The year 2020 has been a big challenge as the Covid-19 pandemic arose and continues to disrupt the economic state in a global expanse. Thousands of people lost their jobs, not just in the Philippines, but throughout the world. Businesses abruptly shut down, more and more succumb to insufficiency in resources. But through all these happening around the world, could the toughest times stimulate the most exceptional solutions?
I have met five inspiring entrepreneurs and learned from them, as they pivot their careers and businesses to thrive amidst the pandemic. I have set a few questions for these role-models, hoping to motivate budding entrepreneurs and those who plan to start their own businesses. This might be a lengthy post, but just like my previous post about building a competitive Food Business, I am pretty sure you will pick up something along the extensive read. I hope this article inspire you to pursue your dream business despite the ongoing crisis.
BEATRIX MERCADO, RND, MSFS, Owner of Project Fit
BUSINESS NAME: PROJECT FIT PH
What was your previous profession before you decided to start your business?
I used to be a professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, but while I was a professor, I still did side businesses like selling baked goods and drinks.
What was your biggest challenge when you were starting?
I decided to widen my reach and cater to other cities, I underestimated the number of orders and the time and operation so it was really overwhelming, so from there, we learned our limits and things to improve on. From there, we learned how to improve our service, manage time and deliveries better without compromising quality.
What is Project Fit about and what do you offer?
Project Fit PH is a healthy meal delivery service and nutrition coaching service business. We help people live healthier through food and proper nutrition. We offer healthy meals for weight management, heart disease management, diabetes management, renal disease management and other health concerns, our aim is for people to live healthier and help them improve their nutrition as well. We also offer nutrition coaching with me, a Registered Nutritionist Dietitian, to help clients anywhere know how to build healthier habits, and know the meals the need to consume so they can achieve their health goals We also have various food choices like high protein meals, smoothie bowls and healthy drinks. A one stop shop for health.
How did the pandemic affect your sales?
I really was not making profits at all, my client base was so low that the only reason why I keep running the business is for my employees, so they can still earn for their family.
How did you pivot and bounce back from the pandemic?
I had to adapt, I reached out to my past clients, influencers, and boosted ads on Facebook. I also ran promos so clients will be enticed to subscribe to our meal plan. We have more products to launch and am excited.
If there would be anything you would advice budding entrepreneurs, what would it be?
It’s okay to start small but always have a big vision for your business coupled with action. Things will be difficult, there will always be challenges, but we should learn and not dwell from them. Give the best you can in what you want to do, and most of all be consistent and never quit!!! I had thoughts of quitting before, but I kept on pushing and pushing, now we have more clients, I was once a one-woman show and now we are a team of 6 and as I go along in business, my vision and goals get bigger. Also, take time to rest, love yourself and keep on learning. Grow as a person, your business also grows.
CHEF ERIC RAQUEÑO, SOUS CHEF, Kappou Imamura/Okada Manila, Owner of Tamago Boshi
BUSINESS NAME: TAMAGO BOSHI
What was your previous profession before you decided to start your business?
I am a Sous Chef at Kappou Imamura/Okada Manila.
What was your biggest challenge when you were starting?
Almost everything has changed because of the recent pandemic. Everything has become difficult. Every time you go out, you have to sanitize properly, take a shower right after, and endure a lot of hassle just to make sure you come back safe to your family. The long queues in the supermarkets were of no help. You have to source out your supplies systematically.
What is Tamago Boshi about and what do you offer?
It all started from my wife’s friend, requesting for some authentic Tamagoyaki/Dashi Tamago (Japanese rolled omelette). They have started looking for variations since then, so I made California Maki and Kimchi and then added some sushi rolls variety. I also jumped into the baked sushi craze, and I have also added Gyoza and Tonkatsu on the menu.
How did the pandemic affect your sales?
As of now I’m on a no work no/no pay status with my company and this small business of ours help us in ways.
How did you pivot and bounce back from the pandemic?
During the ECQ, restaurants were closed and almost everyone is in their homes. I jumped into the opportunity so I made Japanese lunch meals for my wife’s co workers and family members and started reselling my products. Though I am currently not back at work yet, Tamago Boshi has somewhat been a big help to us.
