(PIA) – It is a common practice that when  one visits a place, she brings home something  to cherish the memories of the place.

A woman entrepreneur came up with the idea of packaging Baguio scents so that you could 'bring home Baguio'.
 
Ruth Ramos, a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-assisted entrepreneur, founded the Paglaom Studio, which sells scented candles and home fragrances that are Baguio-inspired.

Her products' scents include Breathe Baguio, Baguio Brew, Botanical Gardens, Christmas Village, Pine, and Strawberry among others.

"We create scents po through scented candles using eco-friendly products or raw materials, home fragrances na nakakapagpabango sa bahay,  with a twist na Baguio-inspired lahat ng scents. Something unique na maiiuuwi nila sa bahay, maiuuwi nila ang Baguio," Ramos said.

From candles, she expanded her products to fragrances such as alcohol, cologne, and essential oil but with the same scents of Baguio.
 
She named her enterprise as 'paglaom', a Cebuano word that means hope. 

Ramos shared that she started to make candles at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was inspired by the handicrafts she saw on social media. She chose scented candles as a product because she believes that scents uplift moods and emotions.

"Gusto ko lang na ma-uplift 'yung mood ko personally, and hopefully, 'yung lahat ng mag-engage sa product namin ma-inspire namin sila na ma-uplift 'yung feelings nila, to give hope sa lahat ng feeling hopeless, at least they can have a moment of joy, of happiness through our products," she said.
 
With a capital of  P5,000, she started to make her products, and sell online. Faced with various challenges like logistics,  she  participated in DTI-sponsored fairs that have helped her connect to various business clients. She also joined the Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) Program of DTI, enhancing her knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship.

She was also introduced to a supportive network of individuals who could provide valuable assistance to her business.

She shared that under the program, she was able to learn lessons that she is applying until now.
 
"Isa sa mga subjects ng KMME kung paano mag-invest sa equipment, paano mag-handle ng tao. Hanggang ngayon, ina-apply ko siya sa business ko, hindi ko malilimutan."
 
Under the Juana Makes a Mark Program, Ramos was able to register her business with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. She was also able to further develop her products through the DTI and the Design Center of the Philippines.
  
Ramos urged other women who want to venture into business to approach concerned government offices for assistance and guidance.
 
"Lakasan ninyo lang po ang loob ninyo at maraming assistance na available para sa inyo. Huwag kayong mahiyang humingi ng tulong. Maglakas loob kayo na mag-start ng negosyo. Simulan ninyo na po 'yan. You'll never know until you try," she said.
 
Ramos shared her story during the recent Usapang PIA with the hope of inspiring other women to pursue their dreams and navigate the world of entrepreneurship. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)