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Weekly Blog Interview

8th Week By: Wyeth Tadena

Merchandising is the presentation and promotion of goods that are available for purchase for both wholesale and retail sales.

She is Helen Boli-Boli, the owner of wholesaling and retailing merchandise.

The background of her business is she starts small like small grocery a sari-sari store her capital back then is 5000 pesos and as time goes by she decided to upgrade her business into a bigger one. She has been in a business for almost 18 years. A type of business she is in is a wholesaler and retailer merchandising. Her approach in making sales is that if they are in an urban place like barangay you need to observe what people mostly their needs and wants in their daily basis.

The problem and challenges she encountered is during these pandemic is the price increase. The benefit of having this kind of business is it is their source of income, where they get their daily needs and wants, paid tuition fees, bills, and etc. After all these years she still pursue this kind of business because they are no other source of income.

"In starting a business start small, make your business balance with regards to your expenses and profit."

Week 8 (May 23-29)

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Weekly Blog Interview

7th Week By: Herry Edquila

Water refilling stations are facilities that are managed by private companies and entrepreneurs, intended to offer a convenient and cheaper solution to the drinking water needs than single purchases of bottled water or use of household water filters.

She is Mrs. Floreta Aquiatan 55 years old, the owner of AJS AQUAZONE WATER REFILLING STATION.

The background of her business is that this is the same business that she admire since she believe that it has a greater positive influence on Jasaan's municipality than any other. It guides her through rtw, calendar, food, and sari-sari shopping. A type of business she in is water refilling station. Actually, this store has been operating for 7 years. However, this store was not for her before. The main owner of this business is Rebecca Enriquez, and she has been operating for four years, after which time she sold her store and Ms. Florita bought it. It will have been three years since she served as to her term at that point. But the total number of years operating is seven. Her approach in making her business is she has no method in marketing her business thus she knows that water is life and is essential, then the people of Jasaan will need water every day.

Then this store is in a strategic location. Also, this store is well known because of its good service and affordable prices. The problem and challenges that she encountered upon starting the business is she has a lot of challenges outside of water interruption. But now it is okay. She also struggle sometimes because her competitors that sells at a low price, and they don't have to pay the taxes, unlike her because she is a tax payer. This is her one issue with her business, because the refilling stations in Jasaan are not united in offering a competitive price to customers. The benefits of doing her business is the income of her business is only for food and shelter since she don’t have children who are still studying in fact they are already professionally qualified now. What makes her want to persevere with this business is to help Jasaanon with their lives as well as their water needs.

"After all these years, she is thankful that her business is still operating because of God's will."

Week 7 (May 16-22)

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Weekly Blog Interview

6th Week By: Arianne Joy Galendez and Honey Jade Janubas

Hardware store are commercial establishment engaged primarily in the indoor sale of hardware and home maintenance and improvement supplies.

She is Ms. Carlette Esther Baculio the daughter of a Nikko Hardware business located at Molugan El Salvador Misamis Oriental.

The background of their business is that wayback 1995 her father is working abroad from Japan and they invested there. In abroad, her father work there as a construction worker and her father likes construction and hardwares supplies. In 1995, her mother gave birth to a baby boy and it was then they started there business and inspired through his father's work in Japan and they name their business as to the traditions of Japanese people to the family's first baby boy and as to their first son name Nikko and named their business as Nikko Hardware. They sell a lot of things related to construction, household materials and their type of business is a sole proprietorship. They have been in a business for almost twenty-eight years. Their own approach in making sales to their business is they never lie to the costumer because when they lie and promise those things customers then would expect to deliver on their promise and then if they dont deliver on their promise it will impact on their business because they would tell to other people and with that they dont use advertising thus they do a word of mouth and spreading rumors on their store would basically fail their business. Thus, they also don't overprice things and they rely on quantity over price of their items.

The problem and challenges that they encounter upon doing their business is on hiring people because according to her, mostly they don't know those people they hire. Eventually, they encountered a lot of people who takes their product like cement or even steal money. The benefit of their business is during pandemic they got their advantages on it because a lot of supplier tend to buy their products for renovation or buy household constructions. What makes them persevere after all these years is that their business is now their source of income as their parents getting old they can't go back as a government worker and their motivational factor is staying in the business for survival and providing for their family.

"In starting a business start small because when you start small thats what you can cut on your losses, as you dont invest a lot so you dont lose a lot and make sure what your client wants."

Week 6 (May 9-15)

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Weekly Blog Interview

5th Week By: Honey Jade Janubas

Food business ideas never go out of style as everybody needs to eat, several times a day. That’s why starting a business centered on food can be a truly rewarding enterprise.

