Alberto Jaimes
Growing up in Columbia, Alberto Jaimes learned the trade of upholstery from his father. After immigrating to the United States and working in Florida, New York and then Oregon, Alberto always continued to practice upholstery. After twenty years of work and determination he was at last able to start an upholstery business of his own in southeast Portland. He maintains that with enough resolve, in the United States anyone can start up one’s own business.Alberto was referred to Mercy Corps Northwest’s Individual Development Account program by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Like so many others before him, he was both elated and incredulous after hearing about the matched saving program. Alberto enrolled in Mercy Corps Northwest’s Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) program in June 2005. After attending Mercy Corps Northwest’s comprehensive six-week business and financial education course, and receiving thoughtful one-on-one assistance from “Margarita” (Maggie Reilly) he carefully developed his business plan and cash flow projections. Alberto graduated from the IDA program in 2007. With the money saved from the program, he was able to purchase equipment to grow his custom upholstery business.
Since his graduation from the IDA program, Alberto has sought ways to give back to the community. He currently mentors two aspiring young Latino upholsterers on everything from the local Portland market to best practices in the trade. With encouragement from women in the community, Alberto offered a women’s upholstery workshop that he advertised at a local fabric store. The success of the workshop has motivated Alberto to offer more workshops in the future.Alberto has great ambition for his business and is striving to save for its future expansion. He still struggles at times with some aspects of his business, noting that in addition to being an expert in the upholstery trade, he must now also be an expert business manager. Since his graduation from the program, Mercy Corps Northwest has connected Alberto to a volunteer business owner who provides assistance with his bookkeeping. He remains passionate about his upholstery business and trade, and with the help of the Mercy Corps Northwest Individual Development Accounts, his business and his passion for upholstery both continue to thrive.
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