ERIC M.
I think it is a good chance to share the story about my first business.
I quit my university because of some reasons and I started to work. My first official job was a manager in a huge mobile store chain. It was the time when cell phones became very popular. This chain of stores had one journal every month with all new phones and their characteristics. It was really popular journal especially in my town. One day, I saw people sitting on the beaches and reading this journal. I asked them where did they find it and they told me there was one guy who gave it to them and he still had a lot of them. So chasing that guy I found a brand new story on this chain in my town. I asked them, “Do you need a manager?” and they told me they do. That is how I was employed.
I worked there for 3 years. Then I decided to quit. And because for that moment I knew a lot of this business and the prices I started to sell memory cards and USB flash drives. I was like this woman from the TV show.
I went through the city and going to offices, stores and asking people to buy one or a few. The prices were very good! So I had a good business for that moment. It was a little embarrassing I had no concurrents 😂
Once I came into the University and I went into one classroom where I saw a professor and I asked him, “Do you need a USB flashdrive?” He said “Yes!”
I gave him one and I was waiting for him to pay for it. He asked me to give him a Grade book 🤣 I told him, “No! No No! I’m not a student I am a seller.” And he told me, “Oh, I see. Then I do not need it. Please go away we have an exam right now.” 😂😂😂
It is funny, isn’t it? 🤣 . . . He thought I was a student and I wanted to buy grades for the exam 🤣
DMITRII
Have you ever had difficult conversations with your mother? OR have your children had difficult conversations with YOU? What were your differences about? How did you resolve them?
This is a topic for me! I’ve often said that I didn’t usually have an easy relationship with my mother. My dad treats me and my sisters much more easily, standard question – How are you? I say – ok, my father doesn’t have another question.
Conversation with my mother is always difficult…. I often feel like a criminal in front of the prosecutor. My mom always asks me and my sisters a lot of questions, and they are always uncomfortable questions. You can’t help but give an answer, because it will be a big problem.
There is no universal solution to problems such as parent-child relationships. I recommend – patience, respect, and time. We cannot change our family, we must respect the opinion of our family – always! My parents and yours, of course, sacrificed a lot so that we became people, we had an education, even now a complete family is already a gift!
Have you ever thought about owning your own business? What is it? How would you start the process? Would it be here, or in your native country? How hard do you think it would be at the beginning? How will you make it successful? And if you already own your own business, tell us how you got it started and how things are going now.
I always dreamed of opening a bakery. I don’t know – why. I love the smell and taste of fresh coffee and baked goods. There are so many bakeries and small coffee shops in Russia, and the food there is always delicious! I can go to any coffee shop in Moscow or St. Petersburg and enjoy baked goods and coffee. This is not an easy business, there is huge competition.
Maybe someday I’ll open my own coffee shop and invite all of ARNIC’s friends and students there.
MARCELA
Using this link: https://www.davehoekstra.com/2019/08/09/the-cookie-lady-of-louisville/ –
“The Cookie Lady of Louisville” by Dave Hoekstra tells the inspiring story about Elizabeth Kizito, who made a business based in chocolate cookies in Louisville, Kentucky. Known as “The Cookie Lady,” Elizabeth spent more than 20 years walking the aisles at Louisville Slugger Field, selling her homemade cookies from a basket on her head. Dressed in bright, colorful African fabrics and always smiling, she greets every fan personally, stopping for photos and conversations. Her charismatic personality and generosity have earned love from many people demonstrating how something as simple as a cookie can unite people and bring joy to a community. 
Elizabeth who born in Nansana, Uganda, is the oldest of 36 children from different mothers. Her father, Yesero Kizito, was a self-made businessman who built several successful businesses even though he didn’t have much schooling. He taught Elizabeth the value of hard work, independence, and entrepreneurship. At the age of 17, Elizabeth moved to the United States to pursue her education, she earned a degree in Environmental Health from Eastern New Mexico University. She never tasted a homemade cookie before arriving in the United States, but she takes all the opportunities the U.S can gave to her.
Elizabeth settled in Louisville, Kentucky, where she met her husband, Todd Bartlett, while waitressing at a restaurant. Todd was a cook, and together worked in the new start up Kizito Cookies in 1989. Over the years, the business grew from selling cookies from a basket and pushcart to a full bakery and gift shop on Bardstown Road, producing 14 flavors of cookies, muffins, and granola. Elizabeth’s signature cookies, such as “Lucky in Kentucky” (a mix of white and dark chocolate chips with pecans) have become local favorites, and she continues to sell cookies with care and personal attention, often remembering which flavors her customers prefer.
Elizabeth’s impact on the community was celebrated in 2019 during the Louisville Bats’ “Cookie Lady Bobblehead Night.” A lot of fans arrived hours before the 7 p.m. game, cheering as Elizabeth threw the first pitch and lining up for autographs. For the special event, she baked nearly 2,000 cookies, far exceeding her usual 450, to meet the excitement and demand.
Todd Bartlett, her husband, described her as a symbol of Louisville’s welcoming spirit, reflecting the city’s appreciation for immigrants and those who build a life in a new place.
