From Artist to Small Business Owner

Sandra Giraldo has been drawing ever since she was a young girl. After attending a local art college where she expanded her artistic abilities, she has worked in several cartoon studios and commercials. As an artist, she wanted something that allowed her to be able to have freedom to explore her creative life. Having experience as an esthetician in her native country of Colombia, she was able to join her husband, a massage therapist, to open up the Innisfree Body Works Spa.

However, Sandra's background mix in holistic therapies, beauty, and art prompted her to aspire to a new dream. Sandra started her own line of beauty products called Kanti's Organics. Although she was ready with the artwork, Sandra needed the capital to brand her products with better packaging. With a $6,000 microloan from ACCION USA, Sandra was able to diversify her business. Sandra is now selling Kanti's Organics to other beauty stores in Rhode Island, in addition to offering them for sale at the Innisfree Body Works Spa. Sandra explains, "I never imagined that my love will eventually become my profession, and I am so grateful that it happened that way."

Visit Sandra's website here!

Location / Ubicación: Rhode Island
Language / Idioma: Spanish
Type of Business/Tipo de Negocio: Beauty supply