Gym Club opens it doors in Nueva Suyapa

Mario Rosales is an example of entrepreneurship and of a person who is taking advantage of opportunities. He is currently a member of the business loan program of Christian Stewardship Ministries located in Colonia Nueva Suyapa.

About 2 years ago, Mario got a pectorals machine and installed it in a room in his house. This machine became popular with the neighbors in Nueva Suyapa and about seven people arrived daily to work out. For a year, they were working out and dreaming that someday they would have a suitable place to provide all the services for bodybuilding and working out.

A year later, around Christmastime, they decided to take the machine to the top of the Peniel Project building, located across from the bus terminal in Nueva Suyapa. Mario dreamed about one day filling that space with machines and weights. Whenever there was a group of volunteers working in that area, he would approach them to mention how it would be a good location for a gym. "It would be the perfect place to promote weightlifting as a tool to encourage youth to exercise and to provide an alternative for those at risk of getting into trouble." After a couple of conversations,  Mario was allowed to use that space, at which point he acquired two additional machines and more free weights. Every night about twenty people would come to this space to exercise.

Two months after this event, they decided to move the gym to a space on the ground floor of the same building. There Mario was able to furnish the place and provide a better service to the community with the help of a loan from the income generation program of MCM.

He has now been operating there for 16 months and has a membership of about 100 people, 40% of whom are women. Seeing this dream fulfilled has led Mario to other business ideas that he has been implementing, such as selling smoothies and energy drinks, a café, and a small business selling broiled chicken, which he would like to replicate in the neighborhood.

Mario has attended several business trainings offered by MCM, together with its affiliate from Pella and the Honduras National Autonomous University. Through the training, he was able to implement what he learned to grow his business.

Mario is part of the network of Stewardship Christian Ministries (MCM), a Local Community Institution that Partners Worldwide serves.

One of the members of Gym Club.

Left to right: Professor Hadley Mitchell from Taylor University, Debbie Velis (PW),
Mario Rosales dad, and gym members.

Mario Rosales broiling chicken right next to his gym location.

Gym Club abre sus puertas en Nueva Suyapa

Mario Rosales es un ejemplo vivo de emprendedurismo y de cómo aprovechar nuevas oportunidades. Actualmente es miembro del programa de créditos empresariales de Ministerios Cristianos de Mayordomía ubicado en la Colonia Nueva Suyapa.

Hace alrededor de 2 años, Mario consiguió una maquina de ejercicio para trabajar las pectorales y la instaló en un cuarto de su casa. Dicha maquina se volvió popular con los vecinos.  Pronto estaban llegando alrededor de siete personas diarias para trabajar el cuerpo. Durante un año estuvo trabajando de ese manera y soñando con algún día tener un lugar acomodado para brindar todos los servicios para el desarrollo muscular del cuerpo.

Un año después, durante las festividades navideñas, decidió llevarse la maquina a la parte más alta del edificio del proyecto Peniel, ubicado frente a la terminal de buses en Nueva Suyapa. Mario siempre visualizaba ese espacio lleno de maquinas y discos de hierro hasta que en una ocasión, les comentó a un grupo de voluntarios lo bien que se ubicaría un gimnasio en el sitio. Dijo que "sería el lugar perfecto para poder estimular el desarrollo del cuerpo y otra de prevención para que los adolescentes en sus tiempos libres puedan aprovechar haciendo ejercicio".  Así que, a Mario se le permitió utilizar el espacio, donde luego adquirió dos maquinas y un poco mas de hierro.  Todas las noches llegaban a ese espacio de cancha alrededor de veinte personas a ejercitarse.

A los dos meses , decidieron trasladar el gimnasio a uno de los espacios de la planta baja.  Con ayuda del programa de generación de ingresos de MCM, logró optar por un préstamo para equipar y acondicionar el lugar y brindar una mejor atención a la comunidad.

Actualmente, el gimnasio tiene 16 meses de estar en funcionamiento y cuenta con una membresía de alrededor de 100 personas donde el 40% de ellos son mujeres.  

A raíz de este sueño de empresa cumplido, han surgido otras ideas de negocio que Mario ha ido implementando tales y como una venta de licuados y bebidas energizantes, una cafetería y ahora una pequeña venta de pollos asados al carbón, el cual quiere empezar a reproducir en la colonia.

Mario ha asistido a varias de las capacitaciones empresariales facilitado por MCM y ha podido aplicar ese conocimiento para crecer su negocio.

Mario es parte de la red de Ministerios Cristianos de Mayordomía.  MCM es uno de las instituciones comunitarias locales aliadas a la red global Cristiana de Partners Worldwide.

Uno de los clientes del Gym Club

Izq. a Derecha: Professor Hadley Mitchell de Taylor University, Debbie Velis (PW),
Mario Rosales (padre), and miembros del gimnasio.

Mario Rosales vendiendo pollo al carbon al lado de su gimnasio.

