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Oscar and Aida Garcia
“Agora helped us develop, especially our financial systems. Before, we began working with them we didn’t even have a formal accounting process. They have helped us organize our business.”
- Oscar García
When Oscar García's and his wife, Aida's, first business – a small restaurant in Masaya – began to fail they realized they needed another source of income very quickly. Starting with a sewing machine borrowed from her mother, Aida began to make baby clothes to support the young family. To their surprise what began as a side business in their house soon became a large children’s clothing manufacturer and embroidering company that sold more than US$100,000 yearly in exports.
Today, Oscarito's produces some of the best children's clothing in Nicaragua . The company operates out of a modern factory with state-of-the-art machinery and employing over 20 full time workers that receive competitive wages and insurance benefits.
Producing quality clothes is not all that distinguishes Oscarito's. Oscar and Aida are determined to minimize the waste created during production. Oscarito’s turns excess cloth into bath sponges and stuffing for mattresses, which are sold to local retailers and producers. It is a win-win strategy: not only have they received national recognition and decreased their waste “footprint,” they also benefit from the additional source of income.
Consulting Focus:
Oscar and Aida began attending Agora-run seminars in 2004, and Agora has worked with Oscar to develop a formal accounting system and improve general business administration of Oscarito’s. Agora’s entrepreneur network has also helped them to connect with potential clients. With the help of Duke University, Oscar and Aida are exploring possibilities for expanding their export reach as well as pursuing potential opportunities in local markets. Oscar regularly attends Agora functions in Managua. Having built their company on a solid foundation, Oscar and Aida are well equipped to pursue their dreams for Oscarito’s.