The lights go out at the school, but Angélica’s day is just beginning.
She works as a school janitor, sweeping hallways and ensuring classrooms are ready. It is honest, grueling work, fueled by a single goal: providing for her three children. But Angélica knew that working harder wasn’t the same as moving forward. She didn’t need more hours in the day; she needed a new set of skills.
Angélica joined our Giving Machine sewing program to learn the art of sewing. But as any entrepreneur knows, a needle and thread are only half the battle. Through the Giving Machines, she received the essential tools to begin, which were immediately paired with practical business mentoring.
She didn’t just learn how to stitch a hem; she learned how to build a foundation. Her mentor walked her through the discipline of financial organization, tracking every cent, separating personal expenses from business income, and planning for growth.
Today, she is the founder of AyM, a brand with the slogan: “Handmade, between threads and hands of love.” She now has a goal with a solid plan to transition from manual labor to business ownership. Angélica isn’t just working for a paycheck anymore; she has the confidence to turn her labor into a sustainable family business.
