Teresa's Story

Teresa is from Michoacán, Mexico. This is her second year with Micro Mercantes—Hacienda’s micro-enterprise program that trains low-income Latinas to sell homemade tamales at area farmers’ markets. Before Micro Mercantes Teresa did not have a source of income. She relied on her daughter, Rosa, for support. Now Teresa and Rosa are a mother-daughter team working together to make and sell tamales at ten Portland-area farmers’ markets. “I am proud to have my daughter as my business partner. I can pass the tamale recipe to Rosa and then to future generations,” said Teresa. Teresa enjoys her time with Rosa in the kitchen while they cook and prepare for their weekly sales. With the income they generate from Micro Mercantes they are able to have some savings in case of an emergency. This makes both of them feel more secure about their family’s future.