“I met Doris while participating in a national fair, where I had a booth promoting and selling our artisanal products. That day, Doris came by offering handmade woven bracelets. She was accompanied by her daughter Jennifer, who was only eight years old at the time. As I was attending to customers, I asked her to wait a few minutes, and she patiently did,” recalls Marisol Monge, founder of Mayan Gifts.
That brief interaction turned into a partnership that would change Doris’s life forever.
Days later, Doris confided in Marisol that she was battling a severe illness, traveling from a rural area to the capital to access the hospital. On each trip, she tried to sell her bracelets to make ends meet. Moved by Doris’s resilience, Marisol saw an opportunity to help. She introduced Doris’s bracelets to international buyers through Mayan Gifts, shifting her small-scale craft into a steady and reliable business. Instead of struggling to sell a handful of bracelets, Doris began receiving wholesale orders in the thousands. Her workshop, once limited to her and her husband, grew into a family operation producing bracelets full-time. Doris no longer had to worry about selling piece by piece; she could focus on creating, knowing her work had a market.
For ten years, Doris was able to support her family. Though she has since passed away, her legacy endures—her daughter, Jennifer, continues crafting the same beautiful bracelets her mother once made, ensuring that Doris’s artistry and resilience live on.
Building a Platform for Salvadoran Artisans
Marisol’s encounter with Doris exemplifies her mission: empowering Salvadoran artisans through sustainable business opportunities. As the founder of Mayan Gifts, Marisol has dedicated herself to supporting over 150 small Salvadoran artisans and producers—each of them with their own story—generating more than 450 indirect jobs. Her business serves as a platform for designers, entrepreneurs, and artisans by providing retail space in nine locations, including tourist hubs and city stores. With a diverse product range that includes handmade crafts, nostalgic foods, coffee, jewelry, textiles, and promotional items for institutions, Mayan Gifts has become a key player in the local artisanal industry. Recently, the business celebrated the opening of its 10th store and is planning to expand further with two more locations.
Overcoming Challenges to Build a Thriving Business
Starting a business was not easy for Marisol. In the early days, she faced numerous limitations, adversities, and obstacles. However, her perseverance and determination helped her push through.
Her motivation came from both personal and professional experiences. She saw firsthand how hard it was for small artisans to gain visibility and market access. Determined to create an opportunity for them, she built Mayan Gifts as a bridge between talented artisans and the broader retail market.
A Business Rooted in Social Impact
Beyond commerce, Mayan Gifts operates with a strong commitment to social, environmental, and economic impact. The business incorporates biodegradable packaging and fosters a robust artisan ecosystem, ensuring that sustainability is at the core of its operations. By working closely with artisans, Marisol helps them develop new products, secure fair compensation, and gain access to wider markets.
“Working with the female artisan sector in my country is more than a privilege—it is a responsibility. Exchanging ideas, helping with product development, supporting workshops in their growth, and, most importantly, empowering women entrepreneurs are at the heart of what I do,” she explains.
The Transformative Impact of Bpeace
Mayan Gifts joined Bpeace programs to:
- Identify and enter new markets while increasing brand awareness through targeted marketing and strategic partnerships.
- Optimize internal processes to enhance operational efficiency and overall business improvement.
- Implement advanced inventory management tools and digital solutions to optimize operations and minimize waste.
- Strengthen financial planning with clear budgeting, cost control measures, and revenue growth strategies to ensure long-term profitability and sustainability.
Since joining Bpeace’s Women Forward program, Marisol’s business has flourished. Revenue has grown by four times, and 29 Salvadorans got hired, making a tangible difference in the lives of artisans and their families.
Looking to the Future
Despite the many challenges women entrepreneurs face in El Salvador—such as limited access to capital, balancing business with family responsibilities, and sourcing quality materials—Marisol remains optimistic. She believes that through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and strategic planning, these challenges can be overcome.
“Women in El Salvador are talented, organized, hardworking, and determined. Our contributions to the economy will continue to grow, but we must support and empower one another. Instead of seeing each other as competitors, we should see each other as allies and partners,” she says.
As Mayan Gifts continues to expand, its impact grows with it. By providing artisans with sustainable income opportunities, fostering innovation in the local craft industry, and demonstrating the power of perseverance, Marisol is shaping a brighter future for Salvadoran artisans and entrepreneurs alike.
