The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) through its annual “Grand Chamber Awards” will recognize Cebu’s strongest cakes and pastry brand — Leona.
The brand’s founder Jane-Jane T. Ong, will be named as this year’s Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year.
“Almost everybody in Cebu, if not all love the Leona brand, it is even becoming a Pasalubong item to tourists because of its excellent pastries and cakes,” said Melanie Ng, this year’s Grand Chamber Award committee chairperson.
According to Ng, it is high time for the business community in Cebu, to recognize Ong’s business, as a mirror of a successful home-base business that now has several outlets around metropolis.
With the passion of producing excellent home baked and pastries, Ong started Leona Cakes and Pastries as a backyard business venture in 1999. Unlike other business startups that are heavily banking on high-tech business strategies or “How To’s”, Ong on the other hand, adopts a system which is heavily grounded on quality, affordability, and “Trust in the Almighty.”
She said the Book of Life (Bible) has been her guiding tool to succeed, more than following the “how to’s” in different business books.
The company has gained sales drive through “word of mouth” advertising and to this date continues to increase its market share.Despite the rising costs on ingredients, Ong sees to it that quality is not compromised through the help of her own research and development team.
Ong also operates with a strong people philosophy. She believes that employees must be well taken cared of as they take care of your business in return.
She also invests in staff training on customer service and professionalism. The company supports a rehabilitation center and is active in various Christian activities.
Ong is a member of the Cebu Realtors Board, Cebu Gospel Church, and is a board member of Guidelines, a non-profit Christian organization involved in radio programs and publications.
Ng hopes that through this successful venture, many women entrepreneur or would-be entrepreneurs will be inspired by her story and success in business. – Ehda Dagooc