Mori Notes: Empowering moms one barangay at a time

Having hailed from a family of seamstresses, Remedios Condes thought she would take up the profession of her mother or grandmother. But instead of clothes, bags, and accessories, she sews rags and potholders.

It's not what she dreamed of, but it helps pay the bills for a family of five.

But last year, Ate Remi got her second chance to be a ‘real’ seamstress thanks to a social enterprise.

Mori Notes transforms recycled materials into eye-catching handmade journals, wallets, purses, and so on and so forth.
 
“Bukod sa financial na tulong, nagkaroon ako ng lakas ng loob sa pananahi,” the 39-year-old told GMA News Online in an interview. She earns less than P100 a day making rags, but P1,500 to P2,000 on a good week with her work at Mori Notes.
 
Although Ate Remi seemed like a serious person, she never failed to smile whenever her products were spoken of, gladly sharing the difficulties in making each piece. She reminisced on finishing a dressmaking course but being unable to practice upon entering family life.
 
Apart from work, Ate Remi, together with other mothers from her neighborhood in Brgy. Apolonio Samsom at Quezon City received their sewing training from workshops organized by Mori Notes. 

“Masaya po talaga ako sa ginagawa ko ngayon. Sa umpisa mahirap, pero gusto ko talagang matuto. ‘Pag may bago kaming pattern, hindi talaga ako makatulog hangga’t hindi ko natututunan. Hindi ako gumigive-up,” she said.  

But what was a second chance for Ate Remi’s career was also redemption for Mori notes’ owner and founder Mitzi Uy.

Fulfilling a childhood dream

Mitzi had just quit her corporate job and taken a break from studying her Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship when she started Mori Notes last year. She then spent most of her time, free of work and study, writing in her journal during her "soul searching" period.

Aside from writing, she also started creating journals from recycled materials. What began as simply giving her friends handmade journals soon grew into products she sold over Facebook.

"Nakita ko na may potential," Mitzi told GMA News Online in an interview. In a stroke of luck, she met some people from the group "Sikap Buhay," which connects entrepreneurs to a workforce consisting mainly of people from communities.

"Naisip ko we can tap them [mothers] to create good, quality products. We can help moms one barangay at a time," she said.

Mori Notes began with one resident seamstress—Ate Remi.

Currently, they employ four mothers in producing their handicrafts.

The 27-year-old hands-on owner of Mori Notes also spearheaded the design and marketing aspect of the business. Gleefully, she shared how Mori Notes fulfilled her childhood dream to do a business on arts and crafts while helping other people.

"Kung ano ang hilig mo noong bata ka, fulfill it," Mitzi shared with an engaging smile. "Kung 'yung first try mo ay hindi maganda, try and try until you find your niche."

“When I was in the corporate world, I wanted to do something more. I wanted to market products that I [was] passionate about," she added.

Teamwork

Although the company is only a year old, Mitzi noted that her P60,000 capital doubled within a year of operation. The secret, she shared, was teamwork.

"Masinop din sila. They’re also helping me. They have stayed loyal and they save on materials," she noted.

Being a social entrepreneur is not an excuse to provide low-quality goods, she noted, citing that their products’ multipurpose design drives the expansion of Mori Notes. Knowing that the company is a social enterprise also adds value.
 
"It taught us na hindi dapat bara-bara ang paggawa. Hindi dahil handmade, hindi na siya mukhang machine-made," she shared. "We don’t like pity buys."

Aside from exporting their product, Mitzi said she wants to open their own retail store soon.

For her part, Ate Remi explained that she stayed as a seamstress for Mori Notes because of her good and supporting relationship with her co-workers and employer, aside from the monetary rewards.

Furthermore, Ate Remi noted how Mitzi addressed their concerns and suggestions on the products.

“Hindi sila parang katulad ng iba [na employer], hindi puro pagkita ang iniisip nila. Parang family talaga ang turingan namin dito,” she said.

Mori Notes’ products include a Pursebook (purse with a journal), P490; a Multipurpose holder, P145; and a Dual zip (wallet with card holder), P380. Upcoming items: iPad case and tote bags.

Their products available at National Bookstore, Powerbooks, DLSU-Manila bookstore, and Ecostore. They can also be ordered online. — VC, GMA News