When Bella Abastta tried to help customers in her parents’ store at the age of 12, no one took her seriously and demanded to see an adult instead. She never lost her passion for sales, however, and now, as a 20-year-old, she owns her own shop, Mosiac Lamar Park at 3820 S. Alameda.
“I’ve always loved clothes and fashion,” Abastta said. “Ever since I was a little girl I said, ‘Maybe, one day, I’ll own a store.’”
Abastta opened for business six months ago and has managed to increase sales with each passing week. She credits the Small Business Development Center at Del Mar College for helping make it all possible. Federally and state-funded, the center offers free services to people in the community who want to start or grow a small business.
“We help with developing a business plan, long-term projections and with getting the paperwork ready for a lender,” said Amy Wright, a program services technician with the center. “Even if you don’t need a lender and you’re just expanding, struggling or need direction, we have business advisors who can help you.”
Fresh out of high school, Abastta needed it all. She was first told she would never get a loan, but she pushed on and managed to talk the shop’s seller into an owner-financed deal. She was then assigned to Celia Garza, a certified business advisor at the center, who helped her do the rest.
“It was like getting a business degree without going to business school,” Abastta said. “Celia answered my questions before I knew what I was going to ask. She helped from start to finish. I could not have done this without her.”
Abastta learned about the center from her mother, Crystal Abastta, who knew her daughter dreamed of owning her own shop some day. Abastta’s parents own Sparkling City Jewelers and Florist in Corpus Christi.
“She said, ‘If you’re going to do this, go through (the development center) for the free counseling,’” Bella Abastta said. “I didn’t know what it was, but I tried, and it worked.”
Business is not just good, said the young Abastta, “It’s fabulous!”
“Of course, there are days I tell myself to go get a normal job, but this is really great,” she said. “I’m living the dream.”
The very first month in business, she exceeded her sales goal. She has continued to surpass expectations with each passing sales period.
“It’s doing really good for the little store that I am,” said Abastta, who has been utilizing her social media and marketing skills to build a client base. Just six months into her new business, she’s already looking to expand into another location on the Southside.
“My plans are to keep up with everything that has to do with fashion — what’s in, what’s now — and keeping my customers happy,” Abastta said. “I want my customers to feel at home here.”
Even at such a young age, this new entrepreneur has some sage advice for those looking to open up their own business.
“The number one thing they should do is go to the Small Business Development Center and tell them what you want to do,” she said. “And, more importantly, follow every step that they give you. That’s what will be best for you and your business.”
