Around GMA

Article Inside Page

Running a business can be both gratifying and challenging.

Managing people, pleasing customers, continuously innovating to stay relevant, and keeping track of the competition--it's all in a day's work for any entrepreneur.

Last year, however, presented an unprecedented obstacle for businesses as COVID-19 plowed through the economy, affecting the livelihood of many.

In the past months, we've seen establishments fold as the pandemic took its toll financially on small and big businesses.

Some ventures, however, continue to soldier on and find ways to adapt to the difficult situation we're in.

With that in mind, we speaks to four entrepreneurs to know more about their business and how they managed to cope through turbulent times.

Jeffrey Jimenez, Emo.TEA.ra Café

Photo by: Emoteara Café (FB)

This milk tea café was co-founded by Jeffrey after his 11-year stint as a chef in Saudi Arabia.

Business was good until COVID-19 struck and halted Emo.TEA.ra's momentum.

“When the whole world was shut down because of the pandemic, I didn't feel like just staying at home and do nothing,” Jeffrey told GMA Lifestyle.

The business marched forward and has impressively increased its store outlets in a time when the economic climate was foggy.

“I offered the business to my friends and family because I want to help them also,” explained Jeffrey.

“This pandemic brought a lot of challenges in the business. But I told myself that I will not stop because I have good intention for starting this business--to help people especially my family and friends.”

Mark Floyd Bilang, Mark & Grace Bakeshop

Photo by: Mark & Grace Bakeshop (FB)

Opened in May 2017, the business started “as a small pandesalan” with a lean team of a baker and a sales staff.

It soon added other bakery staples including Spanish bread, pan de coco, and monay while continuously innovating to make their products stand out.

“Eventually customers began to like the distinct softness and taste of our dough and fillings,” said Mark Floyd Bilang.

Mark & Grace Bakeshop soon moved from a humble stand to a full bakeshop with two branches and a new one to open next month.

“Since we don't have a background in baking, we operated on countless trial and error at the start,” Mark recalled.

“We studied and observed the art of bread making. We soon figured out how the ingredients are best put together.

“We also encountered staffing problems. Staff come and go whenever they decide to leave. So we came up with a system that is not fully staffed dependent.

“Initial capital also became our problem but we thank a few friends who helped and trusted us. We have paid them already in full after three months.”

Mark advised budding entrepreneurs to “work hard, pray harder,” and study their desired business carefully.

“Learn from other people, read books, listen to helpful resources online. Improve and innovate your product. Treat your staff and customers well. Pray always and seek wisdom from the Lord.”

Jeff Sy, 24 Chicken

Photo by: 24chickenph (IG)

Launched in 2017 in Leon Guinto in Manila, 24 Chicken now has 13 branches scattered around Metro Manila and Davao.

Its specialty: Good quality and budget-friendly Korean fried chicken.

“The pandemic has been very challenging for us as some of our stores have dine-in spaces which now have been limited to takeout and delivery,” shared Jeff.

“But we focused on making an extra effort in being available online and through third-party apps, which have helped us sustain the sales of some of our branches.

“Our growth has become slower but we have grown more resilient and learned to act fast to the demand of our customers.”

Jeff recalls a quote from Alibaba founder Jack Ma, something that should be remembered by every entrepreneur.

“When there is a problem, there is an opportunity,” Jeff mused.

“Opportunities always exist where people complain. Businesses should always focus on solving people's problems.”

Ronnie Fernandez, Yumzie

Photo by: yumzie_store (IG)

People on the go love food that are simple to prepare and readily available. This is the concept that drives Yumzie--a food kiosk business that serves dim sums, fries, and milk and fruit teas.

“We humbly started in June 2018. My business partner, Jenalyn Malabanan Coronado, offered me to buy the fries that she was selling. Without any hesitation, I asked her if we can do business with the products she was selling,” Ronnie looked back.

Armed with a business plan and a modest capital, Yumzie opened its first branch on Valero Street in Makati City.

“I was not hesitant to take the risk and potentially lose my money because I was driven to help my father who was sick at the time.”

Ronnie recalled manning the store daily from 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.

On top of that, he was doing all inventory and stocks monitoring, and sales report.

The COVID-19 situation posed another challenge to the young food business.

“Our third branch was opened on March 16, 2020, the exact date when the president declared Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila.

“We bought several stocks already so that means we're poised to lose investment money. We closed our store for 15 days and came back for business, with me fearing every day that I might catch the virus.”

All the hard work proved to be worth it and Yumzie is gearing up to open its fourth branch within the Makati Central Business District in March.

As a parting shot, Ronnie offers a nugget of advice for those who are thinking of starting a business.

“Venturing into business is a game of chance and luck. You will regret it soon if you procrastinate your business plans.

“Online selling is now popular and you can get all your customers and clients from Facebook groups that are selling items.

“Remember also that don't be afraid of losing your investment because all successful businessmen experienced bankruptcy and failure in some way.

“Work hard so that you will soon earn the fruits of your labor. There's no such thing as an overnight success, you have to fall several times to succeed.”

Incidentally, these four restaurants were recently cited by the mobile food delivery platform, FoodPanda, for its pandawards.

The award salutes the resiliency of food establishments in the face of unfavorable economic conditions.

These awards were the Summa Cum Panda Award (24 Chicken), Sarap na Binabalik-balikan Award (Mark & Grace Bakeshop), Go Forth and Multiply Award (EmoTEAra Café), Diskartepreneur Award (Jackson's Fried Chicken), and Juan for All, All for Juan Award (Yumzie).

The awards were delivered straight to the winners in their outlets with G Who and Zyberus of Filipino beatbox group Microphone Mechanics disguised as delivery riders surprising the owners.