Go Negosyo awards Iloilo's pride

MANILA, Philippines – Waffle Time offers customers freshly baked waffles in a cart, with a wide selection of fillings to choose from.

Now with more than 400 outlets nationwide, Waffle Time started as a simple business venture in September 1998 with a single outlet at The Atrium Mall in Iloilo City.

Johnny Que began this business with the aim of reinventing the waffle as a delicious, nutritious and affordable snack.

In 2002, Waffle Time entered Metro Manila’s competitive market and Johnny had to adapt to the new market.

Buoyed by the unexpectedly positive response, Johnny also opened outlets in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Dagupan. Waffle Time now also has eight branches in Indonesia, which is part of their plan to penetrate the Asia Pacific region.

During their initial expansion, Waffle Time personnel were intensively trained. Johnny also studied strategic locations to capture target markets.

Two years later, the business opened its door to franchising.

Soon, Waffle Time outlets mushroomed all over the country and became known as one of the fastest growing business ventures.

The people behind Waffle Time believe that the business grew because of the standards upheld by the company. They consider competitive pricing as one of their advantages, ensuring that customers get their money’s worth.

Waffle Time personnel also undergo continuous training and the company provides them with development programs to improve their skills.

As Waffle Time continues to expand, Johnny also emphasizes the importance of the technical aspects of the business, such as continuous research and development, strong brand image, business strategies and work ethic.

Like other businesses, Waffle Time is also facing the problem of increasing costs of raw materials, fuel and labor.

But Johnny says the company has found effective ways to save costs.

Waffle Time has also launched a “School Package Franchise” that is limited to locations inside schools. This paclkage caters to entrepreneurs searching for lower investment costs.

Johnny’s Waffle Time was recognized as the Most Promising Franchise, Fastest Growing Franchise and Best in Franchising Support by Entrepreneur Magazine Philippines 2008 Franchise Awards.

Johnny’s advice to young and aspiring entrepreneurs: “Dare to dream. You have to work hard, even if you have to work 24/7, to make that dream a reality.”

Micro-finance institution

Leaving his banking career on Oct. 1, 1986, Angel de Leon joined one of the country’s largest micro-finance institutions, the Taytay sa Kauswagan, Inc. or (TSKI).

TSKI is a non-stock, non-profit Christian development organization involved in poverty alleviation by creating opportunities for livelihood to the poor through microfinance.

As executive director of TSKI, Angel was responsible for the registration of the organization with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with an initial capital of P2,500, and organizing the office for its start-up operations.

TSKI was then only involved in a single program called the Micro Enterprise Development Program (MEDP), an individual lending program that assists the poor in Iloilo.

To date, Taytay sa Kauswagan has total resources of P1.73 billion serving 231,346 poor micro entrepreneurs.

It also has a livelihood loan portfolio of around P950 billion.

TSKI now operates 92 branches covering the whole of the Visayas Region, Western Mindanao and some parts of Southern Tagalog, and has 1,864 full-time staff.

With the help of Angel, TSKI has developed and implemented seven major programs that address the different needs of the poor.

These are group loans, housing loans, multipurpose loans, renewable energy and agricultural loans, a community base enterprise program, a micro insurance that would cover life and health care, and a value chain of business development services.

The institution provides a wide array of services including marketing, production, finance, organization and management, product development and technology assistance.  

TSKI has also established a microfinance oriented thrift bank called Kauswagan Bank, which now has 11 branches, a training center for micro-entrepreneurs and other microfinance institutions, a microbiological laboratory, and a packaging and design center.

Through the years, Angel has developed TSKI’s advocacy in extending help to those who are in need. TSKI has been awarded several citations for its accomplishments, such as the PCFC Visayas flagship partner, Pioneering MFI in Hard-to-reach Areas Award, the first MFI to reach 100,000 clients, “2005 Ulirang Kabalikat Award,” Most Outstanding MFI given by PCFC, and the 2007 Urban leadership Award in Microfinance given by the Canadian Urban Institute.

Angel has created a bridge to success for those who lack access, opportunity and support. He has laid the foundations to enable TSKI to play a crucial role in entrepreneurship development.

Awardees

Johnny Que was given the Most Inspiring Ilonggo Entrepreneur Award and Angel de Leon the Most Inspiring Entrepreneur–Special Award yesterday at the Go Negosyo sa Iloilo, the latest leg of the continuing Go Negosyo campaign spearheaded by Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. Concepcion III, at the Rose Memorial Auditorium, Central Philippine University, Iloilo City.

Go Negosyo sa Iloilo is presented by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with Iloilo Business Club Chairman Antonio Jon, DTI Region VI Director Dominic Abad and TSKI president De Leon.

Go Negosyo sa Iloilo will be graced by Presidential Management Staff Secretary Cerge Remonde, also the chairman of the Cabinet Oversight Committee for MSME Development.

Member agencies will also be present to reach out to participants.

Awardees were endorsed by the Iloilo Business Club, Micro Finance Council of the Philippines, and TSKI.

Go Negosyo sa Iloilo is also made possible with major partners Iloilo Business Club, PLDT SME Nation, Smart Communications, Globe Business, Condura, RFM Corp., Ariel, Entrepreneurs School of Asia, and San Miguel Corp.

Go Negosyo also thanks its corporate partners Splash Corp., V-cargo, Kettle Korn, and Iloilo Supermart; media partners The Philippine STAR, GMA 7, QTV 11, Philippine Daily Inquirer, ASPAC-LAW, Full Circle Communications, Select Media, Creativevoices, Idealminds, ABS-CBN Iloilo, MOR For Life! Iloilo, GMA Iloilo, Super Radyo Iloilo, and Campus Radio Iloilo; venue partners Central Philippine University and Amigo Terrace Hotel; government partners The President’s Social Fund, Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee – Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Department of Trade and Industry, Iloilo Provincial Government, and Iloilo City Government; other partners Ateneo de Manila University Graduate School of Business – Center for Continuing Education, Bennch Transport Services and Rent A Car and F & E Enterprises.