She is Mrs. Susie Lanozo, a business owner of a essential small scale business particularly in lunch meals food and drinks.

According to her, she start her business because she was inspired by her friend to sell some. So, at first her friend sells a snack foods in a government canteen like cassava cake, banana cake etc. she then the one who deliver but unfortunately her friend decided to stop selling the business for some reason then she was persuade to pursue this kind of business she is in then, up until now she sells foods like lunch meals for people in government office thus she is the regular viand seller of Deped and CHED region 10. She's been in the business for almost eleven years.

Her strategy in making sales is entertaining the customer well and she deliver or mobile her foods to government offices with a different menu everyday so that the customer will not get used to the foods that she sells. The problem that she encounter upon doing the business is the competitor, at the time when there is a canteen already and the customers then buy there her earnings then got low but she doesnt give up she still pursue her business because she still has her regular customer. The benefit that she got from the business is for her family as they got their daily needs, her children takes to school because of this, she can also buy things and appliances and etc.

After all these years she still stay to the business it because her children is not yet finish and she has no other source of income who would support for her family.

"We enjoy the process, not just the outcome of our endeavors. And we remain flexible and can adjust our standards and goals as needed."

Week 5 (March 28-Apr 3)

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Weekly Blog Interview

5th Week By: Arianne Galendez

Buko juice, made from young coconut water, is a popular drink in tropical countries like the Philippines. It is a healthy alternative to sugary drinks and fizzy carbonated drinks, plus it is also readily available in most parts of the country.

She is Mrs. Salvacion Gomera a business owner of essential small scale business particularly a buko juice.

According to her, she come up to this kind of business in the first place its because it is the basic and its easy to sell. She share to us that before, they have their stall on public school canteen particularly in MOGCHS thus pandemic happens then they decided to have their stall near church here at St. Augustine chapel, Cdo their strategy in making sales is they put up their business in a public place which has many people especially after mass buy their essential food for covering up.

She's been in the business for almost twenty years selling buko juice. She always entertain customers in order to make sales. The problem that she encounter upon doing the business is in starting the capital itself is very hard to get thus she needed to lend some money in order to put up a business like this before and also this pandemic has a big impact to her because the roll of her money is difficult and its hard to cover up to their daily expenses. Upon doing this business the benefit she gets are she buys their personal motorcycle to ride, appliances at home and they have mini elf.

After all these years she still pursue to this kind of business because it is easy for her to sell, she is also used to it and the money is visible.

"The secret of your success is determined by your daily agenda."

Week 5 (March 28-April 3)

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Weekly Blog Interview

5th Week By: Herry Edquila

Starting a cellphone accessory business can be highly profitable and highly competitive. In addition to cellphone franchises selling accessories, independent stores and kiosks are located in many malls and other public areas.

She is Mrs. Sonia Balacuit, a 52 years old a business owner of a small scale business particularly in mobile accessories.

According to her, she started her business in order to provide for their daily needs and for the education of her children, especially for their school allowance as well as their uniform and books. A type of business she is in is mobile accessories business where she is selling the phone accessories and some other parts. She started this business in 2018 and it’s been almost 4 years since she started doing this business. Her approach in making sales is on the way to sell her products is by making them comfortable, such as being good to them and sincere about what you are doing like do not lie to them.

The problem that she encounter upon doing the business is when she first started this business, she is struggling with how it was growing and how to keep it running because she have no plans to go into business and she is not interested because she has no idea how to start-up on her own. Her benefits from doing this business are that she can provide a good education to her children and she built her own house with the help of God. She then will continue to do this business because of the difficult lives we lead today and to sustain their daily needs and wants.

After all these years, she realize that she should give importance to her business not because of profits but because of how many people she have been given a good service and helped.

"Determination is very important because it enables us to persist in the face of difficulties. It makes us to march fearlessly ahead with faith until we achieve our goal."

Week 5 (March 28-Apr 3)

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WEEKLY BLOG INTERVIEW

4TH WEEK By: Wyeth Tadena

Chilli garlic sauce is a very common ingredient that is a very highly flavored sauce in Chinese as well as other Asian cooking. 

She is Ms. Princess Ranoco a business owner of Chilli Garlic sauce.

The background of her business why she started this is she inspired by her peer where she wants to earn money while she is still studying and a student. Her business is chilli garlic sauce, well she knew that it was delicious enough to start a small home-based business. Because she believes that every Filipino household likes to have spicy dipping sauce with their meals especially to muslim people. Her approach in making sales to her business is posting it online on social medias and connect it to many people as much as she can.

