The entrepreneur pedler

Another in my series of translations of Dia a Dia’s People like me. The real stories of real micro entrepreneurs in Panama.

Buhonero emprendedor

Evidelia Velásquez | DIAaDIA

For the last six years he has been selling celular accessories and wallets, well anything that can earn him a profit to take home and feed his family. Ricardo Schuber says that when he lost the job he had he was already pretty old it was too late to find a new job. He wasn’t given any other option than finding a way of surviving.

Remember that in this business the earnings are small because the majority of sellers in the area sell the same.

Besides selling merchandise on the walking street, Ricardo also buys electronic equipment to resell as a way of improving his economy with some extra money.

The biggest worry for Ricardo at the moment is that the city hall wants to sell official stands for $8000 and he would have to pay $10 daily for this. He fears he wont appear on the list of official vendors and will be left with nothing. Ed. a typical example of how governments force people into the informal economy.

Ricardo is 50 years old and assures us that work is not a problem for him. He only wants the authorities to allow businessmen like him who pays his taxes to have an adequate space to run his business.

His family depends on this business and he states his investments of $20 to $25 leaves him with profits of some $10, which isn’t really sufficient, but does help cover his necessary expenses.

Earnings

Ricardo says that there are items which bring him in 50% profit. These help him buy more merchandise.