

Photography courtesy of Julie Callahan