"I try to treat my employees not as members of a company, but as those of a single family", says Margarita Amador, the owner of Amador Home Improvements.  Perhaps it is this attitude that has inspired the faith and confidence not only of her employees, but of her many clients in an economic downturn. 

A BUSINESS ON THE RISE

Around the time she was beginning her home improvement business, Margarita heard an announcement on the radio about ACCION USA's small business loans.  Two years later, Margarita had hired another employee and felt that it was her turn to apply. "I needed a loan to help me begin expanding my business... with it I bought inventory and hired new employees that are still with me today", says Margarita, whose business jumped from having three to eight full-time employees within that year. With the loan from ACCION USA, Amador Home Improvements continued to expand their clientele throughout parts of Greater Boston, providing services such as interior and exterior painting, masonry, house cleaning, carpentry and tiling.

ACCION USA - MORE THAN A LENDER

For Margarita, ACCIÓN USA served as more than just a lender; "ACCIÓN USA has helped me tremendously because I received a lot of advice not only on how to continue with my business, but on how to improve and manage my personal credit." 

When Margarita applied for her first loan, she took advantage of the opportunity to take part in ACCION USA's Your Money and You financial literacy program by meeting with a staff member for one-on-one credit counseling. The counseling she received proved very beneficial; "She [staff member] helped me to send dispute letters to the credit bureaus to correct errors.  Going through my report with her also helped me to realize which companies I needed to focus on paying first."

PUSHING FORWARD IN SLOW DOWN:

While 2008 brought with it a major slow-down in economic activity, Margarita has seen Amador Home Improvements flourish.  While managing eleven full-time employees, she seeks client satisfaction through the provision of quality services at a reasonable price. Still, Margarita faces a common challenge amongst many business owners; a burgeoning accounts receivable: "Today with the way the economy is, we are seeing more of a problem with late checks from clients...but I have built a relationship with my clients and the checks always arrive, eventually."  A second loan from ACCION USA in 2007 has helped her to maintain her cash-flow in the midst of late payments from clients. She was also able, with this loan, to purchase a van for her company.

IT'S NOT OVER YET

"My dream is to be able to provide for my children's education and to start another business of my own", states the resilient Margarita. She also foresees Amador Home Improvements as expanding to have 20 employees. She knows that there is a lot of work involved, but she also knows that ACCION USA is there to provide her with needed support for her business and personal credit, to help her along the path of realizing her ambitious dreams.