Adding to basket
Rubén Martínez is the proprietor of a handicrafts kiosk in the San Jacinto municipality in the town of Bolívar. He sells hats, drums, hammocks, backpacks, and general handicrafts that are produced in this municipality. He started this business after having worked in a handicraft store for over three years.
He bought a lot, and he built his house and a place for his store that he had planned during that time. Now he proudly lives there. Little by little he has built it up until he had it all arranged. Rubén says that even though he has had very good and very bad times, he never lost his enthusiasm. He has even more enthusiasm in these past years that his sales have improved. His business is located on the main road in a place where there are a lot of handicraft stores.
He has been involved with the Fundación Mario Santo Domingo for over two years. With the loans he has managed to have the cash to make his purchases at a good discount.
His goal is to have a large store with mechanisms to promote greater turnover. He also wants to have new customers in other regions of the country where they recognize the handicrafts produced in his town.
His greatest challenge is maintaining his wife’s health. She has had health issues, and she requires all of his affection and care. They have three children between the ages of 25 and 30.
With the loan from Kiva he will buy hats, drum sets, backpacks, hammocks, and chairs that he has orders for. He will also stock his place with lots of handicrafts. He will do this to takes advantage of the end of the year vacations when lots of travelers come to shop.
Translated from Spanish by Kiva volunteer Ginny Kalish. View original language description.
