The CEO helping thousands of women in Latin America launch successful online businesses
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Zach Oschin is the founder of Elenas , an app used by women to digitize their catalog sales.
Zach Oschin is the founder of Elenas, an app that has helped female entrepreneurs in Colombia and Mexico improve their door-to-door and catalog sales model by moving operations online. Over 15 million people across Latin America, mainly women, make a living selling products from companies like Betterware, Tupperware, or Natura & Co., a Brazilian cosmetics giant that owns Avon. Oschin’s company has partially moved these transactions online, allowing sellers to expand their catalogs to include products like furniture and toys.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
How did you come up with the idea for Elenas?
I talked to hundreds of families in Colombia and understood that direct selling or catalog selling has a massive presence across Latin America. But that model worked the same way it did 50 years ago: sellers using physical catalogs and reaching their immediate acquaintances. We created Elenas as a modern solution for direct selling.
Our app helps catalog sellers access a broader portfolio of products and leverage their existing social media networks to sell more efficiently.
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What sets Colombian e-commerce apart in the region?
Colombia has very high rates of social media and internet penetration, as well as good port infrastructure and supply chain access from China. But compared to Mexico or Brazil, it has a much lower e-commerce penetration rate. One of its biggest challenges, especially to Elenas, is a high reliance on cash, so there’s a huge part of the population that’s not purchasing online.
How are you turning online-shopping skeptics into Elenas customers?
The seller’s friends and family members might be skeptical of buying directly online or are infrequent online shoppers. So the seller becomes a trusted person in their community, helps them through the process, and offers logistics and payment options.
Absolutely inspiring work by Zach Oschin with Elenas! It reminds me of what Steve Jobs once said, "Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." By empowering female entrepreneurs, you're leading a transformation. ?? Speaking of making a significant impact, there's an exciting sponsorship opportunity involving a Guinness World Record for Tree Planting that might interest you. Imagine the possibilities! ?? Check it out here for more details: https://bit.ly/TreeGuinnessWorldRecord
Absolutely inspiring work by Zach Oschin! ?? As Nelson Mandela once said, "It always seems impossible until it's done." Elenas is truly revolutionizing the way female entrepreneurs thrive in the digital age. Keep breaking boundaries! ???? #Empowerment #Innovation
Executive Vice President - Head International SBU - ROW Markets @Shilpa Medicare
1 年Kudos to Zach for empowering female entrepreneurs through Elenas! Their shift to online operations showcases innovation and adaptability, inspiring others in the entrepreneurial journey.