From Traditional Garments to Poultry Profits: Isidra's Journey of Empowered Artistry and Entrepreneurship

Isidra, 33, first heard about VisionFund through her women friends. They had decided to start a savings group to take out a loan. But she quickly decided to take out her own individual loan ($330) to buy colorful thread to make the detailed traditional Guatemalan blouses. Depending on the level of intricacy, weaving the blouses can take between 15-30 days to create; on average she sells her blouses for US $200 each.  

During the pandemic, there was no market demand for artisan blouses. Thankfully, VisionFund offered Recovery Loans to clients whose businesses were struggling due to COVID. So, together with her husband and children, Isidra requested and received a Recovery Loan to start a chicken rearing business to diversify her portfolio.  

She said that at first it was very difficult, even though she had some knowledge about chickens because growing up, her family raised chickens. Isidra’s sister-in-law works with her on the chicken side of her business which now is going well. Post-pandemic, her blouse making business is also going well. She says she loves doing both businesses and each of them brings in about the same amount of profit.  

The next phase of Isidra’s business is to increase the number of chickens from 250 to 400. She is in a unique position since she is currently the only chicken farmer in the area, so she wants to take advantage of her market share to grow her business. 

Together with her loan officer, she has also appreciated the digital technology that has helped her to be more efficient. She likes the fact that Scarlett, her loan officer meets her at her business with her smartphone, and she doesn’t have to travel to the city to go to a branch office.

Isidra is supporting four women’s families in the community by employing them and now their families have improved well-being with the income they receive.