Meet Ilian
When Ilian opened her Western wear store in New York, NY eight years ago, owning her own business felt like a second chance at life, allowing her to gain financial independence and provide for her three children.
“Both of my grandmothers were in business and that inspired me a lot. I started my own business because I wanted to gain financial freedom.”
As a full-time mother going through a divorce, Ilian wanted to be able to better support her children. She decided to open a business that combined her Mexican culture with Western wear. Ilian’s best-selling products are boots, hats, and belts, known for their high-quality leather.
“I said to myself, ‘I know my traditions from Mexico, so I can bring that culture to this community.’ I taught myself about Western cowboy apparel and learned from scratch about selling boots and hats. Since I was a woman from New York City, people didn’t understand why I was involved in this business.”
“Small businesses make up a community. When you support a small business, you are supporting a family that is paying for the tuition of its children, for their food, and also for their time together.”
Ilian joined Grameen America in 2019 through a friend and fellow business owner in the community. At first, Ilian invested the extra loan capital in rent. Ilian has also taken financial education training, including ways to establish and improve credit. Over time, Ilian began to expand her inventory, including cowboy boots in different sizes to appeal to a larger customer base, and her business grew through word-of-mouth. Today, Grameen America has invested $60,000 into Ilian’s business.
“The other entrepreneurs in my group are remarkable people who are running a business while supporting and providing for their families. On days when I wake up and need motivation, I think of the bakery owners working early hours in the morning or those selling products outside in the cold. These business owners are my daily inspiration. They are heroes in so many ways. Having a community of women to support you is very powerful.”
“This store has built a community. This is about making a better world and a better experience for every human being.”
Ilian is currently working on developing her store’s website to sell products online. While she recognizes the importance of e-commerce, Ilian prefers in-person sales for the face-to-face connection and to ensure boots are custom-fitted for each customer. Ilian even attracts tourists to her store.
“I had customers from France and Ireland tell me they planned their trip ahead of time to stop in my store. Another customer from Canada visited because a friend recommended my store to her. These small stories are incredible. It makes me feel like my business is bigger than myself.”