The orders kept coming one after another due to positive feedback from those who have tried it. And a lot of people have told her that her product has the right balance of taste of the garlic and chili. The price as well is also very reasonable. The problem that she encountered upon starting this business is there are a lot of competitors online. The challenge that she encounter is the overworking where her business requires too much effort and time as well as between her studies and the business.

She still stayed after all these years its been quite successful in her business because there are customers who kept on buying her business and it satisfies her a lot for the customers love of spice that pursue her to still continue to this kind of business.

"Small businesses start with something you really enjoy, or with something you need to change or improve on, it was her love for spicy food that urged her to shift to her passion."

Week 4 (March 21-27)

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WEEKLY BLOG INTERVIEW

4TH WEEK By: Honey Jade Janubas

Baked goods offer customers convenience and affordability, and the growing demand has led to a lot of home-bakers and chefs venturing into the bakery business.

She is Ms. Kyle Lanzar a food business owner particularly in pastries.

She started this kind of business because she don't want that her allowance got stucked and buy nonsense things thus, she wanted to grow the money and then she decided to build up a small online food business at her young age. She sells munchkins first then macaroons and now she baked cakes and cupcakes, leche flan and many more for a particular event. A type of business she is in is a sole proprietorship and a food business particularly in bread and pastries. She has been in this business for almost five years.

Her approach in making sales is through posting it on social medias especially facebook because of her friends to friends. The problem that she encountered first is in baking cakes when she is using a boild icing which would easily melt when not in frost, then the design at first is well but when it comes to delivery specially she deliver it through riding in a motorcycle so when delivered, there's a little bit of damage to the product which is the icing got melted. So, then she decided to have her alternatives which is the whipping cream which makes it more stable and its consistency in doing so. The challenge also on her part is on the customers which they demand more yet they beg to lower the price of the product and it doesn't make sense on her part because she might be losing her business.

The benefits that she had on her business is the money it gaves to her, also it sustain to their family needs and wants and she buys some of her baking tools and equipment for her food business. She still stay after all these years because she enjoy, it is her passion into pastries and of the positive feedback she received from all of the customers she had that makes her heart flattered and what makes her pursue more to the business for her regular customer.

"Just stay in line and always be mindful as you invest to any business firm."

Week 4 (March 21-27)

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WEEKLY BLOG INTERVIEW

4TH WEEK By: Arianne Galendez

These days, many people are trying to eat more healthy foods, including fresh fruit and vegetables. Selling fruits is an enterprise as old as time.

She is Ms. Lorraine Navo the daughter of the business owner Mrs. Juvy Navo of a fruit stand particularly mangoes and papayas.

She told us that the background of their business is since her mom did not pursue any profession due to lack of financial support she do business on her own and their ways on her business is that someone would supply them fruits and deliver it to them. A type of business they had is sole proprietorship, where she own it by herself. They had been in the business for almost twenty-seven years. Their approach in making sales to the customers is being kind, polite, always be good and entertain them as much as you can and also create an appealing and bountiful display.

The problem they encountered upon starting up to this business is the capital where her mom lend money from other people just to build and make this business. The challenges that they encounter is the recent problem to this pandemic where the mangoes are being sold to them with a high price and their income got low due to people who don't go outside because of the lockdowns. Because of this business they buy furnitures for their house as well as motorcycle.

After all these years they still stay from this business because they are not yet successful and through this business her mom can prove and tell to them someday that because of this business she sustains their needs and wants for her family.

"There is absolutely nothing that you can control except showing up and doing your job." - Tituss Burgess

Week 4 (March 21-27)

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WEEKLY BLOG INTERVIEW

3RD WEEK By: Wyeth Tadena

For our week three we decided to interview a business owner of a sari-sari store. Sari-sari stores are a staple in Filipino culture. It’s a business venture that’s easy to manage and doesn’t need a large capital to start from, which makes it a viable source of income for housewives and homeowners alike.

He is Mr. Jerremie Cinco, a sari sari store owner.

According to him, the background of his business why he start is that his family wants to earn more than the income that they have from their respective profession. He also want to sustain more than the basic needs and continue his passion in business.

A type of business he had is a retail store, a buy and sell. He has been a store owner for the past three years. His approach in making sales is first he would went to market his consumers and do online advertisement with powers of mouth. The problem that he encounter upon doing this business is his capital its been hard for him to invest a capital coming up to this kind of business as well as it is always hard to have a consistent customer.

