Berkley Center

Marcela Rocca owns a pet store in Buenos Aires' Mitre neighborhood, which she opened seven years ago. She previously worked in finance. Still recovering from the impacts of Argentina's 2001 economic crisis, Rocca decided to open her business after noticing the abundance of pets in her neighborhood requiring care. She first obtained a loan from Protagonizar, a Buenos Aires microfinance lender founded by Jesuits, in 2010. Rocca says that working with Protagonizar has not only allowed her to expand her shop but also taught her necessary business skills. Despite having suffered several robberies, Rocca enjoys managing the pet shop, particularly her interactions with customers.