Willen Ma: Turning obstacles into opportunities

MANILA, Philippines - Even to this day, Willen Ma is still amazed at how she was able to stand the heat in the kitchen literally and figuratively. A pharmacist by profession, Willen was thrown into the difficult task of continuing the legacy of Masuki, a well-loved mami house in Binondo which her deceased father built 40 years ago.

“It was hard because I had no background in business,” begins Willen, the youngest child in a Chinese family. “Traditionally, it’s supposed to be the eldest child who should take the lead. But our business was facing a tough time during that time so I had to step in. I could not take it sitting down that our family business was slowly going down.”

Willen, who admits she didn’t know anything about the food business, immediately got down to work and started fixing the broken pieces.

“My motivation was my father and my family. This business saw us through. My father was able to send me to school because of the mami house,” says Willen. “I was determined to continue operating the mami house that the Filipino-Chinese community has loved all these years. Masuki offered food from the original menu and added some more. We still use the same ingredients and condiments to keep the flavor and taste that our customers love,” add Willen.

When everything was already going smoothly, Willen opened Masuki’s second branch in Greenhills in 2004. “The owner of the building in Greenhills was one of my suppliers. He offered me the space even without a guarantee that I will pay him for the rental. He believed that much in our brand,” recounts Willen. “I was also able to set up another branch because of the generosity of friends who decided to invest in Masuki. They were instrumental in making me feel that I was not alone in any battle.”

Little did Willen know that she was up for another surprise. As the Sy family of the SM Group of Companies is a loyal patron of Masuki, Willen was offered to open branches in SM malls. Not one to pass up any opportunity to expand the business, Willen grabbed the chance to serve favorite Binondo dishes to mallgoers.

Masuki’s SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia branches opened in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

“I felt a sense of fulfillment when the business kept on growing and expanding. It’s a proof that I have done a great job in taking Masuki under my wing,” relates Willen.

The food entrepreneur also acknowledges the importance of taking care of one’s employees. “The company experienced labor issues long before I joined it so I’m very careful for that not to happen again. As the head of the business, I spend a lot of time ensuring that good relationships are cultivated at work. My best weapon is not muscle but patience. And I think that’s an asset of a lady boss,” she says.

Willen, a single mother, has to also juggle attending to her business and taking care of her kids. “As we all know, mothering is a full-time job. But 50 people are also dependent on me for their source of living. So I had to make sure I did well in both departments,” she says.

And she did. Her business continues to grow and her two children are now helping her with running the commissary and operations of Masuki.

“As an entrepreneur, you will really go through different challenges. What’s important is you turn these obstacles into opportunities for you to learn from and grow both professionally and personally,” says Willen.

“Managing the business is an everyday learning experience. I look into the future and hope for the best. But I also work hard to achieve my goals.”

Her secret ingredient to success? “I believe in my brand. So selling it to other people becomes an easier task,” concludes Willen.