BUCAY, Abra (PIA) — Just a few months in business, a local coffee shop owner in Abra lost stocks and equipment to floods during typhoon Egay in 2023. But through hard work and perseverance, the business has rebounded and now flourishing.
“Hindi naman araw-araw pasko sa negosyo pero go lang,” affirmed Kristal Cardenas whose cafe business continue to serve despite various challenges.
Small Beginnings
Before the coffee, milktea and other snacks, Cardenas started with selling choco-lollies online.
“Nag-start ako sa choco-lollies na binebenta ko online kasi nasa Manila ako that time na naga-alaga ako ng mga babies ko so naghahanap ako ng source para matulungan ko yung husband ko,” she shared.
As her online baking business grew, she started to venture into making other chocolate goodies and souvenirs for events.
She was also able to ship and sell more than a hundred of banana breads to Abra.
“Kaya ‘yung logo ko mayroon doong banana bread so parang gusto ko may kape, kaya may coffee,” she explained.
Aside from being a perfect pair for her baked goodies, Cardenas and her husband’s love for coffee also inspired her to start with a coffee business, which she also trained for while in Manila.
“Naisip ko noon paano ko maa-apply yung natutunan ko kung wala akong machine.Bumili kami ng machine and nag-train ako ng nag-train sa bahay lang kasi housewife ako noon,” she said.
In 2021, while on vacation, Cardenas joined the local fiesta bazaar with the then coffee corner.
Starting the business in the province
After the pandemic, Cardenas and her family decided to settle in the province for good.
She did not waste time and started her first business in the province which is a water refilling station with a garden café at the back.
“Ilang buwan pa lang noon and then na-Egay na kami. Lahat ng stock, machine, as in iyong machine namin is nalubog sa tubig. So, nag-decide kami to stop for two months lang,” she said.
After recovering from the typhoon blow, Cardenas, determined to pursue her coffee business, bought another coffee machine and started over with take-out and delivery services.
In 2024, Cardenas took the opportunity of joining the food bazaar hosted by the provincial capitol in the Kawayan Festival.
While busy with the bazaar, she also signed up with the Department of Trade and Industry’s Kapatid Mentor Me Program to learn more about managing a business.
“Baon-baon ko talaga ‘yung mga naituro nila kasi ang pinaka-nagustuhan ko talaga is ‘yung experience ng mga mentor na talagang tumatak sa akin,” she expressed.
After her KMME journey, she decided to again put up her coffee shop in another location while her main café in Bangued is still under renovation from damages due to the Egay flood.
K Café found a spot in Bucay where Cardenas was able to train at least three employees to assist her in managing and running her shop.
“Ang ginagawa ko is dinadayo ko sila tapos mago-order ako para tikman ko if okay pa ba ‘yung timpla nila,” she explained.
Brewing in Progress
Aside from the coffee, milktea, soda, and pastries offered at her coffee shop, Cardenas also opened her Coffee Corner coffee stands that offer packages to cater to various events such as birthdays.
“May nagbu-book na sa amin ng coffee corner so inopen na naming to any event po and may kasama na din po syang pastries, fries, ganun po,” she said.
The career mom of three is looking forward to expanding her café business to at least four branches.
“Meron naman na akong café sa Bucay, meron na din akong branch sa Agtangao, and then unti-unti is io-open ko na po ‘yung iba,” she shared.
Keep on Brewing
Despite setbacks with her business, Cardenas is still optimistic to learn and grow her business.
“Kahit maliit lang yan, madami ‘yang patutunguhan kung masipag ka at may tyaga ka lang,” she stressed as she urged other budding entrepreneurs.
She also emphasized the importance of support and self-confidence in keeping up with the demands of managing and running a business.
“Alam mo ‘yung natatakot ka pero go lang kasi hindi ka naman siguro bibigyan ni Lord ng challenge na hindi mo kaya,” she highlighted. (JJMT, PIA-CAR, Abra)
