As most successful people say, those who resist change are bound to fail.

That change is the only constant thing when one is in the business of communication and technology is a fact that business owner Niza Lacea knows too well.

A long-time Smart load retailer from the Municipality of Balilihan, Bohol, Lacea was once an employee of a popular franchise business in her town which had load retailing as one of its services. However, the business closed shop; instead of being disheartened, Lacea took it as an opportunity to start her own load retailing business.

When she was still starting out, she recalled having to use keypad phones and having to manually keep records of the transactions on paper, which she found awfully taxing.“If I were to compare my experience as a retailer before and today, I would say that maintaining a load business these days is easier because of our smartphones, as well as with the help of apps like Smart’s Kapartner App and Maya Business,” said Lacea.

Apart from its own retailer-friendly Kapartner App, Smart is also promoting its fin-tech affiliate Maya to its retailers. Using the Maya Business App, retailers like Lacea can conveniently sell prepaid load, monitor real-time transactions, and offer additional services to their customers such as remittance, bills payment, and cash-ins.

“I stayed with Smart as a long-time retailer because their services have opened better livelihood opportunities for me. Their innovations have greatly improved the lives of retailers like me. I am eternally grateful,” added Lacea.

Seventeen years since she first started, Lacea has found success in her humble load retailing business, which also enabled her to open her own Agrivet business, help her family, and send her relatives to school. 

Smart's network of retailers is supported by the country's best mobile network according to Ookla. Smart's support for its retailers is also aligned with the company's commitment to help the country achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, including UNSDG #8 , which aims to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.