Meet Edith

As a mother, Edith always dreamed of providing a better life for her children—one where they could work hard and thrive. When Edith joined Grameen America in 2017, she opened a restaurant in Charlotte, NC with the hope of running a family business and creating a lasting legacy.

Before she became a business owner, Edith cleaned houses while her husband worked as a chef in restaurants. Edith always dreamed of owning a business, but it didn’t start to take shape until a friend told her about an available restaurant space in the neighborhood. Around the same time, another friend introduced her to Grameen America, an organization that could help bring her vision to life. That moment marked a turning point where her ambition of owning a business met opportunity.

“Grameen America gave me the opportunity to achieve my dream. Now, I have a successful business that allows me to spend more time with my family and build something lasting for my children.”

With her savings and first-time loan from Grameen America, Edith opened an authentic Mexican restaurant serving tacos, gorditas, and pambazos—an homage to the flavors of her heritage. A few years in, her husband joined as the head chef, turning the restaurant into a true family-run business. Edith has also encouraged a new generation of entrepreneurs in her own home. Inspired by their mother’s entrepreneurial journey, Edith’s two daughters joined Grameen America and now own a bakery business. Together, their family is building a legacy rooted in food and culture.

“The most rewarding part is not just being a mother, but also a role model to my two daughters.”

When COVID-19 hit, Edith’s business faced a decline in sales but she never gave up on her employees, community, or her dream. The restaurant not only survived but also grew. Today, Edith leads a staff of twelve people. Edith has also steadily increased her loan size to $15,000 and plans to invest in a new project: running a food truck. Her determination through hardship has become a source of inspiration in her children and community.

“My next project is opening and running a food truck. It’s a way to keep growing, provide more jobs, and give back to the community.”