CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Elizabeth Hurtado Escobar says she struggled to find a job when she moved to Charlotte nine years ago from Colombia. Her dad encouraged her to just start door knocking on businesses.

"He said, 'The way you find a job, you just go to the building, you just start knocking on their door, and you say you are looking for a job'", Escobar said.

It worked. Escobar got a job as a waitress. She then went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from UNC Charlotte.

However, Escobar didn’t forget her roots. About a year ago she used her computer skills to make the website "Hay Trabajo." The website is designed to help Hispanics find jobs in Charlotte. She says within the first month, things really took off.

"My phone, everyday, was just vibrating at work," Escobar said. "Then I noticed that I had over 200 people that had applied for jobs, so it just started growing organically."

Guadalupe Gutierrez was the first hire. She was working as a dishwasher at a restaurant, but since it closed down, she was looking for a job. Through the website, she got a job at Novant Health as a dishwasher.

After just one year, Escobar says over 800 people have subscribed. 

The website is also catering to a population that is growing bigger and bigger in the Queen City. According to the U.S. Census, Hispanics now make up 14 percent of the population in Charlotte, the highest among any city in North Carolina.

Escobar is looking to expand the website to include more businesses.

"I am looking for more employers, so any company that is interested in hiring more Hispanics, please let me know," Escobar said.

To learn more about Hay Trabajo, click here.