Pennwela Campomanes’ journey as an entrepreneur started in 2009, when she engaged in a buy-and-sell type of part-time business. 

While working as a staff member in a travel agency, the 40-year-old aspiring business owner from Carcar City allotted a portion of her time to selling banana and coconut chips in hotels to earn extra income to support her family’s needs in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Motivated by her desire to have full control of her time while earning money, Pennwela decided to shift her sideline business into a full-time one. In 2016, she established her own business, Vhonytiff Fruit Food Products Processing, where she manufactures and sells banana chips, coconut chips, coco-banana chips, and chocolate chips.

“Pag pandemic padayun akong negosyo, nakatabang gyud ni kay at least naa ra gihapon mi income nakasugakod ra gihapon among pamilya,” said Pennwela. 

(During the peak of the pandemic, I continued my business, which really helped my family to survive during that time). 

While running her business, Pennwela realized that in order for her business to achieve long-term success, it is important to recognize the crucial role of external support and gather input from industry experts to integrate innovations for her business to adapt to new trends and technologies.

She decided to avail of the programs offered by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)  for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), joining their seminars and trainings. 

“Na open up akong mind nga nindot gyud anaa tay brand, manindot atong packaging and product labeling, so didto ko naka realize to avail aning mga gipang offer na training and seminar sa DTI,” said Pennwela. 

(I learned that it's better that we have a brand, that our packaging and product labeling must be improved. So that's when I decided to avail of the trainings and seminars offered by DTI.) 

Pennwela became one of the mentees of DTI’s Kapatid Mentor Me Project (KMME), which provided her training and guidance on how to improve the marketing, financing, operations, and other aspects of her business.

She participated in several training on rebranding, product packaging and labeling, and marketing, while also attending several seminars on business processing, documentation, accreditation, and good manufacturing practices. 

KMME Program

The Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) is a ten-module mentorship program implemented by DTI since 2016. It aims to increase the entrepreneurial capacity of mentees by providing them with better access to mentorship, money, and markets. 

The program maximizes weekly interactions between mentors and mentees through in-person and online.

In 2020, the KMME Online Program assisted around 2,000 MSMEs, which was achieved through the support and cooperation of the pool of mentors across the country. 

There are currently 802 mentors nationwide, over 7,000 mentee graduates, and over 4,000 online mentee graduates from the said program.

“Dako gyud kaayong natabang ang mga programa sa DTI, kay aside ani mga mga training og seminar, ila pud mi dal-on sa mga trade fairs og exhibits, nga makatabang sa among products nga mas mailhan pa sa kadaghanan og mahatagan og avenue nga ma baligya sa mas daghan nga mga buyers. Nahatagan og access among negosyo sa mas lapad nga market,” said Pennwela. 

(The DTI programs have really helped us a lot. Aside from the trainings and seminars, they also brought us to trade fairs and exhibits, which made our products known by many, gave us an avenue to sell to more buyers, and provided us with access to a wider market.)

Call for aspiring entrepreneurs

The knowledge and skills Pennwela gained from the program has become a vital tool for her to elevate the quality of her products and expand the reach of her business. Her products are now on display in several supermarkets. 

Her story is one that Pennwela hopes will inspire other women who dream of becoming an entrepreneur. 

“Dapat kabalo ta mosolbad sa mga problema nga atong maatubang sa atong negosyo. One at a time lang gyud, magsugod man gyud tanan sa gamay. Dili lang mo surrender dayun. Kinahanglan nga inyung mindset focus dapat sa pag improve sa business, ang income dapat gamiton sa pagpalambo sa atong negosyo, unya lang sa na ang mga laing butang nga gusto natong paliton nga sad kinahanglan kaayo,” she said. 

(If you want to succeed in business, you should know how to solve the problems you will be encountering in your business. Don't just surrender right away. You must develop a mindset that always focuses on improving your business. Your income should be used to improve your business and you should prioritize the needs of your business.)  

Pennwela’s road to becoming a successful entrepreneur is a testament to the transformative power of education, mentorship, and her unwavering passion and determination. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)