With all the business success we hear about in microfinance, it can be easy to forget that people\u2019s\u00a0livelihoods and personal successes are ultimate goals of economic development. Ronnie\u2019s story reminds\u00a0us of this, as we can see how the Bayou Microfund helped bring his business\u2014and his dreams\u2014back to\u00a0life.<\/p>\n
Bayou Microfund founder Prasad Menon first met Ronnie in 2013 when, as an Uber driver, Ronnie\u00a0responded to Prasad\u2019s request for a ride. It just so happened that Ronnie was at a vulnerable point in\u00a0his career. He had just returned from Los Angeles where he explored professional acting and writing,\u00a0and, following a draining divorce, Ronnie was using Uber as a primary source of income. To make\u00a0matters worse, Ronnie\u2019s car was about to fall out of compliance with Uber\u2019s driver standards.<\/p>\n
After their first meeting, Prasad committed to helping Ronnie find his footing again and rekindle his\u00a0thespian aspirations. Ronnie remembers that as a driver, he\u2019d met many people who talked a big talk,\u00a0but rarely followed through. Prasad, however, followed up with Ronnie shortly thereafter and\u00a0encouraged him to seek auditions in local theaters. Meanwhile, the Bayou Microfund funded a business\u00a0loan to help Ronnie buy a new car and keep his income stream alive.<\/p>\n
Now, almost three years later, Ronnie has blazed a trail of success through the Houston acting and\u00a0writing community. He works as a teacher in the Houston ISD, as well as at area theater schools. He is\u00a0called on to write for major theater and community productions, and will see one of his pieces brought\u00a0to life next month on stage. We are overjoyed to see that our loan has allowed him the freedom to\u00a0pursue his passion, and look forward to helping others do the same.
\nIf you are interested in our mission\u2014as an entrepreneur, mentor, or a funding partner\u2014reach out to us at bm@bayoumicrofund.org<\/a> or call 832-680-0977, and together we can write the next success story.