Cecilia Villafaña can be found in the Tayrona National Park Reserve in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which is located in the north of Colombia. She is a part of the Arhuaco tribe, and dedicates herself, like many others in her community, to selling mochilas (traditional handmade artisan bags) and handcrafts made by the Arhuaco community. Over one year ago Cecilia decided to start accepting electronic payments by obtaining the latest RBMovil mPOS (mobile point of sale) in market. Here Cecilia shares her Cashless Pioneers story and how enabling card payments has helped her grow her business.
I am from the Arahuaca indigenous tribe that lives in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, in the north of Colombia. I moved by the Magdalena River and began working in the Tayrona National Park over 12 years ago. I sell Arhuaca bags (mochilas), native to the Arhuacan people, as well as other products. My business’ name is Wintukwatutu which means: mochilas from the Arhuacan people. The products are made from sheep wool and other natural products that we process and weave.
My sales were initially declining because I didn’t have a POS. Clients wanted to pay with cards and I couldn’t sell to them. Therefore, I got myself a mobile POS device, which turned out to be easier than I imagined.
I’m very happy I did. I sell a lot more now and do it in a much simpler way. Also, it’s very convenient, and safer, because I don’t need to carry cash.
Electronic payments have brought more profit to my business since most of my clients want to pay with cards nowadays. I recommend others out there who don’t have a POS to get it now!