Arlety L. Mirones

A-Risha General Merchandise Owner

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Arlety L. Mirones, 46, A-Risha General Merchandise appliances center, established in 1999 and now in four locations, employs 22 people, undisclosed earnings. Joined CARD Bank in 1994, has taken out nine loans since 2004. Arlety Mirones knows what it means to struggle.

“We used to be poor with no permanent work,” she said. “We had a very difficult life.”

Determined to try to improve life for her three children, she joined CARD Bank in 1994 and used it to take out a small 1,000 peso loan to buy cosmetics, which she and her husband sold door-to-door. She paid off the loan with the profits she made and took out a bigger loan to buy more products. Eventually, she became the region’s top cosmetics seller and her husband became Assistant Branch Manager. The jobs eventually ended due to external market factors, but having had a taste of success, they continued to persevere. They began buying televisions and home appliances, selling to the customer base they had established.

“As time went by, we got more customers and we continued to take out loans from CARD Bank for added capital,” Mirones said.

A large loan helped them open their A-Risha General Merchandise store in 2000. Within five years, the opened three more stores and an ice cream business that also employed other family members.

“Our three children had different specific roles in the business, and we taught their children to handle the business at an early age,” she said.

A-Risha General Merchandise now has dedicated suppliers, selling to customers out of the stores or door-to-door. After having a fire badly damaged one of their sites last year, they also learned the importance of insuring their products as well as their buildings.

“This kind of business is not easy,” Mirones said. “It is an honor to be trusted by people.”

As her current loan is paid off, Mirones hopes to expand the business to more regions and import a wider range of products. Along the way, she will continue to practice what she considers to be the reason for her success: self-discipline. As their loans have gotten larger and larger, she and her husband have remained meticulous about budgeting for their planned expenses.

“You receive money, and could have a tendency is to spend it unwisely,” she said. “Always remember to invest in your business. “

~ Arlety L. Mirones