Meet the Entrepreneurs

Location:  Chichicastenango

Since:  November 2, 2020

Funding needed:  $800

Plan:  Being a brand new business, Abigail has identified multiple needs in order to best serve the local clientele.

First, she requires $421 worth of food ingredients to fully stock her pantry with the basics.

Second, Abigail would like $379 to invest in a tortilla stove, gas cylinder and coffee maker so that she can make early morning food and beverages for the high traffic area surrounding her store.  She feels that without nearby competition, she will do very well.

NOTES:  Abigail is renting commercial space in a wonderful corner location.  The tall open entrances are welcoming, and she has a nice customer counter.

Location:  Chichicastenango

Since:  February 2, 2016

Funding needed:  $533

Plan:  Having been in business for almost five years, Natalia knows the interests of her clients.  She has identified the demand for American brands of children’s clothing and would like to place an order for those things to eventually replace the slower-moving inventory. The same with toys!  She knows that if the inventory is rotated with fresh items that cannot be found locally, she will draw the attention of those that are visiting her storefront and following her on social media.

NOTES:  She has a nice location in a commercial building so she has targeted foot traffic.  Natalia has a Facebook presence and does a great job posting updates!

Location:  Cantón Chulumal Tercero

Since:  November 7, 2018

Funding needed:  $700

Plan:  With economic support, Olga would like to improve and enhance her existing business.  First, she will fortify the area surrounding her cart.  Second, she will add another shelf to her cart, allowing her to prepare and serve tacos alongside the French fries.  Finally, she will get a refrigerated cooler and offer cold beverages!

NOTES:  Olga knows that her per-ticket order would increase if customers did not have to go elsewhere to get a drink to go along with their food order!

Location:  Chichicastenango

Since:  December 2017

Funding needed:  $533

Plan:  Ernesto explains that his clients are asking for additional American-style clothing options.  He is interested in purchasing Nike, Adidas, and related brands.  With funds donated, he would purchase a small selection of pants, t-shirts, sweaters, tennis shoes, etc., and reinvest the profits to continue purchasing more of these items.

NOTES:  Travel team members that wish to donate American name brands (NWT items only) for Ernesto’s store would be welcomed to do so.  In Guatemala, sizes S and M are in highest demand!

Location:  San Juan, Chichicastenango

Since:  (Future, based on initial funding)

Funding needed:  $667

Plan:  Being a brand new business, Elena is very excited to provide a business model for herself that also lifts up multiple other women in her community.

She has noticed that future clientele have the desire for new and different guipil designs — the guipil being the Mayan woman’s blouse.  The $667 that she is hoping to receive would pay for the material and embroidery costs to create eight completed cortes (skirts) and pay the weavers and embroiderers to do the work.  Elena would then sell those items and invest the proceeds to fund the design of more elaborate guipiles that coordinate with the cortes made.

NOTES:  Elena’s application to our entrepreneurship program was accompanied by a professional-looking budget spreadsheet and business plan.  She is an educated woman with good business sense.  We see this as a low-risk way to support Elena as well as extend the support to her fair trade weaver contacts.  Pictured below are two of the women in the co-op.

Location:  Cantón Chucám, Chichicastenango

Since:  (Future, based on initial funding)

Funding needed:  $667

Plan:  Being a brand new business, Micaela is looking for two things… base material and finished goods!

First, a little over half of the money she is requesting would purchase materials:  thread and a wooden base such as shown in the photos.  This portion totals $413.

Second, Micaela would like $254 to cover the expenses needed to weave and embroider 10 perajes, 10 medium-size tzutes and 10 small tzutes.   (Perajes are like shawls and tzutes are used for carrying bundles.)  With these items, she would have an assortment to showcase her abilities and take orders.

NOTES:  This business would be run out of her home, so few ongoing costs!  Please support a home-based business!