Entrepreneurship with Freska

MANILA, Philippines - More discerning and mindful working Filipinos are now waking up to the reality that alongside keeping a day job, it is also important if not more preferable to pursue other interests like owning a business.

Take the case of Nannette Ribaya-Regala and Sarah Montenegro-Navarro. Both are accomplished professionals in their respective fields and now serve as executives of major local banks. While they enormously enjoy what they do, they feel there is an urge for them to try something different.

Having been co-workers and friends in the same financial institution, they decided to pool their resources together and pursue their dream of owning a business of their own. It did not take long for them to find the viably perfect business model that worked for them.

Sarah and Nannette are now proud owners of two Freska Ilonggo Seafood & Inasal franchised branches — one at the RCBC Tower in Makati which they opened in March 2010 and another in Tagaytay (Vista Point across Robinsons’ Summit Ridge Hotel) which they opened in December last year.

“Franchising is advisable for those who would like to do both - run a business and still be employed. You can opt to find a partner you can trust or create a small corporation,” Nannette emphasized.

It was Nannette who found out about Freska in one of the franchising shows she attended. She left her contact information and soon after, was invited to attend presentations.

Unfortunately, Nannette said her busy schedule always made it impossible for her to attend those presentations, so she directly went to Freska and got briefed on the business.

After the presentation she decided she cannot do it alone and thought about a few friends who might be interested to work with her in setting up the business. One of her responsive friends was Sarah, Nannette’s co-worker and friend for 10 years.

Apart from being an Ilongga who also loves to cook, Sarah said putting up a food business was the most sound for her since food is always a good investment. Many experts claim that food business in the Philippines is ‘crisis proof’ since Filipinos love food and will always patronize restaurants and food carts.

“Food business is a good investment and will always work. Besides, we were offered a good location. As you know, an investment has to be in a very good location,” Sarah noted.

Freska Group, headed by its president and CEO Mark Sarabia Gorriceta, offered the two friends the Makati location, which became one of the main considerations that helped seal the deal for Nannette and Sarah. Nannette said that unlike other franchisers, Freska’s location offer was a good one as it is assured of a steady stream of customers.

The RCBC branch of Freska enjoyed good patronage from office workers and professionals whose offices are located in and around RCBC Tower. Nannette and Sarah were satisfied with their investment when another good opportunity came their way. Freska offered them a second location in Tagaytay City.

Visit Freska Ilonggo Seafood & Inasal at the following branches: Food Village, Tiendesitas, Ortigas Ave cor C5, Pasig; Katipunan Ave., Blueridge, Q.C.; 2nd Level Promenade Mall, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan; Smallville Arcade, Diversion Road, Iloilo City; Fiesta Market, Market! Market! Bonifacio Global City, Taguig; 3rd Level, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Ave cor Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati; Shopwise Arcade, Araneta Center, Q.C.; Vista Point, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaygay City (across Robinsons’ Summit Ridge); Ground Level, Starmall Edsa Shaw, Mandaluyong; 4th Level, The Enterprise Center, Ayala Ave. corner Paseo de Roxas, Makati; and 2nd Level, University Mall, Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila. For franchise inquiries, call 703-4140; 535-1828 or 09175545103.