Until recently, Bro. Rosario from the north western part of the
Dominican Republic, has had to work several jobs to pay for the necessities of
life for himself and his wife and two darling daughters. Six months ago, he
completed the Starting and Growing My Business course in the Puerto
Plata Stake after an invitation from the Stake Self-Reliance Specialist.
Participating in the course inspired him to start a his own pastry business out
of his small home. The Self-Reliance course learned how to apply practical
skills, such as budgeting and record-keeping, combined with spiritual skills
such as exercising faith and obeying God’s commandments, to transform his
passion for baking into much-needed income.
To get to Bro. Rosario’s donut kitchen, we ventured with a pair of
senior missionaries through the jungly terrain down windy dirt roads in a
village dotted with small, brightly colored, cement homes. After several
attempts to get our car up an incredibly steep hill, Bro. Rosario greeted us
cheerfully in his flour-spotted apron, his darling 6-year-old daughter peeping
out from behind in her bouncy black braids.
Bro. Rosario was excited to show us the donut-creating process he
has been refining for the past months, from start to finish. I admired the long
table he made himself from cinder blocks and a slab of smooth cement. It was
evident that Bro. Rosario is passionate about his work. We watched with
fascination and mouths watering as he purposefully measured out flour, yeast,
sugar, and eggs. He is careful with the ingredients he chooses and the way each
step of the baking process is done. “I compared the different brands of flour
to get the best quality, and then found the store that offered the best brand
at the best price.”
He then meticulously molded the dough to perfection and carefully
cuts out each precious ring in an expert way. He has recently invested in a
machine that helps him roll out the dough so it is smooth and dense, and goes a
long way. It has helped him speed up the baking process and allows him to keep
from wasting even the smallest pinch of dough. “If it goes to waste, I lose
out!” he says. His wife helps with frying in the kitchen, and sends them back
over to be daintily with shimmery chocolate or vanilla glaze and creatively
decorated. His young daughters sometimes help with counting the “inventory.”
The samples were impressively tasty even before he added the glaze. (But who
doesn’t like a little extra chocolate?)
The donut batch we observed him make was ordered by a Primary
president who plans to reward her Primary children who completed goals to
memorize Articles of Faith and read a certain amount of the Book of Mormon.
Bro. Rosario decorated each donut with colorful sprinkles because he knows
that’s what the kids enjoy and packaged them in small cases he’d bought,
complete with a sticker reading, “Thank you for your work!’ and “I know
that my Savior lives.” His donuts are better tasting and more affordable than
those sold at the nearest supermarket! They are especially popular in the rural
community during breakfast time. Bro. Rosario personally delivers his orders on
his motorcycle.
Bro. Rosario’s Self-Reliance course taught him these skills to
determine the most effective ways to spend his time and resources. “Businesses
are meant to earn,” he stated firmly. “I learned how to keep records,”
explained Bro. Rosario as he showed us the notebook where he keeps track of his
purchases, sales, and profits for each order. He saves his receipts and
carefully determines whether his transactions really help him earn. He shares
what he learns with his family and praises his daughters for the work they
contribute to the business, however simple the tasks may be.
“And what’s more, I can help others! For example, I lowered the
price for the young men and young women in our ward to fundraise with the
donuts to fund their trip to the temple.”
He frequently reviews the principles taught in the manual “My
Foundation” as well as, “Starting and Growing My Business” on his own to
continue receiving inspiration and guidance in his temporal and spiritual
goals. He practices the tool “Me in 30 Seconds” and gave us an animated example
of his self-presentation right there! “I continually review the Self-Reliance
materials, and I always learning something new,” he says.
His small business has evolved over the last 6 months and he
already has more demand than he can keep up with! He is now experimenting with
cupcakes, mini cupcakes, and other delicacies he can create. He has been approached
by neighbors who would like to work for him, but he is being cautious to keep
up with the demand in a strategic way. Six months from now, he hopes to provide
enough income from his business alone without working another job to provide
for his lovely wife and two girls. “We are doing so well!” he says proudly.
It was priceless to witness the glow of self-confidence faith of this young, industrious father in action! Brother Rosario’s is a testimony of Heavenly Father’s vision and love for his children in need in all parts of the world. He wants us to progress and prosper in the sweetest ways!
