Inspired to Give Back
A native of Los Angeles, CWEL scholar Noelia Chacon ’23 has always wanted to leave her mark on the world.
When it came to selecting a college, she was set on finding a small school with big resources. She states, “I wanted to be at a school where I could leave an imprint. And, Babson supports you and gives you the resources to do so.”
Her desire to make an impact started when she was quite young, “Visiting Guatemala during the summers has always been a cherished memory for me. As I matured, our trips to Guatemala made me question the circumstances that resulted in young children selling pieces of jewelry.” Chacon says, “I started to realize the barriers these children faced.”
That was the inspiration behind noeyourbracelets.
“My mission,” says Chacon, “is to purchase bracelets from Guatemalan artisans and then bring them back to the U.S. to sell and give the proceeds directly to the artisans. I wanted to use my privilege to create something that would give back to my community.”
One of the main key elements to noeyourbracelets is that each product is unique. They are not manufactured in a factory. They are handmade, using volcanic or island stones.
Chacon goes on to say, “My dream is to expand this company to not only serve the Guatemalan community, but several other developing countries. I want to make an impact on many countries to help them while also embracing the culture that each piece brings.”
Chacon is working to make an impact at Babson, as well. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Pi, a professional fraternity. She also is a part of the Babson Fashion group and Retail Association.
We spoke with Chacon about what she has learned while attending Babson, and her global experiences.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned at Babson so far?
Something I have taken away with me is Entrepreneurial Thought & Action. This is a mindset that can be applied to any part of your life. I think of a vision and apply predictive logic or creative logic, and then apply it to my situation. That is something that I will take with me forever.
How do your activities outside of the classroom influence your academic pursuits and career plans?
Since I am in a professional fraternity, I am always thinking about my career path and connecting with people who are older to guide me in their footsteps. I am also able to hear from a wide range of perspectives to learn about other industries and it is nice to have a community of people to give you advice.
How have your global experiences at Babson impacted you and your perspective on the world?
I was pleasantly surprised to see the diversity and amount of international students at Babson. From my time here I have met several people from Central America which is so cool! I typically go every summer, so it will be nice to have a network of people I know from Babson over there. I’m also fluent in Spanish, so I have periodically thought about business abroad. Babson’s focus on bringing together multiple cultures has definitely played a role in that.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
If I could change one thing in the world, it would to be for everyone to have a proper education. Coming to college as a first-generation student, I see the value in a proper education and all that you can reach. I have been exposed to so many opportunities and connections, and I believe everyone should have that chance.
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