In 2021, a 22-year-old woman from Mandaluyong City pitched a business idea to her brother, not realizing that it would help her older sibling who was laid off from work due to the effects of the pandemic.
Abigail Martinez, an avid fan of Korean dramas, did not think twice to ask help from her brother, Joshua, to establish their first business after several attempts to resell other products.
“Kaya no’ng may idea na ako sa Chingu, sinabi ko na sa brother ko. Kasi ‘yung mga past na business ko parang hindi naman nag-succeed so no’ng in-approach ko ‘yung brother ko, para din tulong sa kanya kasi nga male-lay-off na siya sa job niya,” Abigail told The Philippine STAR.
“Nagbenta ako ng halaman, ng damit. Nagbenta din ako ng pantali sa buhok, nagbenta ako ng bags. Nagbenta din ako ng panlinis sa jewelry.Try lang talaga nang try,” she added.
Joshua noted that when his sister told her plans about opening a corndog business, he immediately agreed. With a capital of P6,000, they turned their business to reality.
“No’ng 2021, technical support ako. No’ng time na January kasi, parang na-layoff na kami. Nagbabawas kasi na sila ng tao. Ni-reach out ako ng kapatid ko regarding sa business. In-approve ko naman siya kasi parang may potential siya eh na market talaga,” Joshua said.
“Mahilig kami magluto talaga.Siguro three months namin siyang pine-prep para talaga bago namin i-release,maganda na ‘yung product,” he added.
The siblings along with their parents worked together inside their small home kitchen to accommodate around 100 orders from their family and friends.
“Talagang sa bahay lang tas sobrang sikip no’ng kitchen namin tas apat lang kami. Ako, si kuya, si nanay, at saka si tatay lang. Parang sobrang dami na ng orders. Hindi na din namin kaya ma-cater talaga. ‘Yon. Kaya ‘yon ‘yung time na gusto na namin talagang mag-expand,” Abigail recalled.
After six months, they were able to establish their first physical store near their house in Mandaluyong. They can now accommodate walk-in customers.
“Winork hard talaga namin na magkaron agad ng physical store kasi madami talaga kaming customer na hinahanap kami. Kasi mahirap hanapin ‘yung bahay namin eh,” she added.
Joshua and Abigail admitted that they had to adjust after their big move to expand it. “Medyo nalulula kami ‘pag may nagw-walk-in gano’n kasi hindi kami sanay.”
“No’ng una, talagang nalulula kami kasi start kami sa pa-kilo-kilo lang. Ngayon, pa-box. Puro box na ‘yung dumadating.Dati sa palengke lang ganyan. Parang bibili ka lang ng tingi-tingi kasi ‘di ka pa sure. Tas ngayon, talagang sinu-supply-an na kami,” Abigail shared.
In a day, they can sell 50-60 boxes of corndogs. From a four-man team, they now have 11 employees. Their business now earns six digits.
“Tiwala lang. Kasi nag-start ka na may tiwala ka do’n sa produkto or do’n sa business mo eh. Dapat buong-buo kahit mababa ang kita. Kung ano man ‘yung gusto nilang gawin, i-start nila. ‘Wag mawalan ng pag-asa,” Joshua said.
“Start small. ‘Yon ‘yung importante. Mag-start ka nang small para as time goes by, makikita mo unti-unti ‘yung progress mo,” Abigail echoed.
