In photo (L-R): Mohammad Hadji Mahmod, Von Bindolo, and Ma. Christine Vito
For many
Filipino entrepreneurs, growing a negosyo doesn’t always begin with a big
investment. Sometimes, it starts with just enough capital to restock in-demand
products, expand what they can offer, or keep up with their customers.
For Ma.
Christine Vito, Mohammad Hadji Mahmod, and Von Bindolo, that starting point was
a Maya Advance loan of ₱10,000, ₱1,000, and ₱20,000, respectively. Each put
that additional capital toward practical business needs: from inventory and
everyday operations to services their customers were already looking for.
Over time, those
small beginnings opened the door to bigger opportunities. By continuing to
transact through Maya Business and responsibly managing their loans, all three
were able to access more working capital as their businesses grew, turning
their first relatively small loans into millions of pesos in Maya Advance loans
utilized over time.
Christine: From a Sari-Sari Store to a Growing Grocery
For Ma.
Christine Vito, becoming a business owner wasn’t always part of the plan. After
completing an internship at a shipping company, where she gained experience
selling dry goods, she became interested in running a business of her own.
Christine and
her family eventually opened a small store in Boracay Island. When the property
where it stood was sold, they relocated to Sebaste, Antique, where they started
again with a sari-sari store.
During the
pandemic, the store remained open to serve the community. As more customers
came in for mobile load, bills payment, and cash-in and cash-out services,
Christine began using Maya Business more actively, and soon found herself
needing more inventory to keep up with demand.
She was
initially hesitant when she was offered her first ₱10,000 Maya Advance loan,
but decided to use it to purchase more products for the store.
“Noong una,
natakot akong kumuha ng loan, pero dahil sa Maya Business, nagkaroon kami ng
puhunan para tuloy-tuloy na mapalago ang negosyo namin.” (At first, I
was afraid to take out a loan, but through Maya Business, we had the capital to
continuously grow our business.)
As the negosyo
grew, Christine continued putting additional capital back into the business.
Since that first ₱10,000, she has utilized more than ₱3 million in Maya
Advance loans over time.
What began as a
small sari-sari store has since expanded into a mini grocery, with a kitchen
and mini warehouse to support its operations. Her family has also purchased a
vehicle for the negosyo, growth that Christine built one practical investment
at a time.
Mohammad: Making the Most of His First ₱1,000
For Mohammad
Hadji Mahmod, the first step was even smaller. After years of working as an
OFW, Mohammad returned to the Philippines to help grow his family’s business in
Boracay Island. He became a Maya Business user in 2023, offering mobile load,
bills payment, and cash-in and cash-out services to customers in their
community.
When his first
Maya Advance offer came, it was for ₱1,000. Rather than waiting for a bigger
amount, Mohammad saw an opportunity to put what was available to work. He used
the funds for his load business, helping keep the service running while
gradually building up his capital.
As he continued
using Maya Business and responsibly managing his loans, he was able to access
more working capital for the family negosyo. From that first ₱1,000,
Mohammad has since utilized more than ₱2.2 million in Maya Advance loans over
time, helping him sustain daily operations, expand his product offerings, and
pursue new business opportunities.
“Hangga't may
Maya Business, mas kampante akong patuloy na palaguin ang negosyo ng pamilya
namin.” (As long as we have Maya Business, I feel more confident
continuing to grow our family business.)
For Mohammad,
it’s a mindset that has stayed the same since his first loan: start with what
you have, put it to good use, and keep building from there.
Von: Turning Additional Capital Into New Opportunities
Von Bindolo’s
journey with Maya Business began before she even took over her family’s
sari-sari store. While working in Manila, she discovered Maya Business through
Facebook and began selling mobile load to earn additional income through
commissions. When she returned to Boracay to take over the family store from
her mother, Maya Business became part of how she served customers in the
community.
When the
pandemic hit and tourism in Boracay came to a standstill, keeping the negosyo
running became even more important. Von continued serving customers who relied
on the store for mobile load, bills payment, and cash-in and cash-out services.
Her first
₱20,000 Maya Advance loan gave her additional working capital to keep investing
in the business during a difficult period.
“Malaking bagay
kahit maliit lang ang puhunan, lalo na kapag ginagamit mo para madagdagan ang
paninda at mapagsilbihan nang mas maayos ang mga suki. Unti-unti, nakita ko rin
na kaya palang lumago ang negosyo namin.” (Even a small amount of
capital can make a big difference, especially when you use it to add more
products and serve your regular customers better. Little by little, I also saw
that our business could really grow.)
Since that first
loan, Von has utilized more than ₱2.6 million in Maya Advance loans over
time. The additional capital has helped her grow sales and invest back into the
negosyo, including purchasing an e-bike for daily operations. Her growing
business has also helped support her child’s education.
What started as
a sari-sari store passed down by her mother continues to grow into a negosyo
that supports both her family and the community around her.
Small Capital Can Go a Long Way
Christine,
Mohammad, and Von started with different businesses and different amounts. What
they shared was how they chose to use that capital: putting it toward real,
everyday needs that could help their negosyo move forward.
As their
businesses grew, so did the opportunities available to them. What began with
inventory, load, and daily operating needs eventually helped make room for
bigger investments: from expanding a sari-sari store into a mini grocery to
purchasing vehicles and exploring new sources of income.
Through Maya
Business, entrepreneurs can access digital tools and services for everyday
business needs, from accepting QR Ph payments to offering mobile load, bills
payment, and cash-in and cash-out services. Eligible Maya Business users can
also access additional working capital through Maya Advance.
For Filipino
entrepreneurs, growing a negosyo doesn’t always mean starting big. Sometimes,
it means making the most of the capital you have, putting it where it can make
a difference, and building from there.
Because a small
first step can eventually take a negosyo much further.
Looking to grow
your negosyo with digital tools and services? Apply to become a Maya Center and
download the Maya Business
app on Google Play and App Store to get started.
Visit maya.ph or mayabank.ph,
and follow @makeyourmoneymaya on
Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok to stay updated. Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. are
regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. www.bsp.gov.ph. For 24/7 assistance, visit the Help Center in
the Maya app or call us from 8 AM to 7 PM daily at +632 8845-7788.
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