By Carolina Quintero, SEEDS program Coordinator
During International Youth Day, we want to celebrate the 100+ students who have graduated from our SEEDS entrepreneurship program. Our students have created over 30 small businesses. One of our students in particular, Dara Ponce (12) from the school Santiago Iglesias Pantín in Guaynabo, PR has launched Recicla, Juega y Comparte and Herbs & Flowers.
Recicla, Juega y Comparte
Herbs and Flowers
"Recicla, Juega y Comparte" aims to use recyclable and sustainable materials such as paper, wood to build board games.
On the other hand, Herbs and Flowers uses aromatic herbs and essential oils to promote wellness as pillow mists and sops. Dara has the support of her mother, Pamela, who encourages Dara’s ideas and learns to create the products with her.
For Dara, entrepreneurship is fun.
She has the opportunity of creating and build her ideas and then show them to the public.
She has participated in several marketplaces in Aguadilla, Old San Juan, and the Tory Burch store at the Mall of San Juan, where she sold out all of her products.
Another one of our students, Mia Isabella Vargas (11), from the school S.U Pasto in Aibonito has also taken up the challenge of creating and managing two small businesses.
Toques de Amor by Mia Isabella
Mia currently has Pets and Love, a social impact business she shares with two students. The team sews bandanas for pets, and all profits are transferred to food and medicine for animal shelters and rescue groups in Puerto Rico.
Additionally, Mia is the sole creator and owner of Toques de Amor, a business where she creates personalized letters, bookmarks, and postcards. Mia’s idea came after she spent months without power after Hurricane Maria, and she used calligraphy and art as a form of entertainment with her mother.
Our goal with SEEDS is to empower the Puerto Rican youth to create economic opportunities for themselves and their families as well as providing the resources they need to turn their ideas into reality.
Through SEEDS, Dara was able to receive a $1,000 grant from “The Pollination Project” which in combination with the funds generated through our social impact coffee, Cafe Ama Love, helped her launch both of her business ventures. We are very proud of Dara and Mia who are becoming part of the new generation of entrepreneurs.
With your continued support, we can continue to empower the women and children of the island. If you want to contribute, please consider becoming a part of our Best Friend program or buying our social impact coffee Cafe Ama Love.
