Encouraging millennials to run own business

MANILA, Philippines — If you think millennials do not give much thought about their future, particularly their financial state, then think again. Puregold Price Club senior marketing manager Ivy Charice Piedad has observed that Filipino young millennials are beginning to focus their interest on venturing into business that can help them become financially stable.  

That’s why, one of the goals of this year’s Puregold’s KAINdustriya program is to introduce entrepreneurship to today’s youth by teaching them the ABCs of running a food business.

According to Ivy, the KAINdustriya program was conceived six years ago but the yearly convention only started in 2014 following the success of Tindahan Ni Aling Puring, Puregold’s flagship program for sari-sari store owners. “We noticed that the members of Tindahan Ni Aling Puring had amazingly grown in numbers because even the owners of carinderias, restaurants, catering services and food stalls wanted to join. So, we put up the KAINdustriya which is solely devoted to food businesses.”   

Through the yearly convention, Puregold supports food microentrepreneurs and small-medium enterprises and at the same time encourages a new breed of entrepreneurs. 

“Apart from our goal of gaining more members, we want to introduce entrepreneurship, especially to millennials. ‘Di ba gusto nila yung grupo-grupo sila na magtatayo ng business and usually they put up food stalls (selling) shawarma, tacos and milk tea. More students showed interest in our program when we went to different schools for an interschool food business contest. So this year, we are again holding KAIN U: An Interschool Food Business Competition for college students who have a flair for business and impressive business proposals. ”

KAINtrepreneur contenders Jan Kian Mendoza, Jenny Rodriguez, Jirven Canar, Robert Reyes, Maria Teresa Guerero, Jefferson Cruz Mendoza, Joebel Rosal, Carmelita Parulan, Amelia Sunga, Jay Jay Brinoza during the media presentation at Luk Foo in Puregold QI

Finalists of KAIN U will have a chance to make their business plan a reality as they will set up booths to sell their original products during the two-day convention. Puregold also commissioned celebrity chef Kennedy Alfonso, Liquedo Maestro consultant and Agimat proprietor Kalel Demetrio and business coach Euclid Cezar as members of KAINdustriya Council that will serve as mentors.

With the theme Ang Panalong Sangkap for Success, this year’s convention will also kickstart Puregold’s promotion of its wide range of beverage and alcoholic drinks with Mix Masters: Flairtending and Mixing Competition. 

“We really want the participants to learn and for the winners to help them set up their business. With the Mix Masters, we want to encourage amateur bar tenders and mixologists not only get their ingredients from Puregold but more on helping them if they want to start a business kasi meron na din tayong mga mobile bars ngayon.” In fact, a mobile bar awaits the grand winner.

Those who are already into the food business but are aiming higher can join in KAINtrepreneur. The grand prize of P120,000 worth of groceries will take their business to the next level.

 (Participants for the competitions are welcome to register until today. Elimination round will be on Sept. 11 at Puregold QI Central.)