Ricxia Valbuena’s success story is one of resilience, perseverance, and triumph. A mother of three, she came to the United States after fleeing Venezuela, where she endured persecution from her ex-husband. Ricxia was determined to create a better future for her family. What she didn’t expect was that life would challenge her at every turn — and that she would rise stronger each time.
After arriving in the United States, Ricxia came up with an idea for a package delivery business. An entrepreneurial sort, she was determined to make a difference. After receiving a $15,000 loan, Ricxia purchased a vehicle and started delivering packages. With the guidance of technical assistance and advice from a loan officer, she gained the knowledge and skills necessary to grow her business, even as she navigated the daily demands of balancing work and motherhood.
But just five months into her delivery business, disaster struck. A devastating hurricane swept through her town, destroying her home and car. Faced with unimaginable loss, Ricxia could have given up. Instead, she pressed forward.
She applied for and received a grant from HIAS’ Economic Advancement Fund (EAF) designed to help small business owners recover from the impact of the hurricane. With that lifeline, Ricxia found an opportunity to manage deliveries for a large warehouse and eventually secured a contract that allowed her to oversee deliveries in an entire territory. Today, Ricxia is no longer delivering packages alone — she’s leading a team of 33 drivers, providing jobs to others and creating economic opportunities in her community. Her company Carga Skyhaul has become a symbol of what’s possible when resilience meets opportunity.
