From the trunk of a car to a large facility – this is how a dream becomes reality. With an initial investment of only $300, Nómadas Boutique, the well-known formal dress shop in Aguada, began to grow.

Initially, Grisel “Grace” Méndez started out selling ethnic-style clothing imported from Peru, visiting her customers at their homes or place of work. As a result, her business model eventually became the company’s name.

Little by little, she acquired more customers through referrals, with more products in demand. In turn, this prompted her to transition from a mobile merchant and take her first steps to establishing her own location.

Her sister, who ran a children’s clothing store, offered Méndez space to sell her merchandise. However, when that business closed, she was forced to find her own premises. In 2013, two years after working from her vehicle, she established her first physical location.

Soon, that facility became too small, and nine months later she moved to a larger space on the same street. Now, in addition to regular casual styles, she began to include semi-formal pieces, with Nómadas Boutique eventually becoming known as the place to go for formal attire.

Today, most of her customers include quinceañeras, brides, and graduates looking for a formal gown for Prom Night. “I’m not one of those who carries a dress in just one size. I’ll have a style in several colors and all sizes. I also have them available in the store so people can try them on and wear them right way,” said Méndez, who founded Nómadas Boutique in 2011.

The growth of her business has involved thousands of dollars of investments in merchandise, as well as large sales, and the creation of close to a dozen jobs. In addition, she has also taken her brand to a level that has earned her the prestige of being the second authorized salesperson in Puerto Rico for the exclusive haute couture Jovani line.

As a result, she also sees herself owning another similar business, but not quite the same. Given that she was a fashion design student at Universidad Pontificia Católica de Puerto Rico in Ponce, and created a model of a bridal house for one of her courses, she dreams of making it a reality. “Everything will be in God’s timing,” she said.

And while her success is the result of taking risks, FirstBank has been by her side. “Ever since I opened my business, I’ve been with FirstBank, and that hasn’t changed. We have a great relationship, and the employees at the Aguada branch always take good care of me,” she said. “The reality is that I’m very happy with FirstBank, and they’ll provide the tools to make your business grow,” she added.

Learn about FirstBank for Business's solutions for the easy management of your business's finances at FirstBank for Business

This content was written by journalist Enid Salgado Mercado and published in El Nuevo Día.

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