Making rings and things was a dream come true for three friends who met at a Jerusalem art institute, but turning their crafts into a livelihood was a design without a plan.

For Daniela Zylbersztajn, Efrat Habani, and Shiri Hyman, the answer came through Keren Koret and its association with "Women's Own," a business course for female entrepreneurs.

"The hard part was to make the first step, and here is where the Koret Foundation came in the picture, because they helped us to make the first step," Zylbersztajn said.

The course offered business planning and training, public relations assistance, mentoring, and the opportunity to apply for a small business loan through Koret Israel Economic Development Funds. Each of the three women applied for a loan. Once approved, they pooled their funds to open their South Tel Aviv fashion shop, Fabrica, selling handcrafted jewelry, handbags, shoes, and clothing all made in the loft-turned-design studio upstairs.

"We are designers. We knew nothing about business," Zylbersztajn said. "I don't know that we were brave so much as naïve."

Juggling motherhood and family life with the duties inherent in running the store and keeping the shelves stocked, each designer keeps the proceeds of her own wares.

So far, reaction to the charming little shop in a transitional neighborhood has been very positive.

"Although we are off the beaten path, once a customer finds us, she returns again and again," Habani said.

Today, the business is flourishing, and Hyman is seeking a second loan to expand her capability, thanks in part to the head start made possible by Koret.