If there would be anything you would advice budding entrepreneurs, what would it be?
My advice is to Just Do It! And don’t be afraid to fail.
HENRY CHUA, PAPER ARCHITECT, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, Paperbound PH
BUSINESS NAME: PAPERBOUND PH
What was your previous profession before you decided to start your business?
Took up Architecture in college. Gone employed to a design firm, then from there, together with my business partner, we started Theology of Space. It’s an Architecture and Interior Design office. Designing hotels, restaurants, commercial spaces, offices, malls, cinemas, etc. Construction has been very exhausting. The energy in me was looking for a creative outlet, and there came Paperbound! Paperbound started at a printing store – photocopy, blueprint, office supplies, etc. Things didn’t went accordingly, we have to close it down. I was so devastated back then. I never gave up, got back to it for round two, like a boxing match. We focused on making custom items, like packaging, so no rentals to keep. Luckily, we got our niche on this one. Testing things out, on and off, we also tried
making stationeries. We made “Ang Bao’s”, Money envelopes, because I personally needed it. Instead of making it red and gold, we made it our own version. Manila Fame saw our work, and it became our stepping stone from there. The rest followed.
What was your biggest challenge when you were starting?
Finance, I was thinking all these ideas, but I got limited resources to fund it. Therefore, i’m being limited of what we can do, but it has to work. Finance should never be an excuse! Little by little, we have to work out whatever we can.
Marketing, Ideas were here, funds became available. How to sell them? Started with friends. There’s a pressure that the quality has to be good, or else. From there, keep selling and selling, always open for opportunities. Manpower, I cannot hire a professional to do all these. So sometimes, I have to do it myself. I see those as little challenges that I have to ace, so that later on, when I’m big as SM, I have a story to tell.
What is Paperbound PH about and what do you offer?
We are a design office that makes packaging and marketing peripherals. Everything that involves paper, we’re trying our everything to become at this. We may be not super cheap when it comes to price points, but what we can assure our clients, QUALITY is our top priority. We strongly believe if the product is at its best quality, customers will be
happy, and price difference will be the least of their concern. Paperbound means quality, yet exquisite, yet avant garde.
How did the pandemic affect your sales?
Pandemic caused some of our projects to be postponed. Also, there’s a decline of need of our products because businesses are concerned of keeping their things afloat, more than opening or improving or marketing their items. Especially for some of the items that are non-essentials.
How did you pivot and bounce back from the pandemic?
We’re still bouncing back. What we did, just keep doing whatever we’re doing, be best at it. Continue to conceptualize. Continue to be creative and productive. We’re doing this not just for ourselves, but people around us. As a brand that advocates creativity and uniqueness, we need to become somewhat a beacon of positivity and hope. If we can do it, surely they can too! When all of these are over, we can look back and say to ourselves, “continuously doing our homework isn’t so bad after all!” With regards to pandemic, since we can only do much, we tried making “Thank You” and “Get Well Soon” E-cards, something that can be sent away to our front liners or whoever we owe our thank you’s; and something that we can give away to anyone who needs to hear those thoughtful words. As much as us we want to make PPE’s, we are very much limited. These may be nothing, but at least we’ve done our part, and it’s something true from our hearts.
If there would be anything you would advice budding entrepreneurs, what would it be?
If you a have a dream business, then that dream is you. Continue to believe in it, it’s free anyway. Your dream, your vision, is a part of you, it’s what’s gonna keep you alive. Never sell it out. It may not materialize at first round. But with diligence, resourcefulness, and enough faith, things will happen, even beyond what you can imagine. Believing in your vision, and working it out, is far more important than finance, or marketing, or any tangible elements in starting a business. Your vision is the very foundation of everything. Without vision, people perish. So as businesses.
LEVI DIZON, RN, Owner of Julio’s Beef Pares
BUSINESS NAME: JULIO’S BEEF PARES
What was your previous profession before you decided to start your business?
I’m currently working as a nurse in a government hospital. Cooking is not really part-time, it was my first love.
What was your biggest challenge when you were starting?
Saving money for your capital was really tough but I would say that trying to introduce your product and turning doubters to believers is by far the biggest.
