Three Entrepreneurs Get Ready for Valentine’s Day
Each year, cupid brings love for those who celebrate Valentine’s Day. For our hard-working, low-income entrepreneurs around the world, cupid brings a chance to grow their businesses, earn more income and change their lives. Here is how three FINCA clients are gearing up their flower and chocolate businesses for the day of love.
Myrna Nájera Godínez, Mexico*
Myrna Najéra Godínez plants and sells flowers from her nursery in Emiliano Zapata, Morelos, Mexico. Many years ago, she would work the field along with her husband, sharing the responsibility of planting, plucking, selling and distributing their flowers. After her husband suffered an accident, Myrna took over the business solely, and is able to provide care for her sick husband and three children with profits from the business. With FINCA loans, she was able to purchase a truck and now sells her fresh flowers to neighboring towns and cities, bringing in additional income to help her family.
Armen Voskanyan, Armenia
Armen Voskanyan, FINCA Armenia Clients
Since childhood, Armen Voskanyan had a passion for chocolates. After immersing himself with chocolate production knowledge, Armen finally opened his own chocolate factory in Armenia. With loans from FINCA, Armen has been able to make more creations and widen the range of chocolate products he offers, such as chocolate-filled biscuits and chocolate cake. And for Valentine’s Day, Armen is designing chocolates in the shape of hearts to honor the spirit of love. “I am so proud for my cooperation with FINCA,” he says. “Every single dollar borrowed has served its purpose and helped me drive my chocolate factory to its next stage of development.”
Nanuli Kontselidze, Georgia
Nanuli Kontselidze, a widow in the Keda region of Georgia, sells flowers at her local market. Her three children would depend on her mother’s income to provide for the family, but the income wasn’t always enough. Nanuli had hoped to expand her business by opening a gift shop. After receiving loans from FINCA, Nanuli was able to achieve her dream. With profits from her gift and flower shop, Nanuli has repaired her home, creating a more comfortable life for her three children. This Valentine’s Day, Nanuli is stocking her shop with bouquets of flowers and meaningful gifts for couples in love.
*FINCA served the people of Mexico from 1989 to 2016. On November 10, 2016, FINCA transferred its operations there to Te Creemos, a mission driven Mexican Microfinance Institution that shares FINCA’s commitment to providing responsible financial services to clients of all income levels.