Elizabeth’s story is not just about cookies; it is about perseverance, family, and community connection.
ELSAYED
Family Differences
I had some hard conversations with my mother before, especially when I decided to work in fashion. She wanted me to be an engineer and have a stable job, but I felt my heart was in design. For a long time, she didn’t understand my dream and said, “You should do something safe.” I told her fashion makes me happy and it’s who I am. After she saw my work and how serious I was, she started to be proud of me. Now she always asks me about my designs and supports me.
Obstacles facing Beatrice
Beatrice had many hard things in her life. She came to a new country, she was alone with her son, and she didn’t have much money. She also had to deal with her mother’s disappointment and work very hard to start her bakery, but she never gave up. She kept believing in herself and used her hands and heart to make a better life. I really respect her because she turned her pain into something sweet — just like her cookies.
Different Ending
If I could make a different ending, I would write that Beatrice opened a big bakery in New York. Her mother would come to visit her and help her bake, and her son would be working beside her. Maybe her husband would come back and see how strong and independent she became. They would all work together, happy and proud of what Beatrice built. I like stories that end with family together again.
Owning a Business
I already have my own fashion brand called Garabandia. I started it in Cairo because I wanted to show Egyptian culture in a new, modern way. At the beginning, it was hard — I worked alone, made designs, looked for materials, and talked to customers. But I never stopped. Later, I showed my collections in exhibitions like Bazaar Berlin. Now I’m looking to continue my work here in New York. I know it’s not easy to run your own business, but when you love what you do, it gives you power every day.
SIDI
Obstacles facing Beatrice
After moving to the United States, Beatrice had trouble balancing her job and taking care of her son after her divorce. She couldn’t manage her life easily and failed to meet her parents’ expectations. Another challenge was becoming successful as a baker. Many people doubted her, but she kept practicing every day and improving her skills with confidence. Thanks to her patience and hard work, she opened her own bakery and became a respected businesswoman in her community.
Owning a Business
Beatrice’s mother comes to Louisville and sees her daughter’s bakery full of happy customers. It is a moment of mixed feelings—she feels proud but also sad that Beatrice didn’t finish her studies. Later, she realizes that her daughter found another kind of success through her effort and passion.
In the end, the family celebrates together with friends and neighbors, and the bakery becomes a place full of joy and love.
WU XUE
Eyes to eyes
I think it’s really important to have eye-to-eye contact in a family relationship. Communication is always the most important key to maintaining a healthy relationship. If you want to do something, you need to talk and find common ground with your family so that they can better understand or support you. A family’s understanding and support are very important—they will be the key points that stand behind you and keep you going. I have never had communication problems with my mom. She always loves sharing everything with me, telling me or discussing things with me, or asking for my suggestions as a friend. She has always supported me, whatever I want to do or whoever I am. I have always gotten along with my mom. Sometimes, I thought I might have been a savior in my past life, so I am so lucky to have her as a mom.
Obstacles facing Beatrice
She needs to balance taking care of her kid and work, and she also needs more self-discipline. If she didn’t hang out with her friends and come home late at night, she wouldn’t lose her babysitter and wake up late. If she didn’t lose her babysitter, she wouldn’t have to take care of her son while she was working. Then she wouldn’t get fired because of her son’s naughtiness. But if she didn’t lose her job, she wouldn’t have started her homemade cookie business on the streets and finally have her own bakery store. Opportunities and risks always exist together. You lose some, and you gain some.
JUAN
Some of what I learned about Elizabeth Kizito in other resources
I can tell that her first venture was importing and selling Ugandan folk art, such as baskets and jewelry, sent by her family; she still offers all those in her shop. Aside from that, her business grew enough to have several locations in Louisville and some in other cities. She is very recognized among the people of Louisville, mainly thanks to the idea (that came from her husband) of selling her cookies on the street while she carried them in a basket over her head. I found this fact curious because in my country and even in my home city, I have seen this “way of selling” multiple times before and still now it is commonly used mainly by people with African roots. In this case, they are not selling just cookies. but any kind of products.
I think you may have seen some famous examples of this as one of the Colombian icons called “Palenqueras” (photo below), a group of women dressed beautifully with big and colorful dresses,. They are street sellers in Cartagena and near zones of the Atlantic coast of Colombia.
The idea of my own business
Not me, but my family has tried to participate in the business creation process, but unfortunately failed to do so. I can remember two examples of it – one was a shop where we sold stationery and similar articles. It was located in our own house so practically we sold the items through the window.
The other one was a shop where we sold decorations and decorative items for events like birthday parties, baptisms and similar. That one was located in a rented space, but I think that was the main cause of the short lifetime of the business, because the rent was not cheap.
ERICK C.
Obstacles facing Beatrice
In “The Baker,” Beatrice faces many challenges. First, she feels lonely and misses her home of African-Uganda origin. She works hard to make ends meet for her son. Then, she experiences financial difficulties and loses her job, so she starts baking cookies as a last resort to earn money on the streets. Some people don’t believe in her because she’s African, but she never gives up. Beatrice keeps positive, working hard and striving every day until she finally succeeds in her business.
Have you ever thought about owning your own business?
