MEET
Patricia Guiselle Badilla Marin
From a small dream of fresh food to a thriving family-run greenhouse, Patricia is growing more than crops — she’s cultivating possibility.
Her journey
In Zapotal, Patricia joined Bean Voyage with one simple goal: “the idea of improving, of getting a project off the ground.” Between caring for her home and family, she wanted to grow something of her own — a project that could feed her household and her hope.
Her biggest challenge wasn’t skill or money — it was time. “Honestly, I thought I didn’t have any time left,” she laughs. “But thank God, I even managed to harvest already.”
Her favorite moments came from the in-person sessions. “The best part was the demonstration plots,” she says, “and meeting everyone. I didn’t know most of them — it was really beautiful.”
With her seed capital, Patricia built her greenhouse from scratch — buying posts, shade netting, cement, and sand — with help from her father and brother. Soon, neat rows of green filled the space. “The plants grew so well, even though they were from seed, which is much harder,” she says proudly.
“To build a small company, to produce and sell more.”
Key Learnings
Bean Voyage helped her see her garden as more than a hobby. “They supported us in so many ways — through courses and training that taught me how to manage money and plan,” she says.
She discovered how much she loves planting — having everything fresh, eating directly from her garden. Every new sprout became a reminder that small, steady effort can bring abundance.
Transformation
What began as a small home project became a source of income — about 20,000 colones a month — and pride. Her parents supported her every step, and her garden flourished.
“It felt like winning the lottery,” Patricia says with a smile. “But thank God, it worked out.”
About Patricia’s Project
NAME OF THE PROJECT
Siempre saludable
REGION / COUNTRY
Pérez Zeledón – Costa Rica
SEED FUND FROM BV
$500 USD
PROJECT TYPE
Home Gardens
Looking Ahead
Now, Patricia dreams of expanding her greenhouse into a local business so her neighbors can buy healthy plants nearby instead of traveling far.
Her vision is clear: “To build a small company, to produce and sell more.”
And she’s still eager to keep learning. “I’d love more training,” she says. “I really want to keep moving forward.”
What started as a simple wish to improve has blossomed into a story of growth — rooted in patience, persistence, and family.