This Florist is Growing Her Business and Her Impact
Meet Raquel, a young woman from El Salvador. As a single mother of two kids, Raquel was ostracized by her community. She felt abandoned. Discarded. Her self-worth couldn’t have been lower.
Fortunately, Raquel’s church saw her differently: as a person with God-given potential. They connected Raquel with Convoy of Hope, our local training partner who helped her to see that she was loved by God and that she had value.
Encouraged by their coaching, Raquel entered the Partners Worldwide business training offered by her church, where she learned about financial literacy, how to develop a business plan, and more. As part of an exercise, Raquel planted a tomato seed. How she tended to her plant reflected how she was to tend to her business. Only with the proper care and focus would the plant—and her business—grow.
From Seed to Flower
After completing the training, Raquel drew inspiration from the tomato exercise to start her own floral business, creating beautiful arrangements for funerals, celebrations, and other special occasions. And once her entrepreneurial spirit had taken root, there was no stopping it. Raquel has since taken on three additional entrepreneurial endeavors, including a print shop and poultry farming.
With her income, Raquel is excited to make improvements to her family home, where she lives with her children, parents, and sister.
“My kids are the fuel for why I do what I do."
Paying it Forward
When PW staff visited Raquel’s home, she showcased her workspace, store, and the bustling poultry range she had built. She also proudly displayed a massive tomato plant—the same one from her exercise with Convoy of Hope. It had multiplied into many other plants, just as Raquel is multiplying her impact, too!
Inspired to pay it forward, Raquel shares her joy, confidence, and expertise by mentoring 25 women who are taking the same program. Her empathy for their circumstances is what makes her a great role model and advisor. She knows the odds are not in their favor, but with God, they can and will flourish.
This is the power of multiplication. Through partnership, we can equip redemptive business owners like Raquel with everything and everyone they need to provide for their families, impact their communities, and manifest God’s kingdom in a world deeply in need.
January 8, 2025