Mile One to Host Made in Laredo Event for Women Entrepreneurs

Mile One will host the final event in its Women Entrepreneurs Rock Series, Made in Laredo, on Thursday, October 1, featuring a vendor market and a cottage food license workshop.

Cesar Rodriguez of Mile One said member Laura Lopez, who owns a small business, brought forth the Made in Laredo initiative. Rodriguez said Lopez started the group to support local businesses that operate from home.

Mile One is supporting the initiative by organizing the vendor market and hosting a workshop on obtaining a cottage food license.

Kelly Masters will lead the workshop and explain the application process for entrepreneurs interested in obtaining the license. Masters also helped draft the legislation behind the license and advocated for it before the state legislature.

Key Highlights:

• Mile One will host the Made in Laredo event on October 1 to support local entrepreneurs
• Kelly Masters will explain the cottage food license process for home-based food businesses
• The event will feature networking opportunities and a speaker on AI and digital marketing

The cottage food license is designed for entrepreneurs who prepare food from their homes, including pastries, breads and other homemade food products.

The license is like a label, it contains all the ingredients and information about the product, said Cesar.

The license can be used at a vendor market, farmers' market, or storefront, Cesar said.

He said businesses where they can make or provide a lot of products could also be able to sell at HEB and Walmart's grocery store.

The event will be held from 5-9pm Thursday, Oct. 1 at Mile One. The cottage food license workshop will be held 5-7 p.m. while Texas Venture fest, a networking event, will take place 7-9 p.m., Cesar said is happening at the same time in Texas, including Houston, Austin, Dallas, Laredo, McAllen, the Rio Grande Valley and Amarillo.

A speaker who specializes in artificial intelligence and digital marketing will also be speaking at the event, Cesar said.

Networking is important for businesses to grow, acquire new clients, market their brand and work together with other businesses, Cesar said.

The event will also include Texas Venture Fest, a networking session focused on helping businesses connect, gain clients, promote their brands and build collaborations.

An artificial intelligence and digital marketing specialist will speak at the event, adding insights on technology and digital strategies for local entrepreneurs.