Leadership in Public Service

Since December 2013, Cuenca Partners has been collaborating with the public enterprise for telecommunication, water works, and sewers in its city, ETAPA EP, to offer training in leadership and topics of family unity to the public servants who work in the company. Although ETAPA can give employment and a dignified salary to over a thousand people who work in the various divisions of the company, it is the responsibility of each employee to use wisely the money they bring home each month. For that reason, the training seeks to motivate the employees to be responsible leaders in their daily work and also wise leaders in their homes.

Translated Report from ETAPA EP News:

The Family, Fundamental Pillar in Job Performance

ETAPA EP in coordination with the Submanagement of Human Resources is hosting a series of lectures focused on seeking the wellbeing of our coworkers and generating a stronger sense of ownership in the Company. For this reason, the Department of Social Wellness, Industrial Safety, and Occupational Health is executing motivational workshops for the personnel of the company as well as their families.

In topics relating to the company and its workers, the workshops seek to integrate the workers so that they value the importance of team work and meting one of the primary strategic objectives of ETAPA EP, “Improve Customer Satisfaction.”

[Photo: Boris Ordóñez of “Cuenca Partners” during a leadership seminar in the SIAPA building]

Liderazgo en Servicio Publico

Desde diciembre de 2013, Cuenca Partners ha colaborado con la empresa pública de telecomunicación, agua potable y alcantarillado de la ciudad, ETAPA EP, para brindar capacitación en liderazgo y temas de unidad familiar a los servidores públicos de la empresa. Aunque ETAPA puede dar empleo y un salario digno a más de mil personas que laboran en las varias divisiones de la empresa, depende de cada empleado ser responsable en el uso del dinero que lleva a la casa cada mes. Por ende, la capacitación busca motivar a los empleados que sean líderes responsables en el trabajo diario y también líderes sabios en sus casas.

Abajo se encuentra un informe pequeño que ETAPA publicó sobre la capacitación.

A New Partnership, A New Province

Boris Ordonez, who brought PW to Cuenca, shares with leaders in El Guabo 

Our partnership with the Verbo Christian Church in Cuenca began with a God-appointed meeting and conversation. In a similar way, the movement of that partnership to plant the seeds for a new group in a new region began with a divine appointment.

The Verbo Church in Cuenca started a church years ago in the town of El Guabo, just outside of Machala, a city of 250,000. When that church broke ground to build their own physical structure for worship, they invited one of the Verbo Cuenca leaders to share in the celebration, and that leader—Carlos Serrano—just happened to be a leader of the PW affiliate Cuenca Partners.

One thing led to the next, and over the course of several meetings in El Guabo and Cuenca, the vision for a business ministry was planted, and a leadership team was formed. This partnership is unique because it draws on business and church leaders from not one church but four. The Verbo Churches of the province of El Oro minister to four cities in the region as a team. 

Fittingly, they have taken a team approach to bringing business training, mentoring, and a vision of business as ministry to their congregations, their cities, and with God’s help, their entire province.

A Cuenca Partners leader teaches mentoring skills to leaders in El Oro

Courageous business leaders from these churches are taking steps toward something new and unknown in their province as they form Camino de Emprendedores, loosely translated “Entrepreneurs’ Way”—the name they selected for this ministry. However, they’re not alone in the process. Leaders from Cuenca Partners have committed to travel the three hours from Cuenca to El Guabo to use what they have learned in the past two years to support their brothers and sisters in the ministry. And Partners Worldwide is actively connecting with Christian North American businesspeople who are interested in partnering with this local ministry.

That is what partnership for business as ministry is—planting the vision, walking together with other Christian businesspeople in diverse geographic regions, and stepping out in faith to pursue God’s calling to impact the businesses, families, and communities in a specific place through the marketplace.

Una nueva alianza, Una nueva provincia

Boris Ordonez, comparte las experiencia de Cuenca Partners en El Guabo 

El inicio de nuestra alianza con la Iglesia Cristiana Verbo de Cuenca se origina en una reunión inspirada por Dios, y de  manera similar, se da el impulso para que esta alianza se extendiera a una nueva región.

Hace un par de años atrás la Iglesia Verbo de Cuenca inició una iglesia en la ciudad de El Guabo, en las afueras de Machala, una ciudad de 250,000 habitantes. Cuando esta iglesia inicio los movimientos de tierra  para construir su propia estructura física, decidieron  invitar a un líder de Verbo Cuenca para compartir en la celebración. Carlos Serrano quien a su vez también es un líder de Cuenca Partners, un afiliado de Partners Worldwide, participó en el evento y aprovechó de la oportunidad para compartir lo que estaba haciendo con negocios en Cuenca.

Posterior a la celebración se inició un dialogo que se extendió por varios meses de tal forma que así fue creciendo la visión para un ministerio de negocios hasta que se logró conformar el equipo de liderazgo que tendría la responsabilidad de guiar este ministerio en El Guabo y Cuenca. Esta alianza es única porque involucra empresarios y ancianos no solo de una iglesia sino de cuatro. Las Iglesias Verbo de la provincia de El Oro ministran como un equipo unido en cuatro ciudades de la región, y de manera oportuna ellos han implementado el mismo enfoque de equipo para poder ofrecer capacitaciones de negocios, mentorias y una visión de los negocios como ministerio a sus congregaciones, sus ciudades y Dios mediante poder llevarla a la provincia entera.  

