Programs: Global Home and Office Smart
Facts
Announced:
January 6, 2012
Category:
Providing Small & Growing Businesses with Access to Financing & Business Services
Grant Amount: $350,000 Loan
Grant Objective:
Expand a Haitian office retail store.
The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund made a $350,000 program-related investment in Global Home and Office Smart, a Haitian retail store. Alongside the loan and the Haitian founders’ own contribution, the store is opening a downtown Port-au-Prince store.
Global Home and Office Smart is the “Office Depot” of Haiti. It sells computers, office supplies, and locally supplied textbooks.
Founded in 1999, Global Home and Office Smart is Haiti’s third-largest Haitian-owned office supply retailer. The earthquake destroyed its office building, warehouse, and much of its stock. However, the store’s three young entrepreneurs moved quickly into makeshift facilities, and positioned the company for growth. This loan allowed the business to complete the first step of a three-phase expansion—moving out of its temporary facilities in converted containers, and into a new furnished and stocked showroom.
In February 2012, Global Home and Office Smart opened its showroom and received much local press for being the first business to relocate to the down-town area since the 2010 earthquake. The owners have begun purchasing products produced in Haiti to support the local economy.
Why We Invested in Global Home and Office
Clinton Bush Haiti Fund's grant to Global Home and Office Smart reflects our commitment to supporting Haitian businesses and entrepreneurs.
Transforming Lives and Livelihoods
The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund grant to support Global Home and Office has:
- Helped a Haitian company expand;
- Employed 58 people, 23 of whom are working directly in the store;
- Allowed local businesses to more easily procure office supplies.
About Global Home and Office
Global Home and Office Smart, founded in 1999, is Haiti’s third largest Haitian-owned wholesaler and retailer of office supplies, equipment, and services. Its customers include many major nongovernmental organizations, various embassies & international organizations, and the Haitian private & public sectors.