The benefit and why he still stay for this kind of business is he earn extra aside from his salaries and the happiness it gaves that he can have despite struggles and trials.

The takeaways we can get to this is running a sari-sari store seems easy; however, it has its own set of risks and challenges familiar to any business owner. Those who operate these retail stores may or may not have the professional training but most of them have the same goal to generate income and sustain their means of living.

Week 3 (March 14-20)

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WEEKLY BLOG INTERVIEW

3RD WEEK By: Arianne Galendez

For our week three we decided to interview a business owner of a sari-sari store. A sari-sari stores are a convenient extension of a supermarket and an accessible outlet to source needs of a household on a daily basis. 

She is Ms. Cherrel Cinco Ecoben, a business owner of a small scale business particularly sari-sari store.

According to her, the background of her business is when she was a child she is used to sell products and this is where she find her motivation to have a business in the future and up until now. A type of business she had is a sari-sari store/partnership. She has been a store owner for the past twenty-four years. Her approach of sales in the business is the target location at which she had her store in street where public vehicles has an easy access to buy their goods and products and eventhough there is a low income but then there are a lot of people who would buy and it then gather them and still it would have been a high and visible profit.

The problem and challenges that she encountered in starting up on her business is the business permit that cost high and its capital although it is a partnership it still covers up the needs and wants for their business. What makes her persevere or stay to this kind of business is because she has no other income, she is not a worker and she will really put herself wholeheartedly to commit on this business. The benefit she had now is they establish a house and renovated it.

The takeaways we could take is it might be easy but it’s tougher than it looks. Without prior research, inadequate capital money, and lack of interest, and discipline one can’t help but paint a pessimistic outlook.

Week 3 (March 14-20)

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WEEKLY BLOG INTERVIEW

3RD WEEK By: Herry Edquila

Here in our country, Philippines you would see a lot of mini convenience stores or what we call sari-sari store in a particular neighborhood. Sari-sari from the repeated word sari means mix, so you would see a lot of different items. 

She is Mrs. Beberly Sanico, 44 years old. She is a business owner of a small scale business particularly a sari-sari store.

According to her, the background of her business is that before, she have no idea about the business, but because there's no income and can't satisfy there needs and want with a low salary of her husband, she and her husband decide to built a sari-sari store in order to sustain their daily expenses and we’ll provide the needs of their children. A type of business she own is a sari-sari store. Her best-selling products are cigarettes, soft drinks, junk foods, and can goods. Its been 7 years ago when she was started this kind of business. Her approach in making sales is all she have to do is to be patience to the customers, with a high perseverance in all consequences happen, be punctual in which she should wake-up early and open the store, and the most of all is Pray and seek to God and ask for her guidance at all times.

The problem and challenges that she encountered to her business is many people belittle at her that would bring her down, that they show you out of respect for the customers but she do her best to be patience. And many customers who committed to lend money but they’ll never pay later.

By doing this business, the benefit of doing this business is they renovate their old house, provide their daily expenses, and provide good financial education to their children. When the pandemic came, she and her husband disappoint on what they have done because their sari-sari store is temporary close and then it open again. But the income of their store is decreasing from previous income of the time of normal season (before COVID).

"But because of the mercy of god, god gives us strength to continue and be kind to others."

Week 3 (March 14-20)

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WEEKLY BLOG INTERVIEW

2ND WEEK By: Honey Jade Janubas

For our week two it is a sidewalk or "suroy-suroy" vendor. A food vendor prepares and sells ready-to-eat food to the public. They prepare and cook food and serving food to customers.

She is Mrs. Elizabeth Latina a food vendor.

According to her she made up to this kind of business because since a child 17 years old her father is selling this kind of business and she inspired and adopt this business. A type of business she sell is food particularly a halo-halo.

She has been a vendor for the past twenty-one years. Her own approach in business is to entertain the customer, then go from other places to another and always watch on police who would catch them wherever they stand.

The problem and challenges that she encountered since then is she is afraid that they might get penalty and catch with a police. Her benefits of doing this business is to pay off debts as well as buy furniture and fixtures particularly an appliances for her house.

Week 2 (March 7-13)

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WEEKLY BLOG INTERVIEW

2ND WEEK By: Arianne Galendez

For our week two it is a sidewalk or "suroy-suroy" vendor. Street food vendors usually sells food preparations, dishes and products on organised outdoor or indoor market places, or on the streets. Street food vendors use sales techniques to recommend their products to passers-by.

She is Mrs. Mila Galanay a sidewalk vendor particularly a Filipino cuisine meal like pancit and etc.

