2024 Feature Hispanic Client

Training | Loans

Carmen Sanchez

Founder, Universal Frontier

Carmen Sanchez embodies the spirit of many WVF clients—a determined minority woman dedicated to growing her business to support her family, advance her children’s aspirations, and secure her own retirement. Eighteen years ago, she immigrated to the U.S. from Colombia, initially taking on domestic, janitorial, and factory jobs to make ends meet. Now, with her husband retired, she is proud to have two accomplished children: a daughter who is a doctor and a son who contributes to the family business.

In 2001, recognizing the challenges faced by immigrants trying to stay connected with family back home, Carmen began purchasing phone minutes in bulk and reselling them to her co-workers who struggled to afford calling cards on their limited incomes. This simple venture blossomed into a thriving calling center business in an immigrant-rich community. She later expanded her offerings by becoming the exclusive agent for Western Union in the neighborhood, which has since generated approximately one-third of her total income.

Today, Universal Frontier flourishes within the financial services sector, thanks in part to WVF’s support in relocating to a more prominent space at a busy intersection in Far Rockaway. Legal advisors assisted Carmen in resolving issues with her previous landlord, ensuring a smooth transition, while also providing guidance on securing bids for her new location’s floor plans. Carmen attributes her success in expanding services—such as travel arrangements, bill payments, and money transfers—to this support, and she has also secured a license as a broker for life, health, property, and casualty insurance. WVF collaborated with Carmen to identify insurance companies interested in forming equitable partnerships with her business.

“I would not have been able to take this next step in growing my company without the funding from WVF and the invaluable guidance of its staff,” she shares.