On Monday I worked with a group of women to identify characteristics that they relate to being a good entrepreneur. The activity was part of the professional training program they take part in as part of their loan through Fondo Esperanza, and to begin the session I asked one of the women to describe herself in a few words: “single” “indebted” and “sacrificial” were the ones she chose.
“I am a single mother in debt trying to keep my business afloat and sacrificing everything for my children. I am,” she continued, “the typical Chilean woman.”
Group members showing a collage they made of their "Caracteristicas Personales Emprendedoras" (Personal Entrepreneur Characteristics) - positive and bright, this collage is proof that attitudes can change!
Depressing? Somewhat. As the other women in the room laughed gravely and nodded their heads in agreement with this statement, I was reminded (as I often am here) that being an entrepreneur means something very different to these women than it means to me.
While the term “motivated self-starter” applies to all of Fondo Esperanza’s clients, the majority of them are in business because of basic necessity, not because of lofty dreams.
But the goal of this professional training program is to teach clients how to maximize their micro-credit: to grow their basic businesses into profitable and stable sources of income for themselves and their families. And the concept behind this particular exercise is that part of a healthy business is a healthy attitude.
On that note, loan officer Nancy quickly steered the conversation in another direction.
“Ok chiquillas,” she said, “but remember: we are here to discuss character traits that make you good entrepreneurs. Traits that help you get through the early mornings and the long hours and keep you motivated to work for your children.”
“¿Esfuerzo?” someone suggested.
“Exactly” said Nancy, “Esfuerzo (strength) is the positive side of sacrifice. Utilizing your strength means giving everything you have to provide for yourselves and your children. You can think of this as sacrifice, or you can think of this as seizing opportunities.
Now, let’s try this again. What other characteristics make good entrepreneurs?”
“PERSERVERANCE”
“RESPONSIBILITY”
“HONESTY”
“ENTHUSIASM”
Inspiring? Totally!
Of course this group’s outlook could not have changed completely in one morning, but I think they took one important step from fatalism to optimism.
Kati Mayfield is a Kiva Fellow who is working in Santiago, Chile at Fundacíon Esperanza. For more about other Kiva Fellow’s experiences, check out entries by La Vida Idealist bloggers Meg Gray, Rob Packer, Sheethal Shobowale and Suzy Marinkovich.
Latest posts by katimayfield
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