These former teachers proved that being an educator is a life-long commitment to their students!
After resigning from their regular jobs, they established their own taho business in the middle of the pandemic. But they did not forget their former students on their way to their success.
Owners Camille Ona and Marvin Paclibare hired working students to help them in their daily needs.
“Hindi naman po nagsisisi though mahal din naman namin ’yung teaching. Talagang na-enjoy namin siya and then ‘yung na established din namin na relationship with the kids naman andun pa rin until now. Pero siguro being pratical na lang din, during this time. And pag ano pwede naman din kami bumalik. Tsaka medyo napra-practice din namin siya with our employees eh ‘yung pagiging teachers namin,” Camille said.
“Since ‘yung mga employees po namin, mga students ko rin po. So ganun lang rin po,” Marvin added.
The couple can now help their students not just on their educational journey but also with their financial needs.
“‘Yun we always remind din kasi ‘yung mga employes namin ‘yun sa pag-handle ng finances nila. Like lagi naming sinasabing, “Oh ano kumusta ‘yung mga may naipon ba kayo?” So kasi since napagdaanan namin ‘yung mga experiences namin sa employers namin so gusto namin ma-apply namin sa kanila na matuto din sila on their own,” Camille shared.
Camille and Marvin initially planned to establish a milk tea business, but they realized that they wanted something more unique. They started planning and experimenting with their products at Camille’s house in Valenzuela.
“And dumating na po ‘yung pandemic, ‘yung mga tao po is lalo naging health conscious, so parang naisip namin na i-combine na lang ‘yung concept ni milk tea and ni taho. Healthier version siya ni milk tea,” he explained.
At some point, they tried to juggle their time as teachers and business owners. But in 2020, they left their teaching career to focus on growing their business.
“In relation naman po sa pagiging teacher sa pag bu-business, so parang may similarities rin man o tinatawag na common denominator. Kagaya sa school, nag-aaral kami kung ano ‘yung mga tinuturo namin, ituturo namin. Dito naman natutunan din naman namin na makinig din Ma’am sa mga mentor, sa mga taong,” he noted.
“Kailangan din kasi tanggapin namin na sa school marami kaming alam, sa field naman ng business kami naman ‘yung walang alam so kailangan namin maging estudyante at makinig sa mga taong may mas alam sa amin,” he added.
They now have a total of 11 branches in Luzon! They also have plans to expand their business nationwide.
“Siguro ‘yung una is to get out of your comfort zone, kasi you’ll never know what’s in store for you if you just stick to the things that you’re used to. And then when you dream, turn it into a reality. Kasi minsan ‘di enough kasi ‘yung nangangarap lang tayo eh na,”Ito gusto ko ‘yan.” Kailangan samahan ng hardwork and ‘yun sipag lang and tiyaga. Tapos you’ll get there,” Camille said when asked about her message to aspiring business owners.