Los empresarios visionarios de estas iglesias están dando pasos de fe a medida que levantan   "Camino de Emprendedores", nombre de su ministerio nuevo. Sin embargo, no están solos en el proceso, ya que líderes de Cuenca Partners se comprometieron a viajar las tres horas  que toma para llegar a El Guabo desde Cuenca y así poder compartir con sus hermanos  del El Guabo lo que ellos aprendieron en los últimos dos años luego de haber formado el ministerio en Cuenca. De igual manera, Partners Worldwide está activamente facilitando enlaces con empresarios cristianos norteamericanos que quieren apoyar este ministerio local.

Esto es la esencia de una alianza que sienta sus bases en los  negocios como ministerio—sembrando la visión, caminando junto con otros empresarios cristianos de varias partes del mundo y dando pasos de fe para seguir el llamado de Dios de generar un impacto en negocios, familias y  comunidades a través de los negocios.

Seminar Planned for Small Business Owners

Cuenca Partners is an international movement of businesspeople and professionals that has as its goal the establishment and guidance of entrepreneurial ventures that provide employment. For this reason, it is currently planning a Business Plan seminar.

The Business Plan seminar is for small business owners and entrepreneurs in Cuenca, who will receive training over the course of several weeks in a practical guide for executing their business ideas.

“Different types of businesses are discussed, with essential lessons such as how to structure a business, identifying your target market, marketing strategies, finance, accounting, and others,” mentioned Carlos Serrano, director of Cuenca Partners. One of the participants in the seminars is Marcelo Serrano, who has a business called Diserval. Serrano said that during the classes he received guidance for his business, marketing strategies, and operational management, according to the needs of the business. Among the objectives that Diserval has identified and attained through this training is improvement in sales and the addition of new stores. Diserval has two showrooms in Cuenca and will be opening exhibition areas in Machala, Guayaquil, and Quito. (LVC)

Cuenca.

Translated into English from story run in El Tiempo newspaper in Cuenca, Ecuador on April 8, 2014. Original story in Spanish may be viewed here.

Se desarrolla seminario para microempresarios

Noticia publicado en el periodico El Tiempo de Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador el 8 de Abril de 2014.

Cuenca Partners es un movimiento internacional de empresarios y profesionales que tiene como fin establecer y dar seguimiento a emprendimientos que generen fuentes de trabajo. Por ello actualmente se encuentra desarrollando el seminario Plan de negocios.

Plan de negocios está dirigido a microempresarios y emprendedores cuencanos, que durante varias semanas reciben capacitaciones en las que se les muestra una guía práctica para ejecutar sus ideas comerciales.

Leer la noticia en diario El Tiempo aqui.

Cuenca Partners Helps to Start New Ventures

Rediseguros Brokers and Pizza Nostra are two business ventures that were able to start on a strong footing thanks to the support of Cuenca Partners. “This non-profit organization with a social impact is supportd by a North American NGO called Partners Worldwide,” indicated Carlos Serrano, representative in Cuenca. It is a project that seeks to support entrepreneurs with business ideas that need guidance to put those ideas into practice. Rediseguros Brokers is a business run by the couple Brigitte Cordova and Ivan Coellar, who offer a variety of insurance options.

With a year and a half in the market, their goal is to offer clients a trusted insurance option, advising clients to see the best form of insuring their property, according to Cordova. Pizza Nostra began as the dream of its owner, Patricio Hurtado, who brought his idea to this organization, where Carlos Serrano helped him to crystallize the business. The training lasted two weeks, during which all involved learned to organized their various ideas and put them into practice. The contact for Patricio with Cuenca Partners came through the Verbo Christian Church. (COR)

Translation of story published in Spanish in El Mercurio newspaper on April 4, 2014 in Cuenca Ecuador. Read the original story in Spanish on El Mercurio’s website.

Cuenca Partners ayuda a iniciar emprendimientos

Noticia publicada en el periodico El Mercurio de Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador el 4 de abril de 2014.

Rediseguros Brokers y la Pizza Nostra, son dos emprendimientos que lograron cincretarse gracias al apoyo de la Fundación Cuenca Partners. Este organismo, con función social y sin fines de lucro, es apadrinada por una ONG de Estados Unidos, llamada Partners Worldwide, indicó Carlos Serrano, representante en Cuenca. Este es un proyecto que busca apoyar a emprendedores con ideas de negocio, que requieren una guía para su aplicación. En el caso de Rediseguros Brokers es un negocio de los esposos Brigitte Córdova e Iván Coellar, que ofrecen una variedad de seguros.

Leer toda la historia en la pagina del diario El Mercurio.

