When I first submitted my application to CBA, my business idea was a security company inspired by my oldest son Erick, who has been a security officer for over two years. He’s young and smart, and I believed we could start a family business together. I thought I was a good administrator and that we could make it happen. But shortly after I submitted, I learned he had different plans and eventually moved to Arizona.
I decided to continue anyway because deep inside me lives an entrepreneur, and I wanted to take this opportunity and board this boat. My grandfather sold goods his whole life, but mostly he produced fireworks and managed over 50 employees. My mother embroidered home goods, made clothes, crocheted, or cooked food to sell. My father was never employed formally; I remember him waking up before sunrise and coming home very late, selling seasonal or miscellaneous merchandise. Today, he owns a small winery in Mexico. From them, I learned the importance of hard work at a young age.
When I moved to the U.S in 2000, I dreamed of traveling and exploring, but after having kids, I dedicated myself to raising them. When my husband passed away, I did the only thing I could think of, I started selling flowers. That paid the rent and put food on the table. It also led me into the world of decoration. My creativity and talent opened doors for me to learn and grow.
In 2006, I opened my first business with $5,000, no car, little knowledge of business structure, no English, and two small kids, four and two years old. I didn’t last a year, the rent kept catching up, and I had to close. But many of my customers continued hiring me over the years. Later, I worked in a factory and did decorations on weekends.
When my daughter was born in 2010, I started learning English through the ESL program. With three kids, it was hard to keep a full-time job, so I began cleaning houses. It grew so much that I hired two employees, but I soon learned how hard it was to find and keep good help. I also started losing houses when they required insurance and permits, I didn’t know how to proceed, and I was overwhelmed by high taxes.
I went back to school again, this time to take Photoshop, hoping to start a photography business. Meanwhile, I was volunteering full-time at my children’s school, and they loved my creativity so much that they hired me in 2018. I’m still there today, I run fundraisers, plan events, organize activities and decorate. Honestly, they’ve believed in me more than I’ve believed in myself.
Through all these years, I’ve continued taking college classes, only to feel disappointed by the low salaries in different careers. I’m tired of living paycheck to paycheck. That’s why I’ve never let go of my dream. I’ve continued making decorations, flower arrangements, balloon designs, and everything in between.
Life has thrown at me so many “life cards” and so many ups and downs, but I’ve always continued with business ideas. Some that have crossed my mind include; opening a shop with gadgets for crafters to start their own businesses, a play place, vending machines, selling on Teachers Pay Teachers, STEM kits, piñatas, jewelry, clay figures, and most recently, “party in a box.” I’ve always wanted to find balance and a business that allows me to be able to explore different paths, keep doing what I already do, and incorporate other services all under the same hat.
The LIFT coaching program has been a blessing on my journey, and I truly hope to be able to continue with the Community Business Academy.
Thank you for taking the time to read a little about my story.
Angelica Moreno Osori