Summary
Highlights
Living with friends, their financial situation remained precarious. After a heartfelt prayer and a promise to God, Dana received an unexpected call from a family acquaintance—a real estate agent. This agent offered them a rental apartment for 900 euros, trusting them despite their lack of official documents. This move to their own place felt like a miracle.
Shortly after moving, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Dana, then working part-time, was placed on ERTE, receiving 400 euros a month. During this period, she discovered she was pregnant again. Facing renewed uncertainty, Dana spoke honestly with their real estate agent about their struggles. Another miracle unfolded: the agent's sisters offered their deceased mother's apartment for Dana's family to live in rent-free, enabling them to save money.
With steady work and savings, Dana and her husband decided to buy a home. The process was challenging due to their non-traditional income. After numerous rejections from banks, and facing the expiration of their down payment deposit, they encountered a broker who, despite initial difficulties, secured a mortgage. Then, miraculously, their original bank offered them a better mortgage deal moments before they were to finalize the substandard one. This culminated in them successfully purchasing their home.
Their audiovisual company, San Marino Films, grew from a basic camera and editing skills. Santi, Dana's husband, initially documented church testimonies and a music video. A pivotal moment came when an influencer inquiry, initially considered a low-paying opportunity, led to a connection with an agency. This, combined with a paid Instagram promotion, caught the attention of a producer at Inditex, opening doors to significant collaborations with international brands like Adidas and Salomon. Dana's role evolved from handling administrative tasks to assisting with creative direction on set, leveraging her psychological background to manage teams and productions effectively.
Dana and her husband arrived in Spain eight years ago with only 5,000 euros, which was the result of selling all their possessions. Dana was pregnant with their first child, and they faced immense uncertainty. They quickly realized their money wouldn't last long, and finding accommodation was difficult, as landlords required stable income and extensive documentation they didn't possess.
Their funds dwindled to just 20 euros. Dana’s husband tried various odd jobs, including selling lottery tickets for a non-profit, often earning very little. This period was emotionally challenging, with moments of despair and tears. A turning point came when they decided to invest their last 200 euros in instant camera film to sell photos to tourists. This venture proved successful, offering a temporary source of income. Eventually, friends offered them a place to stay when their apartment became unsustainable.