A 17-year-old student from Cavite is now earning P5,000 a day after he started a business venture involving a vegetable that’s quite common among Filipino backyards.
Initially, Josh Mojica’s kangkong chips idea began in May 2021. However, after his grandfather passed away, he eventually decided to push through with his plan in order to help his parents.
After less than a month since he started his business, the young entrepreneur has already made his brand known and now earns P5,000 a day.
This was made possible after presidential aspirant Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson ordered in bulk from Mojica and commended him on social media for his hard work at a young age.
“My office ordered delicious ‘kangkong’ chips as part of our Xmas gift-basket giveaways from this 17-year old entrepreneur from Cavite who started this business to help his parents after his lolo passed away last June. I don’t know him but I’m so proud of him. Hats off!” Lacson tweeted last Nov. along with a photo of Mojica.
Mojica shared that they did not know at first that it was Lacson’s office that ordered 400 bags of kangkong chips, adding that he only realized it when one of the senator’s personnel told him during the delivery.
“Nakakaiyak po, sana po nakita siya ng Lolo ko. Tapos sobrang grateful din po kasi hanggang ngayon po, hindi pa din niya ako pinababayaan,” he said.
With an initial investment of around P3,000, Mojica was able to grow his small business. He also found a supplier of kangkong, allowing him to meet the demand for his products.
But due to the influx of orders, Mojica realized that he needed a helping hand in managing his business, prompting him to tap his cousin. But as it turned out, a two-man team was still not enough. And so, Mojica eventually decided to hire his friends.
“Ngayon po halos lahat po ng tropa ko, bale mga 10 na po sila. Lahat din po sila nag-aaral pa. Pero nabigyan ko po sila ng opportunity para po kumita ngayong pandemic,” he said.
But just like other business owners, Mojica’s road to success was not easy. When he was just starting, he recalled doing everything alone just to finish his products.
“Nagsimula po ako na magluto mag-isa, nagpaturo po ako sa Tita ko. Una po, parang nakalagay lang siya do’n sa alam niyo po ‘yung lalagyan ng rice box na meal? ‘Yun po may na-order na po ng mga ganun. Nasasarapan sila, may nagrerepeat order na po,” Mojica shared.
“Gumigising na po ako ng maaga kasi madaming order. 6AM mag-isa lang po ako. May nagdidip, may nagpiprito ako din po ‘yun lahat. ‘Yun po, hanggang sa lumaki na nang lumaki,” he added.
Mojica shared that his business also went through hard times when they were still creating their brand and crafting the recipe.
But with perseverance and determination, they achieved the perfect taste for their crispy kangkong chips.
“Masasabi mo talaga na kailangan ng failure para matuto ka,” he noted.
Mojica, a senior high school student at Saint Augustine School-Mendez, said that he manages his time wisely so he can still study while looking over his business.
“Hanggang hapon po nakabantay po ako do’n. Tinutulungan ko din po sila. Tapos sa gabi po ako nagsta-start magsagot ng mga module,” he said.
Meanwhile, since he is still a minor, his parents and other family members handle the financial side of his business.
Mojica said that he is really thankful for the support of his family members, especially his aunt, who taught him how to make kangkong chips.
Mojica’s kangkong chips retail for P110 per 120 grams and available in various flavors: original, cheese, cream cheese, spicy.
His products now reach Baguio and even US and Canada. At present, he has resellers in Cavite and Pasay.
In the future, Mojica plans to build his own kitchen, have pop-up stores in malls and employ more teenagers so that they can help their parents.
“‘Yun din po ang goal ko, gusto ko po na ‘yung mga tambay kong tropa, na walang ginawa kung hindi maglaro, ay mabigyan ko nung ganun po, na matuwa po ang parents nila,” he stressed.