Passion for Bread

Fernando was born in San Pedro Sula on June 20th of 1986 and currently resides in the city of Sabanagrande (45 minutes away from the capital). He is engaged to his girlfriend Carolina, with whom also shares a passion for bakery and pastries.

Fernando is part of an entrepreneurial family. His aunt started a bakery that today is one of the largest in the city of Sabanagrande. Fernando used to regularly help his Aunt with all sorts of tasks in the bakery.

However, he struggled when he decided to step out from the bakery and find a formal job. Concerned about not having an income, Fernando decided to rent a vehicle and talk to his aunt about managing the distribution for the bakery business. Originally, his aunt baked the bread and different families, small convenient stores, and customers would pick up their orders directly from the store. However, Fernando's vision opened the door for innovation that allowed them to compete with other bakeries by offering delivery services - especially to communities with remote access and little coverage from the competition.

In addition to creating a source of income for Fernando, his vision made it possible  for communities to have access to products for which people previously had to walk long walking-distances to purchase. He also employs an additional person within this business.

As demand was increasing in other communities, Fernando invested a lot of time in analyzing the implications of his income and expense accounting.  As a result, he realized the importance of acquiring his own vehicle to be able to deliver the merchandise.  because his profit margin was very low due to the high costs of renting a vehicle.

Upon noticing the same thing, his fiancé Carolina, who helps him with the accounting and the distribution encouraged him to take the step of doing something different in his business. Being members of a Christian Reformed Church, they heard about Diaconia Nacional, and the loan program for small business owners.

Through this, Fernando was able to get a L. 100,000 ($5,000) loan to buy his own vehicle that has allowed him to grow his business and reach to other communities. Not only that, Carolina, who comes with him during the delivery routes, has been able to promote her business of pastries specialties to the bread customers.

Together they are not only bringing bread to remote communities but also pastry services such as cakes for birthdays, weddings, and other special events.

Fernando concludes that without Diaconía he would not had been able to grow his business.

Diaconía Nacional, a local business affiliate of Partners Worldwide in Honduras, works with more than 50 entrepreneurs in Tegucigalpa, sabanagrande and Olancho. The work of Diaconia Nacional has been supported by its global business affiliate, the Honduras Pella team.

Fernando delivering bread to the communities in Sabanagrande.

Fernando with his fiance Carolina.

This is the vehicle Fernando was able to purchase with the loan.

Pasion por el Pan

Fernando nació en la ciudad de San Pedro Sula el 20 de Junio de 1986 y actualmente reside en la ciudad de Sabanagrande (a  45 minutos de la capital). Esta comprometido con su novia Carolina, con quien además comparte la pasión por la repostería y la panadería.

Fernando es parte de una familia de gente emprendedora. Su tía inició una panadería, la cual es ahora la más grande de la ciudad de Sabana grande. Fernando siempre colaboraba en la panadería con las tareas que su tía requiriera de él.

Sin embargo, cuando él ya decide salir de la panadería para formalmente obtener un empleo, le fue imposible hacerlo. Con la preocupación de obtener una fuente de ingreso, Fernando decidió alquilar un carro/flete y habló con su tía para manejar la distribución de la panadería. Originalmente, su tía elaboraba el pan y diferentes familias, pulperías y clientes llegaban a recogerlo. Sin embargo, la visión de Fernando dio lugar a innovación que les permitió competir con las otras panaderías ofreciendo el servicio a domicilio, especialmente a comunidades donde las rutas más comunes no transitaban.

Además de crear una nueva fuente de ingreso para Fernando, su visión hizo posible que comunidades tuvieran acceso a un producto por lo cual antes era necesario hacer largos recorridos para obtenerlo. Además, emplea a una persona adicional.

A medida que la demanda crecía en otras comunidades, Fernando invirtió mucho tiempo en analizar las implicaciones de su contabilidad de sus ingresos y gastos.  Como resultado, se dio cuenta de la importancia de obtener un automóvil propio para poder llevar la mercadería ya que su margen de ganancia era muy bajo debido a los altos costos de alquiler de automóvil.

Al darse cuenta de lo mismo, su prometida Carolina, quien le apoya en la parte de contabilidad y con la distribución, le animó a tomar un paso diferente en su negocio. Siendo ambos miembros de la iglesia Reformada en Sabanagrande, escucharon de Diaconía Nacional, y de la opción de préstamos que ellos ofrecían para pequeños empresarios.

Fue así como a través de un préstamo de L. 100,000 (approx $5,000), Fernando  pudo comprar un vehículo propio que ahora le ha permitido crecer su negocio y llegar a otras comunidades. No solo eso, pero Carolina, quien también elabora pasteles y repostería para eventos, le acompaña durante los envíos logrando promocionar su negocio.

Juntos desean poder no solo acceder a comunidades donde hay pocos centros de distribución de pan pero también ofrecer servicios de repostería para fiestas de cumpleaños, bodas, quince años, y otros eventos especiales en lugares remotos.

Fernando concluye que sin el apoyo de Diaconía, él no hubiera podido crecer su negocio!

