Marina Del Carmen Diaz Cruz
Marina works in the artisan products sector as the Life Improvement Promoter of Handmade with Love. For families living in rural communities in socially vulnerable conditions, Handmade with Love is a craft, natural cosmetics, and craft wine retailer—currently present in six rural communities—that promotes economic self-management via entrepreneurship through clients creating artisan products using resources readily available to them, meaning its clients do not need to invest much money to start their enterprises. Marina’s short-term goal is to improve the commercial image of the company’s products and identify new sales opportunities. Moreover, their long-term goal is to expand to two more communities and distribute products to craft shops. Coming into the YLAI Fellowship, Marina’s business challenge is Marketing & Sales. More specifically, they want to improve their ability to sell the business idea by convincing people that starting a business and receiving training are worthwhile endeavors. During the Fellowship Placement, Marina hopes to gain knowledge to increase their skills in promoting economic self-management to families, create a strategic alliance, and open a communication channel to expand and share knowledge.