Zulay
A loan of $9,500 helps a Venezuelan immigrant widow buy equipment to launch her cleaning business.
Zulay's story
Hello, my name is Zulay, and I am from Venezuela. I am 57 years old and came to the United States as a refugee two years ago. I had to leave my country due to the difficult economic and social situation, and because my family and I were persecuted for a long time. Tragically, my husband was also pursued and killed there.
Back in Venezuela, I worked in a hotel for many years, starting as a housekeeper and eventually becoming a supervisor. Through this experience, I gained valuable skills in maintenance and customer service, as the hotel provided training in addition to what I learned on the job.
A few months ago, a kind woman at a church gifted me a sewing machine. I initially thought I would start a business using it, but I realized it would be better to leverage my extensive experience in cleaning and maintenance. In September, I officially registered my business, and I am eager to begin operating soon.