Name of Business: Monserrate Products SAS
Business Type: Bakery
Location: Colombia
Any time I hear someone mention the Academy, I am filled with gratitude. It arrived at a crucial moment in our lives. My wife and three children are the driving force of my life; the restored gospel complements it, but the Academy, for us as a family, was the impulse that arrived at a very difficult stage of our lives. That is why my feelings are and will be of gratitude. Thanks to the Academy, today, I feel proud of who I am. The Academy’s contributions of knowledge of the business world are my greatest asset, and it has been a strategic partner for growth!
In 2019, we attended an event called Start Up Now!, where we received valuable information on how to start a business. However, at the time, we didn’t give it the importance it deserved and shelved the knowledge we had acquired. Shortly after, we faced the most difficult moment of our lives as a family: the complete loss of everything we owned. We found ourselves in a critical financial situation, without resources or stability.
In that time of adversity, we realized that the only asset we had was the knowledge we had acquired through the START NOW! initiative. That’s how the idea for Productos Monserrate SAS was born, beginning with the production of Argentine alfajores (a South American sandwich cookie). We applied the “paperclip exercise,” starting with minimal resources and progressively increasing them. Each small step allowed us to generate capital, acquire raw materials, and access machinery.
Our path was strengthened by taking the Church’s “How to Start and Grow My Business” course, which provided us with key tools to guide our business. Following these tips, we decided to formalize and legalize our venture. Together with my wife as a founding partner, we implemented daily records, differentiated personal and business finances, and applied the Kaizen method for continuous improvement. This allowed us to optimize resources, control inventories, and grow in an organized and sustainable manner.
One of the most important milestones for Productos Monserrate SAS was our participation in the Academy Awards. We faced a major financial obstacle: the inability to afford the health permits required in Colombia. As a finalist, we received a financial incentive that allowed us to finance our health registration, opening up new market opportunities. This not only allowed us to expand our customer base but also strengthened our business and helped us achieve 1,000 percent growth.
We continue to learn constantly through monthly business coaching workshops. Each piece of advice and Rule of Thumb we apply helps us nurture and strengthen our company, ensuring solid growth. The key to our success has been the rules “ Value Your Customers” and “Be Kind Later,” principles that have made the difference and allowed us to build a unique business reputation.
We are currently in a growth phase, exploring opportunities with investors. We always emphasize that our company has academic support and strategic business advice, which gives us security and confidence. In the future, we seek to expand our local market, diversify products, and establish commercial alliances to cover the national territory and even venture into exports.
Meeting with more chapter members and getting to know each other has also allowed us to conduct business deals and establish partnerships. Together with Gustavo Aranguren, who participates in the same chapter, we founded QUAU MOVIL, an Uber-like mobility app that will soon launch in Bogotá. I want to emphasize that this project was born thanks to the Academy. Being consistent and disciplined allows us to change our perspective and see the business world from a much clearer perspective.
We want to experience this process hand in hand with the Academy, as a strategic partner. That’s why we always say with gratitude, “Thank you to the Academy!”
