Graciete is a hardworking mother of four children with an incredible story of resilience and growth. For years, she worked as a fishmonger, but her income was unpredictable. Since fish is a seasonal product in her area, she often struggled during the off-season. Without a refrigerator to store large quantities, she couldn’t keep fish fresh or sell it year-round.
Determined to find a more stable source of income, Graciete took a leap of faith. Using some of her profits, she purchased a few shelves and started selling assorted grocery items from her home. However, without proper business knowledge, she quickly realized she wasn’t making a profit. Her small store lacked organization and strategy, making it difficult to grow.
That all changed when Mentors International stepped in. Through personalized mentoring and training, Graciete learned essential business skills that transformed her venture. She began to track which products were most popular with her customers, allowing her to make smarter purchasing decisions. She reinvested her profits wisely, adding more shelves and expanding her product variety to meet local demand.
Today, her once modest setup has blossomed into a full-fledged mini-grocery store with ten shelves stocked with in-demand products. While she still doesn’t sell fish during the off-season due to the lack of refrigeration, her business now provides her with a steady, year-round income, giving her and her children greater financial stability.
But Graciete’s ambitions don’t stop there. With the continued support of her mentor, she is now working on officially licensing her business—a significant step toward long-term sustainability. As part of the licensing process, she plans to install a customer toilet, improving the shopping experience and enhancing her store’s professionalism.
Graciete’s inspiring journey is a powerful reminder that small beginnings, paired with determination and the right guidance, can lead to remarkable success. Her story is a testament to the impact of mentoring, training, and the courage to embrace new opportunities.
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