“A welder by profession and an artisan at heart.” The hands of Lorenzo López, an entrepreneur from the commune of Parral, reveal years of experience, strength, and the ability to handle tools with precision and skill to bring new objects to life. There are days when his fingers hide soot stains, but also a dazzling creativity to transform iron into beautiful and functional art.
“My business involves reusing, taking something that once had life, served a purpose, and turning it into a piece of art, a decorative work for the home. What some see as waste, I see as an opportunity to give it another life,” explains the entrepreneur and founder of Artesanías en Fierro (@artesaniasenfierro_ on Instagram).
Two years ago, in search of a boost for his business, he applied to the Impulso Inicial program of Fundación Luksic, where he was selected as one of the participants. “When I found out I had won, I was overjoyed. It was something unattainable for me because the equipment they provided was very expensive. Now, production in my work is much faster, more efficient, and the quality of my work is much better,” says Lorenzo.
He received a plasma cutter, which has allowed him to increase his sales by 50%. The machine, in his words, “changed his life”: “When I deliver my work to the client, it fills me to see their happy faces because they see a job done meticulously with love and care. Everything I forge with my hands is to show people because this is forged with care, with all the drive of an iron artisan,” says the entrepreneur.
New Call for Entrepreneurs in Manual and Craft Trades
Lorenzo is part of the more than 14,000 entrepreneurs who, since 2018, have been supported by Fundación Luksic with the aim of providing a concrete and direct contribution to men and women who need to strengthen their businesses and increase their sales. The Impulso Inicial program provides machinery and/or semi-industrial tools to help entrepreneurs professionalize their production processes, as well as personalized training in formalization, digital marketing, administration, and costs to enhance business management.
“Through our programs and initiatives, we seek to contribute to the country’s development by training people. We want the entrepreneurs of our country to have the tools and training opportunities to enhance all their capabilities and unleash their full potential,” explains Cristián Schalper, Director of the Entrepreneurship Area at Fundación Luksic.
Application Requirements
Impulso Inicial seeks to support owners of traditional businesses that operate regularly and consistently. While it is not required to have registered business activities with the IRS, the business must have been operating for at least six months, and the applicant must have an up-to-date Social Household Registry (RSH) statement.
For this call, it is required that the business is related to manual and craft trades, meaning it must be in the fields of stationery, sublimation, printing, jewelry making, and/or crafts.
The call will be open from Monday, September 2, to Monday, September 16, and those interested can review the legal terms and apply at www.fundacionluksic.cl.
