A talented entrepreneur

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

Taltentoso emprendedor

Denise Lara | DIAaDIA

A bet and gains turned an inexperienced Panamanian into a prosperous business man. 34 year old Ismael Gálvez discovered his true vocation late in life, but after many sacrifices his hopes have been worth while.

8 years ago when cellulars were a myth for the majority of Panamanians, Ismael made his first steps in the world of technology. Without known hardly anything about how phones worked he one day opened one while playing with a hair pin. Seeing everything within left him ecstatic and he told himself “This is for me”. From hereon and forward his thirst for learning made him invest the little money he had in technical courses about cellular phones. Bit by bit he became an expert in the field until the point where he felt confident that he was able to start a business.

A small table located next to a dumpster in a filthy alley was the first place of business for Ismael, who was helped by his wife. This even when she was pregnant with their first child. His charisma and technical skills helped to increase his reputation amongst telephone repairmen. With this his clientele grew bit by bit. With time his location and his offices have improved. He know is located on the corner of the walking street with a nice little shop. A house, a car and a good bank account are real proof of everything that Ismael has accomplished. “I have no complaints with this business, because we have known what to do. The first time I opened a phone was with a hair pin. When I saw what was inside I loved it and I told myself this was for me. And now from that when you want to do something professional you get your self your papers, study, take your courses do everything professional” Ismael assures us.

His work is so good that various investors have proposed “juicy” loans at him to develop his business. While he has plans to open another shop, Ismael promises that he wont leave the “street business” as he calls it, after all as a businessman he has discovered that it is a gold mine.

Variety

Besides good prices at Ismael you can find spare parts for cellulars as well as advice in the use and choice of equipment.