Successful entrepreneurs

A few years ago a lady named Rowena, carrying a box of buko tarts, knocked on our door and convinced us to try them. She had just opened a pasalubong store along the highway leading to Tagaytay. The tarts were good, the pastry soft and flaky, the filling flavorful, the price reasonable. We found out later that the shop has already captured quite a lot of motorists. We visited her occasionally, at one time discovering that her little store has become a restaurant, offering traditional dishes like nilagang baka and kare-kare. Her coffee was strong, as expected from a place near the coffee centers.

Her line has expanded, the tarts now have different fillings, among them ube. The racks have been stacked with items not only from the Philippines, but other parts of the region. It has been turned into a one-stop shop where sauces, seasonings, chichiria, etc., are available. Then the indefatigable Rowena decided to go farther and offer her sukis much more.

A day after Christmas, our family decided to stop by Rowena’s on our way back from the Highlands. We were not actually prepared for a huge surprise – Rowena’s has become much bigger, showing how successful this lady entrepreneur has become. The once-little store is still there, but the place has become a complex with a restaurant building she calls a Pavilion where travelers can have their meals or even hold bigger events like wedding receptions and other special occasions. There is a swimming pool at the back and a chapel built by the lady in gratitude for the graces she has received. Indeed, with perseverance and by maintaining the quality of what she offers, she is one successful entrepreneur. Call 0920-9080318. 

Another lady we met (and who won) at a baking/cooking contest sometime in the past, Joyce, with her husband Ted, has gone into a profitable food business they call Chef Ahoy! Patisserie Et Al, offering a collection labelled home-baked temptations. We saw them recently at the new Soderno Weekend Market in the Molito compound in Alabang. The lady has innovated on the brownies by making them healthier with the flavors of selected vegetables. Delicious. Cell no. 0917-4913361.

Mike and Banj compose the husband and wife team behind the successful Creative Definitions, producing some of the most exquisite home decors done in bone china, calados, laser cut woodworks, mosaic art works, woven abaca paper items, woven coco collection and Paperview handmade greeting cards. Find them in Soderno, as well, and at the Legaspi Sunday Market. Call 820-7626. 

A budding entrepreneur is a young housewife in Parañaque who now bakes goodies not only to give to family and friends but also to sell to those who love sweets. She calls her atelier Len’s Kitchen from which comes the selection consisting of the creamiest leche flan (P170), authentic flaky ensaymadas (P45 per or P270 for six and P540 for 12), apple pie at P700 and blueberry cheesecake at P800.

But entrepreneurs do not rest on their laurels. They go into different avenues to expand, to offer more, to meet more customer needs. Such is the trio of Chit, Reena, and Jeannie who recently opened the Echomarket, right beside where their Echostore is in Serendra. If a homemaker is pressed for time or simply want to get specific items, this is the no-hassle place to go.

They’ve got fresh herbs, dill, flat leaf parsley, rosemary from P53 to P65 per pack; salad greens, arugula, red lettuce, romaine from P75 to P80 for 200 gms; longganiza, gourmet food from Comida Rica including a variety of dressings and dips, smoked bangus and chicken inasal paté (P245 a bottle), even inasal grilling oil and marinade.

This group of entrepreneurs is in good company in many regions of the country. Join them. Entrepreneurship is satisfying and fulfilling.

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