Jhestine San Ramon, a 32-year-old owner of small earring business called “Babae Handmade Accessories,” is among the exhibitors at a bazaar organized by the Philippine Information Agency Employees Association (PIAEA) in celebration of the National Women’s Month. (Photo by: PIA-NCR)
From a monthly sales of P2,000 since she started her “Babae Handmade Accessories” small earring business in 2019, 32-year-old Jhestine San Ramon is now earning P20,000 in just a matter of days.
Jhestine attributes this significant business growth to the assistance she received from the city government of Quezon City through the “Proudly Original Products of Quezon City” program.
The passion of Jhestine for creating earrings served as the driving force behind her entrepreneurial journey, inspiring her to craft pieces that resonate with women.
“Mahilig talaga ako sa hikaw. Kahit marunong ako gumawa ng hikaw, kapag may nakita akong interesting na hikaw, binibili ko pa rin,” said Jhestine.
(I really love earrings. Even if I know how to make one, when I see interesting earrings, I still buy them.)
“Masaya kasi ako kapag natutuwa ‘yung mga babae. Masaya ako mag-create at masaya rin ako kapag nagagandahan sila tapos bagay sa kanila,” she added.
(I’m happy to see women happy. I enjoy creating, and I’m especially happy when they find what I make beautiful and it looks good on them.)
However, Jhestine understood that passion alone would not necessarily translate to profit. Despite being able to create a collection of unique designs, her primary challenge was the lack of a platform to reach her target market.
Not until she was able to connect with the Quezon City Small Business and Cooperatives Development and Promotions Office (QC-SBCDPO) which extended the marketing and sales support she needed through the POP QC program.
POP QC program is designed to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) build a strong local presence by facilitating access to potential markets such as bazaars and trade fairs where they can sell and promote their products.
It also provides funding opportunities amounting to P10,000 to P20,000 for small business start-ups in addition to entrepreneurship training and mentorship programs that are geared towards equipping MSMEs with the skills and resources they need to ensure long-term growth.
“Ito palang ang unang platform ko (POP QC), which is very important kasi isa sa mahirap talagang mangyari sa business is marketing, ‘yung ma-reach mo ‘yung clients mo, lalo na housewife ako,” said Jhestine.
(This is actually my first platform (POP QC), which is very important because one of the really difficult things to achieve in business is marketing, reaching your clients, especially since I’m a housewife.)
Owing to POP QC, Jhestine’s earring business is now a success as it opened doors to a wider customer base, boosting her brand visibility and connecting her with a supportive community of fellow MSMEs.
Building upon the support she received, Jhestine is now helping other aspiring women entrepreneurs by offering commission-based projects through her business.
QC-SBCDPO Head Mona Celine Marie Yap highlighted that beyond a marketplace, POP QC aims to establish a network of MSMEs for shared growth opportunities.
“The POP QC, they don’t see it as a competition, it’s more than a group of bazaaristas, more like a community of entrepreneurs who are willing to work together,” said Yap.
POP QC accepts membership applications throughout the year. Other training programs that it offers for MSMEs include Basic Food Hygiene, Pricing and Costing, Basic Taxation, Visual Merchandising, as well as assistance in the completion of business registration requirements through the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), among others. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