Diaconia Nacional - un afiliado local de Partners Worldwide en Honduras - trabaja con mas de 50 pequeños emprendedores en Tegucigalpa, Sabanagrande, y Olancho. El trabajo de Diaconia Nacional ha sido impulsado y apoyado por su socio global, un equipo de líderes empresariales de Pella, Iowa.

Fernando haciendo entrega del pan a comunidades en Sabanagrande.

Fernando con su prometida Carolina.

Este es el nuevo automovil que Fernando pudo comprar con el prestamo.

Business Investing in the Future Generation

Giovanni is an entrepreneur from Nueva Suyapa. He started around a year ago with a food business where he sells typical Honduran food such as fried chicken, plantain chips, and other Honduran snacks. In addition to this, he has created unique formulas of popsicles made of Honduran tropical fruits, cereal grains, and others. These are sold daily in different schools and institutions in the community as well as in his business. Giovanni also takes a cooler to the famous Agafam soccer field and sells to the teams.

Children in the community

God has given Giovanni a heart for young boys, especially those that do not have a father figure to nurture them. In addition to his  own 7 year old son that he dearly loves and that he has been educating with Christian values, he also teaches Sunday school to 6-8 year old boys..

Many boys from the community have joined his Sunday school class and now receive the love and education that many do not receive at home.

At his son's request, Giovanni visited a high-end soccer academy, Futeca, close by Nueva Suyapa. Although he didn't have the resources to pay for his child to attend, through a friend, he was able to get his son a free-trial class. The coach was impressed with his son's talent on the field and invited Giovanni to bring more of the kids he supports at no charge to form a team to play against the kids that are training in the academy.

Giovanni now takes and trains around 25 kids to play soccer every Saturday morning. Some of them have no access to transportation or can't even afford to buy a pair of cleats. But Giovanni says, "Through my business I have been able to support these teams. Many of these kids have no parents and they have found a place where they feel part of a family. In addition, we are keeping them away from being involved in gangs".

Giovanni is an entrepreneur from the Stewardship Christian Ministries (SCM) network, local affiliate of Partners Worldwide. SCM has worked close to nine years with its partner the Honduras Pella Affiliate. The Pella team has made it possible that entrepreneurs like Giovanni have access to capital to invest within their businesses.

Giovanni's team (red) at the end of a friendly game.

Team of children with some of the attending parents.

Giovanni and his son holding the trophy of 2nd
place in the Futeca tournament.

Empresa Invierte en las Futuras Generaciones

Giovanni es un emprendedor en Nueva Suyapa. El inicio un negocio de comida hace alrededor de un año donde vende comida típica hondureña como pollo frito, tajaditas de plátanos, y otras golosinas Hondureñas. También ha creado recetas únicas de diferentes sabores de paletas de frutas tropicales, granos, y otros productos. Estas paletas se venden diariamente en diferentes escuelas e instituciones de la comunidad como también directamente desde su negocio. Giovanni muchas veces lleva algunas hieleras al famoso campo de futbol Agafam y les vende a los jugadores.

Niños  en la Comunidad

Dios le ha dado a Giovanni un corazón por los jóvenes, especialmente aquellos que no crecieron con la figura paternal. Además de ser educador de su propio hijo de 7 años a través de valores cristianos, el también ensena en las escuela dominical a niños de 6 a 8 años.

Muchos niños de la comunidad se han añadido a su clase de escuela dominical y reciben el amor y la educación que muchas veces carecen en sus hogares.

A petición de su hijo, un día, Giovanni visito una academia de futbol exclusiva llamada Futeca, cerca de Nueva Suyapa.A pesar que no tenia los recursos para poder inscribir a su hijo, a través de un amigo, el pudo obtener que su hijo recibiera una clase gratuita. El entrenador impresionado con el talento de su hijo en la cancha, invito a Giovanni a traer a mas niños de la comunidad para formar a un equipo y poder entrenar y competir con los niños de su academia.

El día de hoy, Giovanni lleva a 25 niños a jugar y entrenar futbol cada Sábado por la mañana. Muchos de ellos no tienen acceso al transporte y ni siquiera tienen la capacidad económica para comprar un par de zapatos deportivos. Pero Giovanni nos comenta " A través de mi negocio he podido apoyar a estos equipos. Muchos de estos niños no tienen padres y aquí han encontrado un lugar donde se sienten parte de una familia. Además, estamos evitando y protegiendo que ellos se involucren con algún tipo de pandilla".

Giovanni es un emprendedor de la red de Ministerios Cristianos de Mayordomía (MCM), afiliado local de Partners Worldwide. MCM ha trabajado por más de 9 años con el afiliado global de Pella, IA. El equipo de Pella, ha hecho posible que emprendedores como Giovanni tengan acceso a capital para invertir en sus negocios.

Equipo de Giovanni (rojos) despues de un juego amistoso.

Equipo de ninos con algunos de sus padres.

Giovanni y su hijo sosteniendo el trofeo de 2o lugar
del torneo de Futeca.

