Meet Bertha: Turning an Entrepreneurial Dream into a Legacy for Her Family
In Houston, TX, Bertha transformed a lifelong dream into a thriving business. With support from Grameen America, she grew her snack shop, strengthened her financial security, and began building a legacy for her children.
“I’m a single mother, so it was hard to afford things and get things done without the support or help from anyone,” said Bertha. “Having my own business has helped me very much. I’ve been able to realize my dream as a woman to have a business for myself.”
Bertha dreamed of owning a business from a young age. But as a single mother raising three children, providing for her family always came first. By 2019, she decided it was time to pursue the dream she had carried with her for years. While working at a cleaning company, she worked hard but struggled to see a path toward greater financial security. In 2019, Bertha decided to bet on herself. She opened a shop selling aguas frescas —traditional fruit-based beverages— and Mexican snacks, combining her entrepreneurial spirit with the authentic flavors she loved to share with her community.
“What I sell is unique in my community,” said Bertha. “There wasn’t anyone else in the neighborhood selling aguas frescas so I’m able to provide authentic flavors.”
Although her business had potential, Bertha lacked access to the capital she needed to grow. She wanted to offer more products but lacked the financial resources to make those investments. After joining Grameen America in 2022 through the recommendation of a friend, she used loan capital to purchase bulk orders of products and equipment that helped her expand production and serve more customers.
“When a friend of mine invited me to join Grameen America, my business wasn’t selling enough and I felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere,” said Bertha. “I had tried to get loans from several places but couldn’t get approved. Joining Grameen America has made my life, finances, and business better. Loans from Grameen America are the foundation of my business – I was able to purchase more products and offer more variety to my customers. As a result, my business grew faster and sales increased.”
The impact extended far beyond the business itself. As her sales grew, Bertha gained greater financial security and peace of mind. Through the program, she also purchased a vehicle to support her business operations, helping her continue to grow.
“With Grameen America, I have less stress or worries about the future, more time for myself, and no financial stress,” said Bertha. “With the money earned from my business, I have been able to pay for my house, remodel it, and afford what my children needed for their education. Through the program, I’ve saved and increased my credit score, which helped me purchase a car for the business.”
Today, Bertha's business is truly a family endeavor. Two of her sons now work alongside her, helping operate the shop and continuing the entrepreneurial spirit she has instilled in them. Looking ahead, Bertha hopes to pass the business on to her children and create even more opportunities within her community.
“My two sons help me with everything – we work as a team,” said Bertha. “In the future, I hope to pass the business down to my children. Another goal of mine is to hire employees directly from my community to provide jobs for people and focus on marketing to gain more customers.”
Since joining Grameen America in 2022, Bertha has received $35,000 in loan capital to support her business. As she continues to grow, Bertha remains focused on building a lasting legacy—one that creates opportunity not only for her family, but for her entire community.