Helen Velásquez Martinez, originally from Venezuela, is the founder of her own photography business, Helen Velasquez Photography, based in State College, Pennsylvania. Having spent several years in Colombia, where she studied publicity and marketing with a specialization in social media and photography, Helen moved to State College in 2022. Initially working part-time at a local restaurant, she also provided photography for concert promotional materials and captured photos of graduating students, particularly those from Latin America. Over time, Helen decided to formalize her passion for photography into a business.  

As an immigrant entrepreneur, Helen faced several challenges, with the language barrier being one of the most significant obstacles. Learning the language and understanding the local legal, tax, and banking systems was difficult, but necessary for establishing her business. Furthermore, Helen faced challenges in promoting her business within the State College community, where word-of-mouth referrals took time to generate. Despite these hurdles, she remained committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for clients, particularly people of color, to express themselves through her photography. Although she initially struggled to acquire funding due to her lack of an established business, Helen’s persistence eventually led to opportunities, such as the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator (CEA) Grant. 

Helen first reached out to Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) consultant Elizabeth Fegert in early 2024, seeking guidance on setting up her LLC and understanding the different business structures, as well as assistance with marketing. Elizabeth helped her navigate the complexities of taxes, contracts, and legal requirements by tapping into the resources at the Penn State Law Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic. Thanks to the SBDC’s guidance, Helen not only formalized her business but also gained credibility as a professional photographer. She is now an approved vendor with Penn State, and her business has grown by 60% since its establishment in March of 2024. 

Helen Velásquez’s photography business has given Helen a sense of belonging in a new country, something that can be difficult to achieve as an immigrant. She shares, “Having this business makes me feel like I belong here. This business represents me.” Through her photography, Helen showcases the diversity and cultural richness of State College, particularly highlighting the vibrant communities she is a part of. She hopes her work can inspire others, especially young immigrants and women of color, to believe that they can achieve their dreams and build a successful career. Reflecting on the journey, Helen adds, “I don’t think my success would have been possible without the SBDC. There are so many small details to navigate, and without their help, I would have struggled to understand the language, legalities, and systems. Their support was invaluable, and without it, starting this business would have been nearly impossible.”