At the age of twelve, Rita Fuentes journeyed with her family to the United States from Cuba, with nothing but the clothes on her back. Filled with hope and determination, she looked forward to living the rest of her life in the land of opportunity.

“When I was a child, I saw my parents leave everything behind in Cuba where I was born,” she recalls. “Their dream was to make sure my sister and I lived in freedom and pursued our dreams.”Rita fulfilled her parents’ dreams by working hard in school, and later opening her own businesses. “At a young age, I knew I had the entrepreneurial spirit my father had and knew I wanted to be my own boss,” shares the Palos Verdes, California resident. 

Initially, Rita owned and operated four high-end women’s clothing boutiques in Southern California. She did this for over a decade, however, significant rent increases and having to work long hours motivated her to change professions. “When I closed my clothing boutiques, I knew I had to find something else to do, and for me, working for a corporation was not an option,” she says. “After so many years of being my own boss I could not imagine working for someone else.”

While looking for a new business to run, Rita coincidentally attended a home show for PartyLite (www.PartyLite.com), one of the largest direct sellers of scented candles and accessories in the world. “I saw you did not have to invest, or carry inventory,” she says. “Hosting shows allowed me a flexible schedule so I decided to give it a try.” 

Rita became an independent consultant with PartyLite in 1996. “PartyLite offered me the opportunity to build my own business without having to work 24/7 as I had to do with my stores,” she reports. “It also offered me the opportunity to build an income with no ceiling.”

Now, 11 years later, Rita earns a mid-six figure income and serves as PartyLite’s regional vice president in California. "I never imagined selling anything, especially candles, could be this fun and lucrative," she says. “I have a fabulous career that offers me freedom, flexibility, time with my family, and unlimited income. I am finally living the American Dream." HBM 

Previously published in the February 2007 issue of HOME BUSINESS® Magazine, an international publication for the growing and dynamic home-based market. Available on newsstands, in bookstores and chain stores, and via subscriptions ($15.00 for 1 year, six issues). Visit www.homebusinessmag.com

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