ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Latosha Boadu says she found true joy in starting her own business, but her journey was not easy.
Now, she shares how she stays open when the cards are stacked against her.
“The regular nine to five is not for me, I have children, and they are sick. And I need a foundation where I can help people and also help myself,” said Latosha Boadu, owner of Oya’s Market.
Boadu left the medical field a few years ago to become his own boss.
“A lot of times, we don’t have a safe place to explore spirituality, and that’s why it’s my dream to have a store where people can feel comfortable, and learn how to explore their spirituality. ,” said. Boadu.
He first opened the store in 2021 as ABQ Apotheosis. Business flourished when people discovered his store, but everything came to a halt after a massive flood.
“It’s been about five months, since we had to close that store. And starting over, it’s hard, you know? Boadu said. “Losing a lot of inventory, losing a lot of product and, and customers.”
He was forced back into a “regular” job, but he couldn’t do it. There he found the Albuquerque “BLESS” fund run by Jay Wilson and received a grant to reopen.
“It’s different than trying to apply for business loans and business grants. If you’re a small business, and you’re not really recognized, and you haven’t had a chance to do your report and do the things that they’re looking for. Then you know, nobody wants to take a chance on you,” Boadue said.
But the BLESS fund did, and with the grant he could reopen.
Boadu says it’s a tough fight, but one he won’t change.
“It’s about believing in yourself and believing in your dreams and following those dreams, no matter how many people say ‘Oh, no, that’s stupid,'” Boadu said.
Boadu said he has also developed a website to attract more customers that way.
