During the COVID-19 pandemic, Deborah Linares (@debby_linares) and her husband, a Cuban couple residing in the United States, found an opportunity to reinvent themselves amidst adversity.
When he lost his job and no one wanted to hire him because he was a 70-year-old man, Deborah, who worked as an aesthetician and cleaned houses to support the family, decided to try her luck making handcrafted candles from home.
What began as a small initiative to cope with difficult times eventually turned into a discreet yet thriving business. The candle workshop operates out of their own home, where these Cubans work together.
"We decided to share our story so that people our age feel inspired," explained Deborah, proud of having turned creativity into a livelihood.
The entrepreneur's posts on social media are filled with supportive messages. "Thank you for your motivation, I would also like to start, I am retired and frustrated," commented a follower. To which Debbie responded: "Making candles is a very good option; it's a way to monetize and also to stay active."
The story of Deborah and her husband is not about encouraging all retirees to make candles, but rather to remind us that each person can discover what they are good at and turn it into an opportunity.
Entrepreneurship doesn't always mean copying an idea; it means recognizing your own talent and daring to shape it, even in the toughest moments.
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