Immigrant Goes From Jewerly to Business Owner
Silvia Terrazas came to Las Cruces in 1995 with some jewelry but no command of the English language.
Terrazas, a native of Casas Grandes in Chihuahua, Mexico, had owned a business in her hometown, but when she moved to the United States to follow her husband, Javier, who traveled to Las Cruces to work, she knew she would have to find a source of income. “My brother had a jewelry store in Mexico (and) he gave me jewelry to sell here,” she said. So Terrazas went door to door to peddle the jewelry her brother gave her.
More than a decade later, Terrazas no longer sells jewelry door to door, but she does run three locations that rent videos, sell merchandise and ice cream and offer services like money transfers and Internet access.
Terrazas, 39, said the language barrier was a hurdle, but she has learned enough English to hold some conversation and said she continues to learn.
Image via bluewaterfinancialpartners
cassy on July 20th, 2008 4:54 am
Great woman! I was thinking how was she sales the jewelries when she doesn’t know how to speak english. Anyway, a person can fulfill her \his dreams if she\he is trying hard to learn, have determination and believe her\his self.
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