Ms. Bartlett is a forty four (44) year old micro entrepreneur who has been operating her business in the community of Rae Town for over eleven (11) years. She started out selling juices and snacks from a small wooden stall. Ms. Bartlett stated that prior to acquiring a loan from MEFL, she did not have sufficient funds to purchase items in bulk.

She heard about MEFL from members of her community and decided to apply for a loan. Ms. Bartlett was a part of the forth group formed at MEFL and received her first loan of six thousand dollars ($6,000.00) on January 7, 2003. Ms. Bartlett always had a desire to see her business grow and she subsequently obtained a second and third loan to purchase a deep freeze and a two (2) side deep fry to prepare chicken and fries. She explained that she now purchases her stock in bulk hence getting it at cheaper prices in order to maximize her profit.

With the assistance of subsequent loans from MEFL, Ms. Bartlett was able to significantly increase her stock level and used loan proceeds from MEFL and her profit from the business to build a grocery and cook-shop. In August 2007, her business was completely destroyed by the passage of Hurricane Dean. She stated that MEFL assisted her with a refinanced loan of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00) of which she used to reconstruct her business. She currently employs one person and supplies her goods and services to the Rae Town community. She is now in her fifteenth (15th) loan cycle servicing a loan of one hundred and twenty thousand dollars ($120,000.00) and amassing savings of over forty thousand dollars ($40,000.00).

Ms. Bartlett has displayed the qualities of a focused and dedicated entrepreneur. Her accomplishments she credits to her relationship with MEFL and good business practices. She stated that her success also comes from diversification of different business ventures. She takes great pride in the growth of her business and thanks MEFL for the business development training and principles she has learnt and applied.

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