Entrepreneur leaves corporate world for startup food venture

CEBU, Philippines - Although she could have been contented with her substantial monthly compensation in the corporate world, a 26-year old risk-taker dared to venture into a start-up food enterprise, banking on her networking and interpersonal skills to reach out to her target market.

Krishna Jenn Suganob, a resident of BC Homes, Lahug, Cebu City, gained the courage to put up her own business and leave her easygoing life of being a mere employee of a company.

She desired to establish an avenue for her 55-year old mother, Mommy Naomi “Badz”, wherein the latter could showcase and share her best recipes and appetizing dishes to the public.

With an initial investment of P50,000, Suganob put up “BADZGET Meal”, a home-cooked food business venture that primarily offers budget packed meals. 

With one month of operations, she said that the market has been positively responsive. She cited that she received 4,500 orders of packed meals in her first month.

She said that among her network of customers that are mostly comprised of government agencies and private companies, the Department of Social Welfare and Services of the Cebu City government which serves to victims of natural calamities and fire has been her major client to date.

Her menu that is good for breakfast, lunch and dinner includes a variety of home-cooked dishes such as chicken guisado, pork guisado, chopsuey, ground pork and pancit canton as the specialty dish among others.

A styropacked meal that costs from P65 to P80 is already composed of a main dish, a side dish and a cup of rice paired with a bottled water or juice as beverage.

Suganob was previously hired as a representative for Smart Telecommunications in Mactan Cebu International Airport for four years and then worked as a supervisor and training officer for Plantation Bay Resort and Spa for two years.

She said that her experience in the corporate world significantly helped her to deal with existing and would-be clients and address their concerns.

“I believe that the skills I have practiced over the years in those companies contributed to how we ensure to provide customer satisfaction and impeccable service to our clientele,” she said.

The amiable sole proprietor is a graduate of Bachelor of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Cebu - Banilad Campus.

Suganob admitted that she has to undergo self-education on how to run and operate a business.

She ensures her hands-on management in her business, taking responsibility for sales, marketing and quality assurance.

Before, she used to receive salary from her employer. Now, she pays monthly compensation to her two employees and help her family with their daily needs.

She added that she feels more secured and satisfied with her present source of revenue, admitting that she earns more of what she used to receive from being an employee.

Despite all the risks that she has to handle on her own, she said that she did not regret venturing into a start-up enterprise, adding that she is even enjoying the time of her life as an entrepreneur who continuously finds new markets and meet the expectations of the existing ones.

Acknowledged for her friendliness and open-mindedness, Suganob noted that a successful entrepreneur needs to be results-oriented, good-natured and disciplined at work.

Citing that there is a strong market for food businesses, she said that BADZGET Meal banks on affordability and value for money amid the competition.

Suganob then advised aspiring start-up capitalists to be well-versed with what the market needs and be flexible with the trends at present.

“Before venturing into the industry, be sure you have gained the right knowledge on the business you want to pursue and you have carefully studied the market you will serve,” she stated. 

Currently, Suganob is renting a space in Grab ‘N Go Convenience Store at Sanson Road in Lahug for her food stall that serves as a display store and eatery for her walk-in customers.

She plans to put up her own restaurant that would cater to the middle-income and working class while sustaining her business of budget packed meals. /JOB (FREEMAN)