Creating a Christian Business Network

Business Covenant Network is a ministry of entrepreneurs of Abundant Life Christian Church with the purpose of serving the entrepreneurs of its church and developing business relationships that will lead to a stronger bond and community amongst the business people.

With this goal in mind, the idea of creating a business tradeshow was born. This was an event at which 50 entrepreneurs of the church were facilitated a space within the church to be able to present and market their product or service.

"It was very successful, I only brought with me product to exhibit but sold everything I had with me. We had a good number of people and were able to fulfill the objective of the event," comments Saul Contreras, leader of GEP and a business owner representing two businesses in the tradeshow. "This event opened my business eyes, and it allowed me to see the great need for more marketing."

"As Saul said, the objective of the event was fulfilled, which was to be able to market our products. I took products to exhibit, and knew that selling them would only be an extra benefit. Anyway, I was able to sell all the merchandise I was exhibiting. Many others have come to my business and bought my products," narrates Damaris Lopez, owner of the Damaris Collection jewelry.

This event was well accepted among the business community as well as the church. GEP is planning to host this tradeshow again next year, but with the goal of doubling the number of businesses present.

Business Covenant Network is one of the local affiliates of Partners Worldwide located in Tegucigalpa and working with Entrust, its Global Business Affiliate in an international mentoring program. Let's continue to keep this ministry in prayer so that more of these events and achievements may be cultivated through this tight Christian business community.

Damaris Lopez, owner of jewelry store Damaris Collection.

This is one of the representatives booths of the tradeshow sponsored by GEP.

Creando una Comunidad Empresarial Cristiana

Global de Empresarios (GEP) es un ministerio de empresarios de la Iglesia Cristiana Vida Abundante que tiene como propósito servir a los empresarios de su iglesia y desarrollar relaciones empresariales que conduzcan a crear una comunidad entre dicho grupo.

Con este objetivo nace la idea de realizar una expo feria, en la cual alrededor de 50 empresarios de la congregación tuvieron un espacio dentro de las instalaciones de la iglesia para poder presentar su producto o servicio a la comunidad .

"Fue un éxito, ya que el producto que lleve lo vendí en su totalidad. Estuvo lleno y se cumplió el objetivo del evento" nos comenta Saul Contreras, líder de GEP y propietario de  dos empresas representadas en la expo feria.  "A mí me abrió los ojos esta experiencia en la parte de negocios, y me hizo ver la necesidad de hacer mas mercadeo".

"Al igual que Saúl creo que el objetivo se cumplió, el cual era poder mercadear nuestro producto. En mi caso el producto que lleve a la feria y logre vender represento una utilidad extra a mi negocio  y posterior a la actividad  muchas personas  han visitado mi negocio y me han comprado productos" relataba Damaris Lopez, dueña de la joyería Damaris Collection.

Este evento fue bien aceptado ante la comunidad empresarial y la congregación, gracias a estos resultados  GEP tiene dentro de sus planes hacer otra expo feria el próximo año  y duplicar el número de empresas asistentes.

Global de Empresarios en Pacto es uno de los afiliados locales de Partners Worldwide ubicado en Tegucigalpa, quienes actualmente trabajan  con su afiliado global "Entrust" implementando  un programa de mentoria internacional. Continuemos llevando este ministerio en oración para que mas eventos y logros se puedan obtener a través de esta estrecha comunidad de empresarios cristianos.

Damaris Lopez, propietaria de joyeria Damaris Collection.

Este es uno de los stands que participaron en la expoferia de la GEP. 

Creating Strong Bonds Through Mentoring

Diaconia Nacional, one of Partners Worldwide local affiliates, has started this year with a mentoring pilot program. Each one of the loan officers of the microcredit program has identified those cases that need to receive a more personalized mentoring and that would be open for another entrepreneur to walk alongside with them offering advice, coaching, and encouraging them. On the other side, the loan officers have also spoken to those entrepreneurs that have grown and succeed in their business and that would like to have the opportunity to share their wisdom and experience.

Among one of these cases that have accepted this challenge and new path, are Gloria and Reina. Reina, featured in one of our past stories, is the owner of a party supplies store located in El Guanacaste, with a wide inventory of piñatas. Beyond being successful in her business, Reina has always shown a servant heart to help with her gifs and talents to all those that could benefit from it. In this case, Reina was presented the opportunity to become a local mentor to the Gloria's miscellaneous store, and she accepted it.

Gloria, an entrepreneurial woman since her 14 years, currently resides in Nueva Suyapa and owns a miscellaneous store. Before, Gloria owned a pulperia (convenient store in the neighborhood) but due to the war tax (regular fee requested by threaten by the gangs) and the threatens from the gangs, she closed her pulperia. Her daughter, who resides in the United States, sends her containers with various kitchen, clothes, shoes, and other type of products. Gloria has created a small store in her house where she exhibits her products. Due to fear to threatens, Gloria keeps it closed most of the time and only invites her friends and referrals to do shopping.

