A Cuban woman known on TikTok as @yisi9 has ignited a heated conversation online after she released a video openly admitting her dislike for traditional employment, favoring entrepreneurship and investment over a fixed-schedule job.
The video, uploaded on April 8, is a minute and 27 seconds long and has garnered over 309,700 views, 12,300 likes, and 499 comments. It has become a focal point for discussions comparing entrepreneurship with conventional work.
@yisi9 begins the video by declaring, "I don’t like working, and that has been controversial. But the world needs all kinds of people to function."
She clarifies that her issue isn't with productivity itself but with the structured nine-to-five employment model. "I can't see myself working a nine-to-five job, and I’ve faced a lot of criticism for that," she says.
Instead, she expresses her enthusiasm for business and investment, saying, "I'm into entrepreneurship. I've been a businesswoman since my time in Cuba."
The Roots of Her Entrepreneurial Spirit
@yisi9 recounts a childhood in Cuba marked by scarcity. "We had to sell everything at home, absolutely everything, because we had nothing. We even sold eyebrow pencils," she recalls.
Her grandmother introduced her to business at a young age. "My grandma took me to places where she did business. I grew up in that business environment, and I feel that upbringing propelled me to where I am today," she explains.
Currently, @yisi9 runs an online business and manages her schedule independently. "Today I do my nails, tomorrow I might be on the couch, and the next day, I'm glued to the computer for 24 hours looking for ways to grow my online business," she describes.
Her work philosophy is straightforward: "I do it when I feel like it. When I don’t, I don’t." She sums up her identity in one phrase: "I’ve been a hustler since birth."
Entrepreneurship: A Growing Trend
She acknowledges the value of formal employment, stating, "A nine-to-five job gives you stability," but insists that this path isn't for her, emphasizing that everyone has their own way of living life.
This video is part of a growing trend among the Cuban diaspora, where young Cubans start their own businesses and sell through digital platforms as an alternative to state or salaried employment.
Examples like Flor de Cuba, who arrived in the U.S. with $200 and emotionally celebrated reaching one million dollars in sales within just 27 days through TikTok Shop, highlight the potential of this route. Recently, Flor de Cuba was honored as the Breakthrough Creator of the Year at the TikTok Shop Summit.
Another entrepreneur, Azulina, transitioned from waitress to generating thousands in monthly online sales after emigrating in 2023. Meanwhile, a Cuban woman with a business in Cuba earned 30,000 Cuban pesos on a slow day despite blackouts.
The debate between entrepreneurship and traditional employment is deeply rooted in Cuba's economic challenges, where a couple needs over 40,000 pesos monthly just for food. This pushes many to seek creative alternatives, with a "business mentality" learned from childhood becoming a tool for survival and advancement.
Exploring the Debate: Entrepreneurship vs Traditional Employment
Why does @yisi9 prefer entrepreneurship over a traditional job?
@yisi9 prefers entrepreneurship because she dislikes the structured nine-to-five job model and thrives on the autonomy and creativity that comes with running her own business.
How has @yisi9's background influenced her business mindset?
Her background, marked by economic hardship in Cuba and early exposure to business through her grandmother, instilled in her a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
What examples illustrate the success of Cuban entrepreneurs?
Flor de Cuba and Azulina are examples of Cuban entrepreneurs who have achieved significant success by leveraging digital platforms and creative business strategies after emigrating.