September 3, 2024, 10:31 AM
September 3, 2024, 10:31 AM
In a scenario where opportunities traditional jobs are scarce, young university graduates in Bolivia are choosing to start their own businesses as a way to secure their future and achieve financial independence. This increasingly common phenomenon responds to a series of factors that are shaping the entrepreneurial attitude of studentsaccording to René Salomón, representative of the Global Network of Entrepreneurs in Bolivia.
According to Salomón, during this time institutional support has also increased, with initiatives such as Empower-Twhich facilitate access to financing and resources for young entrepreneurs. Access to technology and social networks has transformed the way of doing business, allowing young people to reach a wider audience.
However, entrepreneurship is not easy; Students face challenges such as start-up costs and the need for sound financial management.
The The most common ventures include sales of clothing, trendy products, pastries and food, among others. Likewise, Salomón shared that it is crucial for young people to carefully plan and control their expenses to ensure the viability of their ventures.
EL DEBER spoke with some young university students, students of social communication, who have decided to undertake while maintaining their student responsibilities:
Greece Sandoval Bauer, Founder of GREBS, she was inspired by her mother to start her adventure in baking.
“Everything I know today is thanks to her and the knowledge she has passed on to me, each recipe created with love and dedication,” said Sandoval.
Greece She used part of the money she earned as a hostess at her town fair to open her cafe in San IgnacioFrom that pay, she used Bs 500 to buy ingredients and soft drinks to get started. Despite the initial challenges, her business flourished.
Currently, Grecia faces the challenge of balancing her time between her studies in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and her business, which is also expanding. Lack of equipment and limited space at home have been obstacles, But Sandoval continues to offer her products, such as strawberries and cream and brownies, to her university classmates and other customers, thus demonstrating her dedication and passion for baking.
Lucas Vargas (21), student of social communication at NUR University, decided to start his own business while continuing his studies. Inspired by his passion for baking and the support of his mother, he launched Lookies, a chocolate chip cookie business that she sells at her university.
The young entrepreneur faced difficulties in adjusting his production and controlling his emotions after initial success. By doubling his production, he did not sell everything, which taught him to be more cautious in his planning.
His advice for future entrepreneurs is: identify a passion, do quick research to understand the market and start with small steps, learning from mistakes. “We are at an age to learn, try new things and see mistakes as opportunities for growth,” Vargas said.
Camila Tarumani (21), another young entrepreneur, has managed to turn her love for fashion into a successful business while continuing her university studies.
Since she was little, she always felt a deep fascination for fashion, and seeing that many people shared that interest, she decided she could turn that passion into a source of income. “I was inspired by the idea of creating something of my own, a place where women can find pieces that make them feel confident and elegant,” Camila said.
Her business, Mila Shop, is characterized by offering basic and versatile garments, ideal for creating a capsule wardrobe. Tarumani stressed that while financial independence is important, her true motivation was to build something from scratch, a business that reflects her personal style and values.
Tarumani She started her business without an initial investment, beginning by reselling clothing and footwear. She reinvested the profits from early sales into expanding her inventory, and along the way, she found suppliers and people who helped her grow.
Fabiana Chavez, student and full-time entrepreneur, has shown that youth does not limit business success. At 22 years old, she is the creator of “Odisea”, an online fashion and trends store, inspired by her desire to have something of her own and the example of independent women on social media. “Odisea is my baby, of which I am very proud and which I plan to make grow even more,” she said enthusiastically.
On the challenges, she commented on facing the reality of manage your money responsibly and look for reliable suppliers, a complicated process due to economic instability. She also acknowledges that the current situation in Bolivia with the rise of the dollar has caused suppliers to increase the price of their products and she has had to raise the price of her products.
For Chavez, technology has made his entrepreneurial journey easier. The use of social media and platforms like TikTok has been crucial to the growth of his company, allowing him to reach a wider audience and connect with more people.
One of the biggest Fabiana’s satisfaction has been achieving financial independence at a young age. “The best thing about starting a business young is that you become completely independent and you can see the fruits of your work. At 20, I have managed to buy a car, which is a great achievement,” he said proudly.
In the future, Fabiana plans to expand Odisea and open a physical store. She is also considering offering entrepreneurship workshops for women, sharing her experience and motivation with others who want to follow in her footsteps. “Starting a business at an early age is difficult, but it is very satisfying. I want to help other women achieve the same or even more,” she concluded.
