Miryam, a 67-year-old entrepreneur based in Colombia, has turned her penchant for local news into a surprisingly lucrative career. In a recent interview with content creator Lady Daniella, she detailed how she transformed neighbourhood whispers into a steady stream of income, asserting that her earnings have been sufficient to acquire two homes.
The foundation of Miryam’s success is her strategic placement outside her residence, where she acts as a central hub for community information. She proudly identifies as a professional “chismosa,” the Spanish term for a female gossip, and embraces the role with enthusiasm. “I love gossip,” she says, noting that “gossip is my life; it runs through my blood.”
Her pricing structure is tiered based on the nature of the information provided. While less sensational details are shared for between 5,000 and 10,000 Colombian pesos, she charges significantly more for sensitive secrets. For instance, she once earned 700,000 Colombian pesos for keeping quiet about a man’s infidelity during his wife’s travels.
Miryam employs a methodical approach to her work, carrying a notebook to record overheard conversations. She maintains that this practice ensures accuracy and provides necessary evidence to support her claims. During a home tour, she displayed a bulletin board covered in photographs and documents, which she claims serve as proof of her stories, including images of neighbours allegedly engaged in extramarital affairs.
The business model also involves a degree of leverage. Miryam noted that some individuals pay her to keep their secrets, stating, “She gives me money so I won’t tell him, and he gives me money so I won’t tell his wife and children.” Despite facing competition from others attempting to replicate her methods, she insists on an ethical standard, claiming she never shares information without concrete evidence.
Beyond her doorstep, she gathers information by meeting friends at a second property to play board games like Parcheesi, where the exchange of local news is a primary activity. She also showed the interviewer a large piggy bank overflowing with cash, which she claims represents her weekly earnings.
Miryam views her work as a legitimate service, often questioning whether she is simply an unofficial neighbourhood reporter. She believes her unconventional business supports her lifestyle while creating opportunities for others in the community. “Gossip brings in money,” she asserts, adding that where a story exists, a business can follow.
Reflecting on the longevity of her trade, she remains confident that the demand for information will persist. “Wherever you go, there’s gossip, so it will never end,” she says. She concludes with a humorous observation on the ubiquity of her craft: “In every respectable neighbourhood, there’s a gossip, and if you don’t know a gossip, then you are the gossip.”
The documentation of Miryam’s entrepreneurial journey has gained significant traction on TikTok, highlighting her reputation as the “Queen of Gossip” and her unique ability to turn social dynamics into financial stability.
“I can be here talking with you, but my little ears are well positioned to listen to what people are saying,” she explains.
Speaking about her most expensive piece of gossip, Miryam recalled charging 700,000 Colombian pesos to keep quiet about a man who was allegedly unfaithful to his wife whenever she travelled.
Her methods of gathering gossip are as meticulous as they are entertaining.
Among them were pictures allegedly showing neighbours involved in extramarital affairs.
Source: Gulf Today