According to her she was inspired by her friends and come up with this kind of business because unlike stores that they can just simply borrowed or debt from you this kind of business is it is clearly seen and easy to sell especially in a particular place that has so many people like ready to wear clothes or "ukay-ukay".

She is a food vendor since 2016 up until now. So she is selling this kind of business for almost 6 years. Her approach in business is she entertain a customer politely and with flowering words so that the customer will surely buys her product.

The problem and challenges that she encounter is none because she is confident that with perseverance she can sell all her product. The benefits of doing this type of business is to pay off her debts. She stayed for this business because she enjoyed it and she is used to it.

Week 2 (March 7-13)

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WEEKLY BLOG INTERVIEW

2ND WEEK By: Herry Edquila

For our week two it is a sidewalk or "suroy-suroy" vendor. This is a popular Filipino sidewalk food vendor that is made from fried saba bananas coated in caramelized brown sugar. She is Mrs. Rosita L. Pacturan a business woman. She is 58 years old.

According to her, the background of her business is that before she is not interested in business but because life is hard and her husband has a little income she really pursued this kind of work. Her product that she sells are sweet potato cue, banana cue, lumpia and lemon juice. She started her business in 2014 and stopped in 2018 because she got a new job with her neighbor as a helper. After several years, she realized that being a helper is more difficult and physically tired than being a vendor. Also, a vendor is can go anywhere and anytime and can manage time properly. Unlike to being a worker, you should have to work hard and have your employer dictate your work.

After those years, she decided to go back into sidewalk business. Her strategy for selling is to move, stay in place after she display her products, and then move again to find another place where I think more customers will buy my products. However, she also woke up early in the morning to prepare her products to sell.

The problem and challenges that she encountered from starting a business is the capital. Upon doing this business, her family escapes hunger and debt. The main reason why she pursued and stayed in this business, is because of her family. Because she'll never want to see them hungry and become debtors.

Week 2 (March 7-13)

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WEEKLY BLOG INTERVIEW

1ST WEEK By: Wyeth Tadena

For our interview we decided to categorize it to whom we should interview, for our week one we decided to interview a street vendors.

Balut gained its popularity as an affordable, nutritious, and ready-to eat snack that makes it a staple and favorite street food among Filipinos. She is Ms. Cherry Gal Gallemit an owner of small scale business particularly a Balotan maker and she also sell balot.

According to her they made the business out of desperation to have an income to sustain our daily needs. She is a Balot Maker and also a vendor they supply balot to the vendors. She has been a balot maker for the past fourteen years. Their own approach in making sales is by supplying to the vendors.

The problems and challenges that she encountered especially when the pandemic started people are prohibited to go outside so we have difficulty disposing the item.

She also said that the benefits of doing the business is ,first it really sustain to provide the daily needs of her family and they helped a lot of people (vendors) to have an income so they can also sustain their daily needs. Their business stayed for a very long time because aside from they have lots of vendors who are trustworthy that they can disposed as many as they can in just one night, the people there in Pagadian City somehow likes or got addicted in eating balut with its exotic taste.

The takeaways that Ms. Gallemit for us is that you truly have to work hard to get what you want. 

Week 1 (February 28- March 6)

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WEEKLY BLOG INTERVIEW

1ST WEEK By: Honey Jade Janubas

For our interview we decided to categorize it to whom we should interview, for our week one we decided to interview a street vendors.

One of the most common street foods that we often seen is a banana cue. It was an honor to interview Mr. Nelson Buat a banana cue vendor. He has been a street vendor for the past five years. His stall is located beside Ayala Mall CM Recto, Cdo.

According to Mr. Buat what made him start a business is his desire to come up with just a small business and wanted to provide the basic needs for his family that when it comes to starting a business you will really need to have a driving force behind you not just money itself but the people around you. His approach in making sales is that when it is out of stock the profit that he gets will be directed to buy them all the ingredients and raw materials of his business and the money is rolling to his business itself.

The problem that he encountered upon establishing this business is before it was a sidewalk not until today he already have his space and make a rent on it and has a proper place to stand a business with. The challenge he encountered is the time, before his business is running 24/7 not until pandemic comes there is a curfew and he need to close his business on a specific time and the profit it gets is lesser than before.

The benefit that he get out from his business is he already bought a motorcycle and provide their family needs and wants. After all these years he still continue his business because he can still profit and he says that you should never be discourage and not timid to whatever outcomes it may face on the way.

The takeaways from Mr. Buat is that being strong and have a goal that will give you purpose. He always says that never give up in life whatever it might happen stay focus and you live your dream.

Week 1 (February 28- March 6)