What is Julio’s Beef Pares about and what do you offer?
We’re a home-based food service in Mandaluyong that offers freshly cooked Pork Dinuguan, Chilis, Beef Pares Mami, Mozarella Stuffed Longanisa, and the star of our menu, Beef Pares. Our goal is not just to serve food and be the new Beef Pares in town but to create opportunities for others.
How did the pandemic affect your sales?
Just like other online businesses, we thrived during this time due to the closure of big name stores. People turned to social media to bring warm and good food to their tables. On the other hand, this pandemic made everything more difficult to execute plans and actions but it was my burning desire to serve the people that pushed me to meet all the needs of our customers.
How did you pivot and bounce back from the pandemic?
If we’ll talk about sales, it was pretty consistent since day one but not until we reverted back to MECQ and cases started to increase drastically. People are concerned with cross-contamination and overall sanitation but we made sure that we follow safety measures to assure them of clean and good food. That’s all we want, make them feel safe and make them happy. That helped us to survive during this time.
If there would be anything you would advice budding entrepreneurs, what would it be?
Do what you want and never let someone stop you from reaching your goals. Never forget to pray and thank God for everything.
MARIA KRISTINA D. BAUZON, RN, Owner of Pizza Don and Cheesecake Library
BUSINESS NAME: PIZZA DON X CHEESECAKE LIBRARY
What was your previous profession before you decided to start your business?
I’m a nurse by profession but the food industry seems to be my calling. After passing the boards I continued engaging in the management of a family owned restaurant with (then boyfriend) now my husband. It’s about to turn 10 years old next year.
What was your biggest challenge when you were starting?
Starting as a home baker, the biggest challenge was how to introduce my products to the market. Being a newbie two years ago, not everyone gave my goodies a try. So I had to do extra work and effort to be recognized. Blood, sweat and tears as they say. That’s why I’m always grateful for my clients who gave me chance and tried my goodies out, it really means a lot to those who were starting, just like me.
What is Cheesecake Library about and what do you offer?
My business came to life when my husband and brother-in-law decided to put up a small coffee shop called Javeritas. Since my sister-in-law and I love to cook and make desserts, the goal was to supply our cafe with home-baked goodies. Cake slices and pastries can be bought through walk-in/dine-in in Javeritas. But we also do made-to-order cheesecakes for special occasions. For our packaging we keep it simple and clean. I love it when the colors of my cakes and pastries pop-out in our white boxes. Minimal packaging for quality goods.
How did the pandemic affect your sales?
The impact was pretty big. I had to turn down orders during the quarantine period because I myself was afraid to go out. I stopped offering pastries as well because even though I wanted to make them, my ingredients were lacking due to closure of some of my suppliers.
How did you pivot and bounce back from the pandemic?
The pandemic, the ECQ rather, deprived us of our cravings, and with this, my goal is to satisfy those cravings by baking quality products. I don’t do shortcuts. All ingredients are portioned equally to make sure that flavor is rich and consistent. As they say, good food makes you feel good. And I think right now, having a comfort food lessens the stress of our current situation. I knew I achieved that goal when I started having repeat orders. So I guess, that’s how Cheesecake Library is slowly bouncing back.
If there would be anything you would advice budding entrepreneurs, what would it be?
To the budding entrepreneurs out there, my advice is that sell something that you yourself loves to eat. I always believe that food is someone’s expression of passion and affection. You can taste how much love they have put into it. In my case, most of the goodies that I bake are the ones that my husband and kids likes to munch on. So basically, the goodies that I sell are the same food that I serve on our family table. Believe me, the most honest and savage critic I have is a 6 year old boy. Lastly, grab this time as a chance to showcase your products, whatever it maybe. Give your best. Don’t get discouraged immediately if the response that you are aiming for is not yet coming. It will come, eventually. Just do what you do consistently. Research your market. Checkout the trend but innovate your work to standout. And, it’s okay to fail. But don’t give up. Remember, you’ll never get it right if you stop trying.
ARE YOU AN ENTREPRENEUR YOURSELF? WHAT ARE YOUR EXPERIENCES?
HOW DID THE PANDEMIC AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS?