Gloria and Reina had their first meeting this past Thursday, August 29, where they were introduced by the loan officer, Leda Rivera. It was very special to see how both woman opened up and show willingness and enthusiasm to start this relationship. Reina, being a woman with a lot of experience, shared many ideas with Gloria, but the highlight of that meeting is that she was able to identify Gloria's main problem: she is afraid of threatens. The lack of organization, marketing, good collection processes are not the main challenges Gloria is facing, but her fear to be asked for the war tax or that the thieves find her business is running.

This introductory session was a good icebreaker time, but it was not only filled of business principles, but foremost of an encouraging and praying spirit so that Gloria could lose her fear to continue developing her business and improve it. We pray that this relationship will continue developing successfully and that it can have an impact in both entrepreneur's lives.

Gloria's Miscellaneous store.

Gloria (left) and Reina (right) fixing prices to some
of her products.

Creando Lazos Fuertes a Traves de la Mentoria

Diaconia Nacional, uno de los afiliados locales de Partners Worldwide, ha iniciado este año con un proyecto piloto de mentoria. Cada uno de los asesores del programa de créditos ha identificado aquellos casos que necesitan recibir una orientación mas personalizada y le gustaría que otro empresario le apoyara caminando a su lado para guiarle, darle consejos y animarle. Por otro lado, se ha hablado y concientizado con algunos empresarios que han crecido y que sus negocios son exitosos y se les ha estrechado la invitación para poder compartir su conocimiento y su experiencia.

Entre uno de los casos que han accedido a poder tomar este reto y nuevo camino, están Gloria y Reina. Reina, titulada anteriormente en una historia de nuestro blog, es propietaria de una tienda de artículos para fiestas ubicada en el Guanacaste, con un amplio inventario de piñatas.  Además de ser exitosa en su tienda, Reina siempre ha mostrado un corazón servicial para ayudar con sus talentos y dones a todo el que lo necesite. En este caso, se le presento la oportunidad de ayudar a Gloria con su negocio de misceláneos y ella acepto.

Gloria, una mujer emprendedora desde los 14 años, actualmente residiendo en la Colonia Nueva Suyapa, posee una tienda de misceláneos. Anteriormente, Gloria tenía una pulperia, pero debido al impuesto de guerra y amenazas de las maras, ella cerro su pulperia. Su hija que reside en los Estados Unidos le envía cajas por barco de productos varios de cocina, ropa, zapatos y otros. Gloria ha hecho un pequeño almacén en su casa, donde exhibe sus productos. Debido al miedo de las amenazas, Gloria lo mantiene cerrado y solo invita a sus amigos y personas conocidas a comprar sus productos.

Gloria y Reina tuvieron su primera reunión el pasado Jueves 29 de Agosto, donde les introdujo la asesora de créditos Leda Rivera. Fue muy especial ver como ambas mujeres se abrieron y mostraron disposición y entusiasmo en desarrollar esta relación. Reina, siendo una mujer con mucha experiencia, compartió muchas ideas con Gloria, pero lo más importante pudo detectar el principal problema de Gloria: ella tenía miedo de recibir amenazas. La falta de organización, mercadeo, buenos procesos de cobranza entre otros no son el principal problema que esta mujer enfrenta, si no que su miedo a que le cobran la cuota del impuesto o que los ladrones conozcan la existencia de su negocio.

Esta sesión introductoria para romper el hielo, no estuvo llena únicamente de conceptos de negocios, pero también de un espíritu animador y de oración por Gloria para que ella perdiera su miedo a poder desarrollar su negocio y poder traer muchas mejoras a este. Oramos para que esta relación continúe desarrollándose exitosamente y pueda impactar la vida de ambas empresarias.

 

Gloria (izquierda) y Reina (derecha) fijando
 precios de los productos.

Gloria y su tienda de productos miscelaneos.

Passion for Making Pizza Leads to Success

CUENCA, Ecuador --- Though he sells pizza in his Spanish-speaking country, Ecuadorian Patricio Hurtado retains a slice of Italy in his restaurant’s name: Pizza Nostra, which translates as “Our Pizza” in Italian. The name fits, because Patricio’s pride and joy belongs not only to him as the owner, but to the community, his growing number of employees, and to the God who led the restaurateur down this entrepreneurial path.

“Ever since I was about 16 or 17 years old, I have been involved in business,” said Patricio, the father of two grown sons. His wife, Emma, is a tradeswoman who sells clothing in an open air market. “As a teenager, I bought shoes in Gualaceo (a town famous for shoes) and sold them elsewhere." Decades later, his creative capacity for business prompted Patricio to pursue a new venture, one that would provide delicious fast food in a neighborhood with a shortage of restaurants (only one other eatery, a rotisserie chicken restaurant, existed). But first Patricio had to overcome fear of failure. “The doors opened and I could see my [pizzeria idea] was really from God,” he said. “Then I had confidence, faith, and peace.”

