How to start a munchkin business

CEBU, Philippines - Reasons of embracing entrepreneurship or having the keen interest to generate extra income could vary from one person to another: it could be to help parents in the family expenses, to pay off school fees or simply becoming your own boss. Whatever the reason may be, it doesn't really take one to be a rocket scientist to become an entrepreneur and it doesn't have to be expensive.

There are a lot of small-scale businesses that only requires minimal capital, however needs a good amount of  hardwork, patience, and perseverance to succeed.

One particular easy-on-the-budget business is selling munchkins. But before we talk about how to make munchkins, here's an inspiring story about a working scholar who was able to make ends meet through her munchkin business.

Nineteen-year old Maedelyn Gilig, an Engineering student, decided to sell munchkins to supplement the P400 allowance that she gets from her scholarship.

She said that even with her scholarship, she really felt the need for her to step up and find ways to earn her own income not only for her school needs but also to support her family. Her father is a construction worker and her mother is a housewife.

Admitting to herself that entrepreneurship is something she is not really good at, Maedelyn said she considered it as a challenge to discover her creativity and passion for selling, and today she is grateful for having succeeded. 

With the help of her family, she makes 2,000 pieces of munchkins every day. These are sold in her school and to their neighbors in Lapu-Lapu City.

She started with P300 as capital and at first try she was able to produce 180 pieces of munchkins and sold them at P2 each, gaining P360 at the end of the day. She allocates  the  P300 for her expenses on ingredients and saves up her earnings.

Later on, when the demand of the products increased she hired eight students to be her sellers to reach a wider market allowing more teachers, employees and students to buy. She supplies 150-250 pieces for each seller and gives them 20% of what they earn.

In two weeks, she said her return of investments would reach P2,000 to  P3,000.

From her P300 capital and five months since she started her business, Maedelyn is now proud to say that through her munchkin selling business, she was able to buy a second-hand personal computer and two pigs that her parents can raise.

Entrepreneurship professor HitutuaneYounglin said small-scale businesses give a person the opportunity to express their creativity, manage resources and face and overcome challenges giving a sense of accomplishment in doing something good.

She however warned that some businesses may be prone to risks and possibilities of failure. Younglin advised aspiring entrepreneurs to consider the following before entering the industry: the target market, marketability and prize of the product and, most importantly, the attitude towards the task.

The family's next challenge is to further expand their business--"it's a tough endeavor"--which Maedelyn said would allow them to discover the fortune in small ventures.

Maedelyn  shared to The Freeman Business the process and tips in making simple home-made munchkins. A lot of desserts need a long time to make but, the family says, making munchkins only requires less than an hour to prepare--though it depends on the quantity.

Let's take a look at the following easy and doable steps:

1. Prepare the ingredients: Finely crushed Ace or Grahams crackers, condensed milk, water, marshmallows and dessicated coconut.

2. Prepare other essentials such as a bowl and a large spoon, plastic gloves, apron and hairnet to ensure sanitation.

3. Pour condensed milk on the crushed crackers until it becomes  mushy and sticky. Add milk a little at a time and mix. Blend well, keep adding sweetened milk until achieving the desired stickiness and moisture --not too dry and not too wet. If the mixture gets too sweet, add a small amount of water.

4. When you achieve the perfect mixture, form a small ball and put marshmallows inside the ballas filling.

5. Roll your munchkin balls into the dessicated coconut. Best chilled before serving/selling. (FREEMAN)