Yes, I have thought about having my own business. I would like to open a small gym because I like exercise and helping others improve their health. I would start by finding a place and promoting it on social media. It would be hard at first, but with effort and good customer service, I could make it successful.
ZHENG
Family differences
I once argued with my mom about my major. She wanted me to study economics, but I loved history. She said history couldn’t help me find a good job. I talked to her calmly, telling her that history could teach me about the past and help me think deeply. I also showed her some history books and told her about my plans. Finally, she agreed. Now, history helps me a lot in understanding the world and making decisions.
• Family Expectation Conflict
Beatrice’s father wanted her to get a good education instead of being a baker. Her mother disapproved of her selling cookies. She stuck to her dream and proved the value of being a baker with her success, eventually gaining her family’s understanding.
• Financial and Survival Pressure
After her divorce, Beatrice raised her son alone and lost her restaurant job. She sold homemade cookies on the street. At first, business was slow, but it gradually picked up.
• Social Rule Restriction
Beatrice was warned by the police for selling food on the street without a license. She used money from her family to get a license and rent a shop, running “Mukasa Cookies” legally.
• Career Start Obstacle
When Beatrice started selling cookies on the street, few people bought them. She attracted customers by balancing a basket on her head, a unique way that made her business better.
MAMADOU
On the day we watched the movie about Beatrice from Louisville together, one scene deeply touched me. When her mother accused her of having changed and no longer being the daughter she once knew, it immediately reminded me of an incident that happened between my older sister and me.
I would like to share a part of my life story with you.
I come from an African family (Guinean), where culture and tradition hold a very important place. My mother is a gentle woman, very understanding and always willing to talk. Even when we disagree, a simple conversation is enough to bring us back together.
But this story is mainly about my elder sister. In our culture, the oldest sister or brother carries a great responsibility: in the absence of the parents, they become the ones who make important decisions, who protect the family, and who ensure its unity.
When I got married, my sister was living in Dakar, Senegal, and I was living in Guinea. In 2021, my wife gave birth to a baby girl, and my sister believed we would name our daughter after her. When that wasn’t the case, she became angry with both my wife and me.
One day, she called me. The conversation started calmly, then she said: “Your wife does not respect me. She never calls me. She doesn’t love me, and she has no consideration for me.”
Almost every time we spoke, she repeated the same complaints: “Your wife is not sociable. She is going to turn you away from us. You should take a second wife.”
That day, the conversation escalated. She told me that I was no longer her brother. Hurt, I replied that I no longer considered her my sister. She shouted: “I hate you! I hate your wife, and I hate your daughter!”
She insulted me, and we hung up the phone.
Before it got to that point, I had calmly told her: “You are married, you have your own family. I have never told you how to live your married life. So let me live mine. My wife makes me happy. If you truly love me, be happy for my happiness. Neither Mom nor Dad criticizes my wife. Why do you want to act like my mother when you’re my sister?”
She answered: “I am like your mother! If she is not here, I will be the one handling everything in the family — ceremonies, baptisms, weddings, funerals… everything!”
And then I said something that hurt her deeply: “Take care of your own family and let mine live in peace.”
It was as if I had poured acid into her heart. She screamed, insulted me again… and then silence. More than three months without speaking to one another.
Eventually, my mother called me. She listened to everything and then told me: “If you want my blessing, call your sister and ask for her forgiveness. I have spoken to her — she will no longer interfere in your marriage.”
At first, I didn’t want to, but I had no choice: a mother’s word is sacred. So I called my sister. . . and I asked for forgiveness.
Today, alhamdulillah, our relationship has healed. We get along well, and she is even the one helping raise my daughter.
IURII
Obstacles facing Beatrice
Beatrice faced a bunch of troubles. She lost her son’s Nanny. Due to this she took her son with her to the restaurant where she worked. Her boss was unhappy due to Beatrice’s son occupying the table in the restaurant. They had the conflict for this reason and she was fired by her boss after she ignored his warnings.
She couldn’t pay her rent, and was trying to find a source of income as soon as possible. Beatrice tried to sell self-made cookies whenever it’s possible. It was successful; she found a good place, but police penalized her for the absence of vendor’s license and selling in the illegal place.
Running your own business
I had an experience with my own business in my country. My friend worked as an editor in an advertising division of a newspaper and he suggested to me to meet with the real estate sales person who comes to his office every week to add his advertisements, supposing I could start some kind of business relation with this person.
This gentleman was selling private houses, I started advertising his offers online and we were meeting with clients together.
Then I understood that it’s pretty good quickly growing business and decided to buy some land and build the house by myself. I knew the precise sizes and design of houses that clients prefer most of all.
I can recommend for people who are going to start their own business to work for someone first on the existing business to see how it works inside, learn the pros and cons of an industry and imagine how to do it better. If this experience motivates you and you see the gaps for opening your own business – you have a much stronger position to start with your labor experience in similar company.
You should have a passion to succeed. Just the desire to make money isn’t enough from my point of view.
And anyway you should have some expertise, because a competition is really strong nowdays. Existing businesses ruin or close branches. Usually, startups don’t have a second chance after they fail, and you have to be confident in your success.