Israel García used a COVID shutdown to expand his repair skills

The Lomas Verdes bazaar was a major Mexico City destination for repairs, gadgets and upgrades, but COVID-19 restrictions shut it for months. Workers had to move sales and repair work home as the city became more dependent on technology.

Israel García used the stoppage to complete five online certifications in other types of repair, paying 10,000 pesos for each—just under $500 at the reported exchange rate. He said he recovered the investment quickly. When the bazaar reopened in October 2021, customers largely returned, and the new skills had converted idle time into earning capacity.

Five certifications at about 10,000 pesos each expanded García's repair range; he said he made the money back quickly and stayed afloat until the bazaar reopened.

The closure created forced downtime but also more demand for working technology.

Online courses let a local technician widen his offer without waiting for the bazaar to reopen.

Fast payback showed that the training was tied to sellable repair work.

When a physical service market closes, invest the downtime in adjacent capabilities that can be sold immediately on reopening or from home.

García's decision did not require a new brand or a new venue; it strengthened the capability he already sold. The bazaar reopened with workers returning to their stalls, while his certifications made the shutdown less of a lost season and more of a skills investment.