Meet Bertha
Bertha’s bakery is building a multi-generational legacy in Los Angeles, CA. Bertha and her husband started their business from their home, working side-by-side to open a bakery in the community known for its Mexican-style cookies. Now, Bertha’s youngest son is carrying on the family-run business to open more locations.
Years ago, Bertha and her husband worked in a bakery together, but decided to use their skills to start their own business. They began selling donuts out of their home to customers in their local community and soon opened a bakery named Roberta’s, after a child that Bertha lost.
“My husband is the lead baker and comes from a family of entrepreneurs. He loves to bake and I love to sell. My kids are my biggest motivation. Being my own boss allowed me to take care of my kids, bring them to school, and fully raise them.”
Before Grameen America, Bertha’s biggest challenge was accessing funds to afford ingredients and equipment for her business. In 2014, Bertha joined Grameen America and used her first loan to buy flour and sugar in bulk to increase production. One of the first benefits Bertha saw was an improvement in her credit score, which has now been critical for getting approved to help buy houses for her children.
“Grameen America has opened many doors for me to advance my business and in turn, help my family. The biggest impact is being able to help the people in my family. I’ve been able to pay for the education of all my kids and help them buy their first homes. I’ve also been able to financially support my parents and siblings.”
2016
Bertha photographed in her bakery during a 2016 visit from Grameen America. In 2016, Bertha received her largest contract for just over $10,000 for her well-known cookies.
2016
In 2016, Bertha and her husband would take turns traveling up to 90 miles outside of Los Angeles to sell their cookies at fairs and farmer’s markets.
For Bertha’s husband, a typical day starts at 4:00am while Bertha arrives with breakfast for the employees at 9:00am. Together, Bertha and her husband work until they close at 8:00pm. The bakery also makes baked goods for school events, birthdays, and weddings. In addition to Bertha and her family, the bakery has seven employees.
“One of the best feelings is when people thank me for products that I make from my own hands. The community knows our bakery for treating people well. I always find a way to give and donate baked goods for funerals in the community.”
The most popular item is Mexican-style cookies, sold in-store, at local farmer’s markets, and shipped to other states. On a single day, Bertha’s bakery makes and packages 400-450 boxes of cookies.
“I want other entrepreneurs to keep going and know that little by little, your business can improve and over time, you can achieve your dream. I enjoy helping other people with advice on how to run their business or take advantage of Grameen America microloans.”
Bertha has become friends with the fellow entrepreneurs in Grameen America’s program and enjoys offering advice and guidance to people starting or growing small businesses like hers. To date, Bertha has received $190,000 in capital from Grameen America to expand her bakery’s success.
