By: Cristina Alvarado
The pandemic brought great obstacles for Peruvians and many of them saw a way out of the crisis in entrepreneurship. However, the stories of these two entrepreneurs that we present show us that achieving dreams can be a great engine to overcome challenges.
Online pastry
The pandemic had started in 2020 and Rosa Bernaola he wanted to cheer up his nieces who were very sad since they had lost their father. “I proposed to them to make cakes in fountains and we were very surprised because, as soon as we published the photos on social networks, everyone wanted them. The cakes flew, ”he says.
Rosa realized that people wanted to indulge themselves in the midst of the pandemic and that this love of baking desserts, which she had cultivated many years ago at school, could become her new way of life.
A day she sold up to 12 sources of cakes for S / 20 each and she distributed them herself on her bicycle. In this way, the virtual bakery Delicius Line was born, on Instagram, of which Rosa Bernaola is the owner.
“Before I worked in a seasonal travel agency, but when I saw the reach in the Facebook groups I realized that there was potential in the pastry shop,” he says.
The young entrepreneur delivered orders for chocolate cakes and three milk at home and to his delight, he always had new clients.
The cakes were a success and, after almost a year, her business has grown so much that she no longer distributes the orders herself on her bicycle, but instead through mobile applications. In addition, you can sell up to 20 themed cakes per month.
Although they are much more difficult to prepare, she prefers them because her creativity comes out. “I can combine models, colors, create designs and I love it,” she says with emotion.
The bake sale has become his only source of income. Most of his orders are to prepare chocolate cakes and his sales are 100% online.
Now, with hundreds of followers in their networks, Rosa Bernaola He does not stop dreaming and has proposed to open a pastry shop where people can ask, at the moment, the decoration of their preference.
“I would also like to hire someone to help me. Before, I didn’t do it out of fear of contagion. But now I think I can do it, ”he says.
It is worth mentioning that the pastry business has not had a good time. According to Aspan, in 2020 the pandemic led this sector to a 50% drop in sales.
A bookstore in pandemic
“People want to read. People do read, only there are more spaces to do so, such as libraries and bookstores, ”says Chrisel Arquíñigo, general manager of the Ciudad Librera bookstore.
Chrisel’s dream was to open a cultural space where people could find hundreds of books and practice art workshops. This is how Ciudad Librera was born: a bookstore that started in the middle of the pandemic and that since its opening a year ago has sold more than 5,000 texts.
“The best-selling books are children’s themes and the children of Magdalena already know that Ciudad Librera is a space where they can play and read,” he says.
Chrisel remembers that Magdalena was a district that had no bookstores and Ciudad Librera became the first. In addition, it has another headquarters in Pueblo Libre. Here you can find all kinds of readings: fiction, romance, mystery, etc. and has titles from S / 10 to S / 80.
What stands out the most about this venture is that it has a home loan service. “It is for those who do not have the possibility to buy a book,” he says.
Christmas and the beginning of the school season are the seasons with the highest sales. However, you can also attend the temporary book fairs that Ciudad Librera holds in different districts of Lima. To date, they have visited Rímac, Los Olivos, Surco, Pueblo Libre and, in the coming weeks, one will open in San Isidro.
In the midst of the digital age, Chrisel prides himself that 80% of sales are face-to-face. However, he is aware that he still has many challenges to overcome.
“In Peru there are few bookstores and during the pandemic readers prefer to save their money for basic needs such as food. However, there is a need to attend cultural activities, people are trying to get back to normal ”, he notes.
Another challenge that this bookstore faces is competing with the sale of pirated books. Chrisel indicates that if governments encouraged campaigns against piracy, bookstores could increase their sales.
Three keys to increase business sales
According to the Openpay company, The first thing to do is set objectives to know what goals will be achieved during the year. This can be done by developing a business plan to set strategies and meet objectives.
On the other hand, to increase productivity, it is important to establish priorities and identify the hours of greatest productivity.
Finally, formalizing the business is essential to operate without complications, so they recommend going to the closest Center for Best Citizen Services for Micro and Small Businesses (Macmype) where they offer business opening services.
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Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
