Berkley Center

Background:As part of the Education and Social Justice Project, undergraduate student Sarah Baran interviewed Marcela Rocca in June 2013. Rocca opened her own pet shop in Buenos Aires seven years ago and has expanded her business by obtaining a loan through Protagonizar, a microfinance lender founded by Jesuits in the lower-class community of San Miguel, Buenos Aires, Argentina. In this interview she discusses how she was impacted by Argentina's 2001 economic crisis, the manner in which Protagonizar has helped her shop grow, and her plans for the shop's future development.

Can you please share with me a little bit about your background: how long you have lived here, your family, etc.?

I have lived in Mítre since I got married, before which I lived in Muniz. My family includes my mother, sister, and her son, my nephew. I then also have my own family with my husband. We have two daughters. Those are all of my blood relatives, but then I have my three dogs, including a black one that always stays in the store with me. She’s older now, but I’ve had her since she was a puppy, and then there are two more dogs at home.

Can you please tell me about your business? When did you start it?

I opened this pet store seven years ago. It is my own store: I am the owner, and I am the only one who works here. My husband has his own thing on the side and sometimes helps out, but I tell him what to do. My mother owns the building, so we do not have to pay rent, which helps a lot.

What did you do before you had this pet show?

I worked in a finance company, which is funny because before I used to give the loans but am now the one borrowing. I worked there for ten years, but then my parents got sick. During this time, I was also caring for my daughter, and all of my income was going to cover these expenses. I couldn’t save anything. Since I was caring for my children and my parents, I was only working in the house with our daughters. Then, in 2001, the crisis hit and we lost everything, including the house because we could not pay the rent. For that year things were very difficult. It affected everyone, and people became desperate. As a result, it was harder to trust people. I separated myself from all of my contacts except for one honest friend. My husband sold clothes on the street in the neighborhood for two years, and we scrapped by on that.

How did you start this shop and why are you dedicated to this type of business?

Well, after all that happened during the crisis, I wanted to try to sell something commercially. I thought, this is a neighborhood of animals—there are chickens, pigs, horses, dogs—and all these animals need food and care. I saw the need and thought this would be a good market. I first discussed it with my mother, who, with some of our neighbors, is in another solidarity group with Protagonizar. At the time, my mother had a little business of her own selling cleaning supplies, so I borrowed from her the money I needed and began. I started this pet shop because it was a local opportunity.

How has Protagonizar helped you?

I have been with Protagonizar for three years now, and it has really helped me to expand. Before it was not a proper store; I was just selling little things. Honestly, before I started I did not know anything about business or selling, but my mom helped me and I started the business anyways. It has grown over the years, and now I know more about where to buy the food from, what the deals are, what will and will not sell, my costs, how I can re-invest, how to grow. I learned from Protagonizar how to produce things, keep control of my money, and be more clean and organized in running my store.

Protagonizar is different from other places where you could go to get a loan. For example, the interest of the pagos diarios is inaccessible. Protagonizar, however, presents everything up front, and the guarantee is good. They are honest. To me, at least, it helps, especially during December. The time around Christmas, when everyone starts spending more, is when they are the most helpful.

How many credits do you have with Protagonizar and of what type?

I have one credit of 350 pesos, and I have used it to buy those new collars over there and these different types of dog food. It has allowed me to expand and buy more things in general. The loans also give me some more flexibility to try new products, new things. I am also in a solidarity group with four other people. I am the youngest of the group; two have been with Protagonizar for a while, and the other I know through the neighborhood.

What are your plans for development in the business?

I am not looking to purchase more things right now. I am happy with the size of the business as it is, but I am looking for better and cheaper brands of dog food. Also, I want to look for little things that could be gifts for birthdays. I have plans to paint the walls in the winter and am hoping to make some signs or posters as advertisement to draw in more customers.

What do you do with your earnings?

I invest almost all of it—outside of the basic needs of food, or small things we need around the house—for school for my daughters, or once in a while, if they point out something they like, I will buy it for them. All of the bills of the house and repairs are covered by the salary of my husband.

What are the obstacles you face in your business?

Outside of the robberies? I was robbed twice. They did not take merchandise, only what I had in the cash register. The area is not safe, and so a lot of people are looking to move away. This also hurts business.

Another difficulty is learning what will sell. I am always looking at what I can add. I bought leashes and then the dog beds after that. These types of purchases are more of a one-time buy until they all sell, or I renew the item once every six months. However, each of these purchases is a risk because it is cheaper to buy them in a large stock. Since it is difficult to buy each one separately, it makes sense to buy them in bulk. Sometimes you lose if no one wants the product. These purchases are very different from food. The demand for that will be around as long as the animals are, so I need to renew that every month.

What is your favorite part of your work?

All of it. It is all very familiar and comfortable. It is nice to be with the people. I know all of my customers; and some of my clients are friendly and enjoyable to talk with—others no. They just come in and buy what they need and then leave. They do not say much. Yet, others stay a while, and we drink mate. It is also nice to be your own boss. I know, in comparison, that I would not like working with a computer all day. I could not do that.