Guatemalan Shark Tank?

    On my first trip to Guatemala with Guatemala Service Projects I had the unique experience of playing Mr. Wonderful on a Guatemalan version of Shark Tank.  For anyone not familiar with the show, Shark Tank is a program on the ABC television network, in which hopeful entrepreneurs present their business concepts to four or five extremely successful and wealthy potential investors, hoping to convince at least one of them to form a partnership which will help them achieve their “American Dream.” 

For their part, the investors are looking to increase their own wealth, by profiting from the share of the company they acquire in the deal.  Considering how long the show has been running, these demonstrations of Western capitalism “at its finest,” continue to be very popular. I only mentioned Mr. Wonderful because he is the most recognizable personality on the show, and the one who I most resemble in appearance. (We are both “follicly challenged,” in other words, “balding.”)

     There were six entrepreneurs presenting that day, all living in or near Chichicastenango and they had two important distinctions from their TV show counterparts.   First, in their presentations, the entrepreneurs never mentioned that they were hoping to achieve the fame and fortune that most of the North Americans aspire to. They only spoke of establishing a successful business that would help them support their families. Second, the entrepreneurs were only looking for the funds to establish or grow their businesses, not partners. Anyone who was to contribute would not receive any financial compensation for their investment, nor have any further participation in the success or failure of their companies.

Meet the Entrepreneurs 

     The presenters were:

 1. A woman who needed funding to renovate her roadside stand where she sells french fried potatoes and soft drinks,

 2.&3.  Two women who weave and then sell tapestries and clothing,

 4. A man who sells second hand clothing,

 5. A woman who sells toys, and

 6. Abigail, whose business I found the most intriguing.

The Chosen One

Abigail had recently opened a snack shop which she hoped to expand to sell homemade tortillas and coffee.  When we visited her shop a day later, we met her family, and I made a balloon dog for her preschooler son.  Although there were very few items on the shelves, there seemed to be a great deal of potential. The business was well located on the corner of a street with many small stores, and a great deal of foot traffic passing by.  The shop itself was very bright, and spacious enough for her needs. Despite the fact that I didn’t understand a word of her presentation, spoken entirely in K’iche’, I felt the passion and commitment she had to find success with her business venture.

     Abigail was seeking 800 dollars which would enable her to purchase the snacks to stock the shelves, a coffee maker, and a propane fueled stove to make tortillas.  I thought perhaps by donating 100 dollars, and hopefully getting one or two more small donations, she would have enough “seed money” to grow the business, and eventually make enough profit to purchase the equipment without additional investments.  Several months later, Jen informed me that my strategy was unworkable. While Abigail was making a profit, after paying rent and expenses, the shop would never be able to generate enough surplus for her to purchase the stove and coffee maker.  At that point, I donated the additional funding so that she could purchase these items.

     It was exciting to see photos of the coffee maker and especially the stove being delivered to her shop.  The stove was “shiny brand new” and much larger than I imagined it would be.   In what became a running joke, I told Jen that I was looking forward to my next Guatemala visit, so I could get coffee and a donut from her shop. 

Disappointing News 

    A few weeks later, Jen informed me that the owner of the property where the store was located had changed the terms of the lease agreement, making it so unfavorable for her to stay that she needed to find a new location. She and her family, including her father, eventually decided that they would convert the shop into a “takeout” business, preparing all the food at home, and delivering it to other families and businesses.   For the next few months, Jen told me that Diego had very little information as to how the business was doing, and I was disappointed that upon my next visit that July, I didn’t get to sit in the shop eating and drinking the coffee and donut I had been looking forward to for so long.   Jen actually saw Abigail working as a waitress in one of the restaurants we ate at during that trip, but didn’t get to speak with her about what was happening with the business.

     We eventually found out that Abigail’s family decided to abandon the food business entirely, and start a new business sewing and embroidering clothes.  I told Jen that maybe instead of the coffee and donut, I will get a new shirt.  Unfortunately, even that business fizzled out.

The Silver Lining for our Entrepreneurship Program

     Well, I called this blog a “non-success story,” and if I was Mr. Wonderful on Shark Tank, I would consider the title to be accurate.  Abigail didn’t achieve the American or even her Guatemalan dream. I will never get to sit down in her snack shop, with my coffee and donut in front of me, feeling proud of what I helped create.

But, Diego arranged to have the stove and coffee maker given to a woman named Rafaela, a new applicant in our entrepreneurship program. Rafaela’s business is well located, and it has flourished so much that she is expanding.  Her family owns the property where her shop is located, so she doesn’t have to worry about rent increases.  She is using the stove to cook french fries, and pupusas, (a Google search describes them as being like an aripa), and also sells soft drinks.  So, while I won’t get my donut and coffee, hopefully on a future visit, I’ll be able to sit with Rafaela and enjoy a nice snack, and a soda to wash it down.

Personal Reflection

     When I make balloon animals for both children and adults, they see me creating something from practically nothing.   A simple balloon becomes a work of art, a toy, perhaps a companion. I never know what happens to balloons after we part. However, when handed to them, I see the joy in their faces, just like the one I saw on Abigail’s son.   I truly believe that I send the message that someone cares enough about you, to give you hope.   Although I didn’t get to see their faces, I believe Abigail and her family got that same message.   No matter what the final outcome, the entrepreneurship program brings people joy and hope.

AND THAT’S OKAY.