A new breed of street-based businessmen

MANILA, Philippines - Former advertising executive-turned-entrepreneur-turned-entrepreneurial advocate Jorge Noel Wieneke made heads turn for transforming an iconic potato-based snack into something out-of-the-ordinary through his very successful potato food stand. It was the start of something big for him, who went on to display further his entrepreneurial genius. 

All he wanted was to be a champion of entrepreneurship in the country.  All he wanted was to build a nation of entrepreneurs, starting from the grass roots level, doing his share to uplift the image and knowledge of Filipino entrepreneurs. Speaking on business seminars, little did he know that he was already starting his own revolution in entrepreneurship, an “entrep-volution” that would rally other Pinoy entrepreneurs to take that one, big, bold step and never be scared. 

With the help of friends the Angelpreneurs, fellow GoNegosyo mentors  who share his advocacy in helping professionalize street-based businessmen, he launched Kalye Negosyo. This grassroots-based mentoring program is for street-based entrepreneurs like the fishball vendor, shoe repairman, taho or balut vendor, which Wieneke made as a platform to start this small advocacy.

 “I wanted to help those who have concepts and want to go into business but don’t know where to start, those who can’t afford to pay seminar fees, those who want to learn through experience,” Wieneke said.

 The participants were taught how to have the right mindset in starting a business, how to create a unique selling proposition. And with the help of an immersion experiment by PACE (Professional Academy for Culinary Education), a culinary school in Marcos Highway, Cainta, those into the food business were taught about food costing and tasting and learned basic accounting, inventory and capitalization. 

Another challenge is sustainability, but  Wieneke hopes to start a new batch soon. “We hope the original volunteers can still offer their time and more donors will come in. I hope to continue this with God’s and other friends’ help so that it can be duplicated in other barangays. It’s like teaching men how to fish, being empowered to be successful.” 

Wieneke always believed that entrepreneurship is the secret to achieve financial success so he is giving all his time and energy to provide Filipinos with an entrepreneurial mindset. “The key is having the right mindset. Being in business is not easy, but if you become successful, the pride and joy one gets out of having a business that does well is incomparable,” Wieneke  said.