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Montenegrin Families Thrive on Small Business Opportunities
After losing their jobs at a state-owned company in the Montenegrin coastal city of Bar, Julija Skretovic, her husband, Halil, and their 19-year-old unemployed son, faced serious economic hardship. Halil's small farm produce and Julija's sewing skills became the family's sole sources of income. However, Julija's very old sewing machine frequently broke down, requiring costly repairs that swallowed a large portion of the family's income.
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| USAID's entrepreneurial development assistance helps people like Julija
Stretovic provide for their families, raise their standard of living, and
contribute to local economic growth |
A natural-born entrepreneur, Julija saw an excellent business opportunity in the production of bridal dowry products. These products, always in high demand, included tablecloths, bed-sheets, curtains, and other linens. Julija felt that with good equipment, she could earn a decent living for her family. She attempted to secure a commercial loan but her application was rejected
because she was not able to meet the bank's collateral requirements.
Frustrated by her lack of prospects, Julija was on the verge of leaving the country to seek employment abroad when she learned about micro-grant support provided by USAID partner International Relief and Development (IRD) in southern Montenegro. With the support of her local Community Action Committee, Julija prepared a business plan and applied for assistance. IRD approved the request and provided her with two brand-new sewing machines and a steam iron worth nearly $3,000.
The Skretovics no longer think about going abroad. Julija's business is so successful that she recently hired Fatima Pecurica, another economically vulnerable woman from a family of five, as her full-time employee. Together the women earn an average monthly profit of $500, providing their families with economic security they never thought they would find. "Just a few months ago we could only dream about earning so much money," said Pecurica.
Julija has returned some of that money to her community in thanks for its support. She used her skills and new equipment to make 85 uniforms for a local elementary school, a contribution valued at more than $1,000.
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