Linking arms with him on this journey are Carlos Serrano and Boris Ordóñez, both of Cuenca Partners, the local affiliate of Partners Worldwide, based in this city of half a million located in the highlands of Ecuador. Patricio took the Cuenca Partners business training course, and Carlos and Boris mentored him in everything from restaurant management to testing various dough and sauce recipes to achieve pizza perfection. After 6-7 months of planning, Pizza Nostra was born.

“[Opening a restaurant] was always something I found attractive,” Patricio said. “I like to work with my hands, being in the kitchen and cooking at my house. And I knew a pizza place could work well, according to people’s ability to pay. Food is a very practical business, not based on seller financing and credit; people pay immediately.”
 
Since opening a little over a year ago, Patricio has been able to create jobs for three employees―Juan, Nina, and Edward. Juan, whom Patricio knew from the Bible study group hosted in his home, works evenings, delivering pizzas on his motorcycle. Nina, a student, also works evenings. Edward, on the other hand, was the first employee, working shoulder to shoulder with Patricio from the start. They met by chance after Edward's previous employer closed his business and sold Patricio an industrial cheese shredder. While closing the sale, 
the former boss recommended Edward as an excellent worker. Unemployed at the time, Edward had valuable experience running three pizzerias in Ecuador and Columbia. Investing his passion in his work, Edward beams with joy as he kneads pizza crust, only a year after being unemployed with few prospects. In September, Edward will have saved enough money to open his own pizzeria once more, this time armed with what he’s learned about successful business management through Patricio. Edward’s goal? “To be able to open more businesses that can help other people and me as well.”
 
Though Patricio will lose a hardworking employee in Edward, it’s gratifying that the worker he’s taken under his wing now plans to open his own business. Patricio believes God is blessing his enterprise in a way that no other business venture of his has been blessed. While he worked in various industries in the past—selling fabric, producing powdered drinks and candy, and promoting good eye care—this is the first time Patricio has had a vision for growth. These prior attempts struggled within a changing Ecuadorian marketplace, but in God’s redemptive economy led to Patricio’s salvation years ago. Now, Pizza Nostra is different. Patricio plans to open a second location of his successful business in the coming year.
 
“Many people have said, ‘There is something special about the owner of this business,’” Patricio said. “By giving good customer service with a smile, people notice a difference, and in this way we have been able to sow seeds for Christ.”

Read this story on the Partners Worldwide website here.

Well-Nurtured Business Cares for Babies

AZOGUES, Ecuador --- Inspired by the birth of his son Mateo―and the realization that running out of diapers is not an option―Pedro opened a baby supply store three-and-a-half years ago in the town of Azogues. With a vision to serve clients well, Pedro’s business has expanded from his original store to a second store in a close-by community. Like a well fed, well cared-for baby, his business is growing and thriving.

“I’ve learned that my business belongs to God, that everything is his and I am a steward,” Pedro said.  “God is showing me that he is the true owner of everything and I am seeing his blessing.”

Born in a city near the Peruvian border, Pedro moved to Azogues and met his wife, Anita, a school teacher. Though the town of 34,000, located in an Andean valley northeast of Cuenca, has an economy based in agriculture, flour milling, and Panama hat weaving, unemployment is high, and Pedro found it very difficult to find a job. “People didn’t want to hire me because I’m not from here,” he said. “I had many ideas of starting different businesses.  But there was always this fear that the businesses wouldn't go well.  What if the people didn't like my products?”

After Mateo’s birth, Pedro and Anita realized there was a product they could sell that would always be in demand: diapers, not to mention wipes, formula, teething rings, and other baby essentials. Yet Pedro lacked solid training and access to the wider circles of exchange that would allow him to develop his strengths and talents. His business floundered at first, and he contemplated giving up and moving someplace with more jobs.
 
The turning point for Pedro was taking a business training course through Cuenca Partners, the local affiliate of Partners Worldwide in nearby Cuenca. The course “was a huge help for me because I didn't know anything about business,” said Pedro.  “I was taught how to manage the store, take it to the next level, do bookkeeping—all of it. There was an 80% transformation of the business after I took the course.”

One thing he learned was the principle of inventory control. “When we get down to three (items) of a product, we need to start ordering more,” he said. By quickly replenishing dwindling supplies, Pedro runs the kind of store his clients can rely on.

“Pedro has products in stock that at any point his competitors might not have,” said Carlos Serrano, who currently works part-time for Cuenca Partners and part-time for Verbo Church.  “His clients come to him because of that dependability.”

Along with dependability, there’s integrity and the desire “to be faithful to God in everything.” This means resisting the temptation to buy cheaper but stolen goods for his store. “I know it’s not right,” Pedro said. “I only buy things with receipts so that everything goes well.”

Today, the store is bustling; it’s not unusual for Pedro to serve ten customers in ten minutes. The demand is so high that Pedro opened a second location eight blocks away and hired an employee to run it. Both baby stores are flourishing, as Pedro works hard and dreams of building his business, providing for his family and meeting the needs of his community.

“Time will tell what else we can do in the business,” Pedro said. “God has great plans for my life—I am convinced.  Now my goal is to stay faithful to Him.”

Read the story on the Partners Worldwide website here.