Maria Virginia started off with one of the most frightening business plans of all the clients from our first group.  She had wanted to open a French Fry cart, needing the loan to buy a metal cart to cook and display the product.  Her business model was absolutely no good though, so the BA (with the help of our fearless leaders Chutta & Kristin too) worked hard to come up with alternatives.  The biggest problem seemed to be that the costs of potatoes were just too much, she should have reduced the amount of fries given & she was not selling enough volume to cover the costs of oil & the cart.

We had a rough time initially finding alternatives that seemed viable to her, but poco a poco she was somewhat acceptive to the new ideas.  Luckily for Dona Virgina she was never able to find the cart she desired and within a month realized that the cart was not a wise investment unless her sales were much higher.  So she stuck to making them in a simple metal pot.  Through the loan process she decided to add to her plan selling pork rinds as well as  French fries.

Dona Virgina has shown the most interest out of any of the clients concerning the Business Education sessions.  She has recognized the importance of planning, and even touts it now at the meetings, encouraging others to do the same.  Her biggest challenge has been to finally move outside her comfort zone and sell her products to a larger base of clients.  She currently only sells within the confines of the packaging plant she is custodian to; selling to the employees.  The BA hopes he can get her to move outside the gates next cycle.  She plans to continue next cycle, buying a fridge and adding frozen fruit to her treats for sale.