Meet GES Delegate: Diana Figueroa

Name: Diana Figueroa
Twitter: Diana Figueroa
Country of origin: El Salvador
Organization Name: PELUDOS
Organization website: www.veterinariapeludos.com

PELUDOS (spanish word that means furry) is a Pet healthcare center where we provide veterinary services, pet grooming and a pet shop with a variety of pet accesories, pet food and pharmacy. It was founded by my sister almost 9 years ago with only one employee, now we have grown to a team of 12. We believe pets are not pets anymore, pets are a very important member of the families so they have special needs and special cares that we are pleased to be those who take care of them. After a couple of years we created 2 new line of business: 1) import and distribution of pet accesories to all the vets and pet shops in El Salvador and 2) “Woofkies” a Gourmet Pet Bakery, with a variety of gluten-free, preservative free, allergy friendly and vet approved cookies, cupcakes and cakes.

What inspired you to start this organization?
Peludos was founded by my sister Karla Figueroa, she is a veterinarian and after 8 years working in two of the best veterinarians in our country she was offered to get a new job position in one of them as the General Manager, so that big trust from someone else made her think that she could be the General Manager of her own business, so she declined that job and started looking places and I joined to this project with my expertise in marketing and communication. We both have different passions that together create the essence of Peludos, a place where we are passionated about pets but also for creating special moments to people (customers and employees).

What is the next big step you hope to help your organization reach?
I hope I can help Peludos grow and settle in a level that it can keep growing and innovating by itself with new branches and new technology. Create jobs that make positive impact to our community.

What has been your biggest obstacle as an entrepreneur?
Our biggest obstacle as an entrepreneur in our country is the violence, we have faced many different events such as extortions and that for an entrepreneur makes it tough because we want to keep growing but at the same time we don´t because we will be seen by the eyes of the gang members.

What advice would you give other emerging entrepreneurs?
Be yourself, be authentic, be unique!