Reem Odeh is an example of persistence and commitment. Reem moved back to Jordan from Kuwait in 1990 as a result of the Gulf War. She worked multiple jobs to support her family. Ultimately, Reem joined a company that supplied restaurants and hotels with cold appetizers, specifically pickles. Reem excelled in sales, however, in 2011 the war in Syria ended the import of pickled foods to Jordan, and the company she worked for closed.

Reem decided to start her own pickle business and sourced her merchandise from local women. Because of Reem’s reputation in the market, people were eager to work with her. Today she is the biggest supplier in the market. Reem’s first Vitas loan was JOD 30,000 ($42,313) and she used it to import additional products. “I couldn’t afford it without the money I borrowed from Vitas, now I am the only one who provides such unique items in the market,” Reem said.

“I am happy with Vitas, and I wish my bank treated me the way they do at Vitas, I’ve done business with the bank for more than 15 years now and they never care or provide any support, especially when I approached them after COVID-19. On the other hand, Vitas staff called us and offered to defer repayment and said that they are open to support if we need cash,” Reem said. Reem now has an active loan of JOD 100,000 ($140,000) the day we interviewed her she applied for a new factoring loan. Vitas Jordan is now the only financial provider she does business with.