Studying is not an easy journey, especially when you have to juggle it with work.
But this 21 -year-old student-entrepreneur proved that hard work and perseverance are pillars to turning her dreams into realities.
Raliane Gail Perez started selling desserts in school before the COVID-19 pandemic started.
“Nagstart ako [maging] student entrepreneur when I first discovered the dessert po na natikman ko sa tita ko. And sabi bakit hindi natin ito ibenta since since mukang papatok naman siya,” she recalled.
“Nagstart ako magtinda, ang customer ko lang nun ‘yung group of friends ko lang. Then pag katapos ng class nag tatry ako collect ng orders from ibang section. Pinatikim ko siya sa mga classmates ko evenutually nagustuhan ng mga classmates ko nagresell [sila.],” she added.
Raliane is an only child. Her father was the only one working in the family.
The profits of her business helped her pay for school projects and provide for her family’s needs at home.
But when the government implemented lockdowns to contain the virus, she had to set up her business online.
She was also diagnosed with anxiety disorder due to the quarantine.
“Para lang merong extra income. Nagkaroon po ako ng anxieties ginagawa ko pinush through ko talaga siya kasi I think ma makakahelp siya sa mental health ko. Kaya din ako mas naging productive,” she said.
Raliane said that it took time before she reached customers online.
In Dec. 2021, she finally had regular customers and resellers. She now distributes desserts to 30 resellers nationwide.
She even earned P7,000 per day during the peak season. Her products can now reach as far as Italy.
Raliane is set to graduate on July 1, 2022 with a degree in financial management from Far Eastern University-Makati.
Raliane plans to continue running her business even after her graduation.
She also aims to help other people to establish their own business.
“Una pag aralan niyo muna ‘yung product, second mahalin niyo dapat magtiwala kayo sa sarili niyo kasi hindi sa lahat ng panahon malakas ‘yung benta eh. Dapat dedicated kayo sa ginagawa niyo kasi may times na matumal,” she said.
