Meet Rosaura
Rosaura moved to the United States from Ecuador over twenty years ago with the hope of finding a better path towards success for her and her family.
Shortly after emigrating, Rosaura worked as an assistant in an accounting office, a position she held for over ten years. In that role, she often thought about how different life would be if, instead of working for others, she forges a career on her own terms. As a mother of three, Rosaura longed for the flexible scheduling that could come with becoming an entrepreneur.
“Even small things, like being able to step out and pick my daughters up from school, would not have been possible before. I wanted to be able to prioritize my family and be there for my kids while they grew up.”
Over nine years ago, Rosaura took a risk and opened a beauty salon that she has owned and operated ever since. Alongside two other employees, Rosaura is proud of the business she has been building for almost a decade.
“We offer all sorts of services to our clients, including manicures and pedicures, massages, facials, and hair treatments. I invest a lot of time and effort into my business, so I want to keep up with industry trends and provide exactly what customers are looking for.”
A few years after opening the salon, Rosaura was speaking to a friend who recommended that she consider joining Grameen America. Rosaura decided to join Grameen America in 2019 looking to support her growing expenses, including products, rent, and employees. Since receiving her first loan of $2,000 three years ago, Grameen America has invested over $12,000 into Rosaura’s salon.
“My life definitely changed for the better after joining Grameen America. Until I became a member, I didn’t have a group of women like I do now who understood what it’s like to own a business. My center supports each other and exchanges ideas even though we have different businesses.”
In addition to her Union City branch’s camaraderie, Rosaura especially appreciates the opportunity she now has to grow her credit. With improved credit, Rosaura has made steady progress towards her financial goals and has even started using a credit card for the first time.
“Every time I see my credit score increase little by little, I feel more reassured by my progress. Now I can purchase a car or apply for a loan at a bank in my neighborhood. These are milestones that make my journey meaningful.”
Like any business that relied on in-person customer interactions, Rosaura and her employees felt the loss of their regular clients in the wake of COVID-19. Rosaura believes that the support of Grameen America and the savings habits instilled in her by the program keep her optimistic as customers continue to return to her salon.
“When the pandemic began, we were closed for months. For both me and my employees, it was difficult to wait and see when we would be allowed to come back to the salon. Savings were a big part of what helped us to stay open.”
After all her hard work she’s put into her business, Rosaura is eager to see those loyal customers coming back through her doors. She feels proud to be an example for her kids, and her now four month old granddaughter, demonstrating that, with an idea and the right support network, you can succeed.