Priscila has always been adamant she wouldn’t let her family go through the same hardship she did as a child. That’s why she started up her business, Mais Bella.

Thirty-year-old mother-of-two Priscila is a microentrepreneur in the Araticum district of Ubajara, Ceará (Brazil). When she was five, her parents’ separation turned her life upside down. Like many single mothers, hers had to work long hours to keep their heads above water. Priscila had a tough upbringing that led to her living with her grandma at the age of 12.

Forced to grow up quickly, she sought to overcome adversity with a fighting spirit and perseverance. This undoubtedly had a hand in her becoming the small, local business owner she is today.

She runs her shop, Mais Bella, with one employee, selling cosmetics, care products and gifts. As she explains, the pandemic hit sales hard in 2020: “I managed to get a small loan that helped keep my business afloat and stock new products. Lucas, from the Prospera micro finance programme, was a great help. He took the time to understand what I was going through and explained the options”.

Having inherited her grandmother’s tenacity, Priscila has begun 2021 with exciting plans to expand her business and continue to provide a brighter future for her family.

Santander Brasil has granted over 1.4 billion euros (9 billion reals) in micro loans in 1,500 towns over the last 17 years. Under its Prospera Microfinanças initiative, it has helped boost the business of more than one million entrepreneurs, small businesses and communities.