DEC 9 2021
We had the honor of talking with Eca, a new neighbor who has worked hard to plan and build a business here in Northwest Arkansas. He spoke with us about his story, some of the challenges he has faced, and what keeps him motivated to continue through the hard times.
Eca’s Story
“I was born in the Congo, and during the war, we moved [to Burundi]. I lived [there] for sixteen years before coming here… I was working and kept waiting… and it was just a dream [to come to the U.S.].”
Eca was waiting, and working different jobs in the meantime, watching others leave to be resettled in various places. “And one day, I was coming home from work and I saw that I was [going to be] traveling, I was very happy. For 16 years, I was working really hard. Mechanics said [my work was] really well done. I was just doing my work, mainly on big trucks, feeling like I needed to be settled somewhere – coming here was a deep joy for me.”
“[When I got here] it was hard for me to find a job that I wanted.” Eca struggled, though he had extensive training as a mechanic, he didn’t have the requirements needed for local jobs. He discussed a common struggle many coming from other places across the world face due to barriers including language – “even if you went to school and have a degree, it might not be easy for you to get a job that you want until you go to school [here].” Eca tried different jobs when he first arrived, worked for a time as a hotel housekeeper, but his dream of being a mechanic remained his goal all along.
Eca was thrilled when he found one company who would give him a chance in the world of mechanics. After a successful first interview with Ozark Regional Transit, they gave him the opportunity to come in for a three month trial period with the goal of becoming a full-time mechanic. Eca was overjoyed to finally get to do the work he had trained to do for years prior and take steps towards his goals.
The Challenges of Pursuing Your Dreams
Eca ran into many barriers that made this pursuit of his goals more difficult. He worked for one employer who, after months, would not pay him. “It was hard for me to get help until I spoke to Canopy,” he said. Canopy helped him through this difficult situation by connecting him with someone who helped him to finally get paid for his work and connected to an employer who could afford to pay him a living wage. He also had difficulty finding childcare for his son who was too young for daycare and had to find work that would allow him to care for his son and work when childcare was available, which meant working from
From Dream to Reality
“I was working in Rogers and some of my friends used to buy and sell cars… that’s where I got the idea [for my business]. They started showing me where they buy cars and what they do before they sell them. And I was interested to see how the whole system [went]. They used to spend more money on fixing [the cars] and I was just thinking ‘I can do this’.” Eca went on to begin fixing cars and selling them on the side, and realized he really could make a living doing something he loved.
“My [goal] was to open the shop,” he said, but he knew he wanted to be known and trusted in the community when he started his business. He began saving money for a dealership license and ran into a barrier – this business required a physical location.
Eca came to Canopy for assistance with his dream just before the first official entrepreneurship class began. This course allowed Eca not only to learn the basics of owning a business in our community and cultural business practices in Northwest Arkansas, but also to secure a loan through Forge Community Loan Fund for his business.
Eca arrived in Northwest Arkansas on February 14th, 2017 and was able to finally start his business, this year, in February of 2021. After an incredible amount of barriers he had to overcome and a major car accident he went through that still impacts movement in his hand to this day, he was able to make his long-time dream of being a mechanic and owning his own business a reality. His business is now three-in-one: a mechanic shop, a used car dealership, and a tow truck service.
Gratitude and Advice
Nine months into his business, he highlighted that his key motivation through the hard work to get to where he is today is his son. “My son is the reason I do this… going through all those things, I still know why I’m doing this.” For upcoming entrepreneurs, he says, “trust and believe in what you’re doing… if you’re scared of problems, that’s when you don’t have success. When you are in business, the hard times teach you a lesson.”
“I always thank the U.S. for giving people an opportunity to [start new] lives. I thank people from Northwest Arkansas [for their] welcome here and giving us a chance to be a part of [the community].”
Check out Mossi’s Auto Repair in Fayetteville for mechanic work, towing, and used car sales to support Eca’s local business!
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