What drives an entrepreneur to start a business?

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The rise of e-commerce platforms in recent times has made it easier for Filipinos across the country to start their own online businesses.

Apart from generating income, there are multiple factors – both personal and external – that inspire a person to start their own business. With this increasing interest, what are the motivations that drive someone to become an entrepreneur?

For overseas Filipino workers like Donald, becoming an entrepreneur meant being able to spend more time with his family. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Donald worked in the UAE hotel industry. Although he was able to provide for his family, being away limited him from celebrating special occasions and milestones, so he decided to go home in 2019. When he got back to the Philippines, he made a living out of selling hotel-grade curtains and bedsheets to leverage his hotel industry experience. Initially, he marketed his products through door-to-door sales, but since he was away from his family for a long time, he wanted to spend more time at home. This is why he decided to start selling online.

Donald set up a shop on Shopee to expand his reach to a nationwide audience and boost his sales, all from the comfort of his own home. Today, he has over 100 employees helping him run his Shopee store, and is now able to spend more time with his family. “When I was away, I was never able to celebrate holidays with my family. I took the leap to go home and start my own business – which has changed my life for the better,” shared Donald.

“Because I started selling online with Shopee, time with my family is now a luxury I can enjoy since I can run my business from home. I’ve learned a lot from my journey as an entrepreneur, but I know that business is always changing. I need to adapt, change, and innovate, and Shopee makes it easier for me to do that with new features, tools, and online courses that I can access from my home.”

Meanwhile, for hobbyists like Heron, starting his own business enabled him to build relationships with his customers, and even foster a sense of community with those who share the same interests as him. Before becoming an entrepreneur, he was already an avid collector of imported action figures. When he chose to sell some items from his personal collection, Heron realized he could make a business out of his hobby. With his knowledge on the niche market of collecting action figures, Heron successfully set up his own store. Although he initially started out with a traditional brick and mortar store, he eventually transitioned to e-commerce and sold collector’s items on Shopee.

With Shopee, he was able to grow a customer base who have the same interests and hobbies. He maximizes the platform’s features to directly communicate with his buyers, and build affinity for his business. “I never expected that my hobby would turn into my full-time job. When I needed to sell some of my items to build my savings, it felt like a happy accident that there were many people like me who share the same interests and are interested in buying my action figures,” shared Heron.

“When I joined Shopee, it helped me take my business even further because it became easier to track my stocks, monitor sales, and reach new customers with the different in-app features. My relationship manager has also been a big help in guiding me every step of the way. I didn’t know how to start, but it became a lot easier with Shopee. Everything just fell into the right place at the right time.”

If there’s anything Donald and Heron’s stories have shown, it’s that becoming a successful entrepreneur is within arm’s reach. It takes drive, determination, and personal experience that spark a sense of entrepreneurship for one to take that leap and start their own business. Shopee commits itself to helping entrepreneurs drive their businesses forward through the multiple benefits of e-commerce.

If you want to become an entrepreneur and grow your business online with the numerous benefits of e-commerce, start your online selling journey with Shopee today. Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Journalist and now entrepreneur and farmer Ces Oreňa-Drilon: ‘It’s really passion that moves you forward.’

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Ces Oreňa-Drilon has never met a story she wasn’t passionate about pursuing or a challenge she didn’t face head-on with a positive spirit.

Ces Drilon leaves her comfort zone to try new things like digital, farming, \

and starting her own business.

When the former reporter and Bandila anchor lost her job when ABS-CBN’s franchise was not renewed at the height of the pandemic in 2020, Ces turned to farming and entrepreneurship to sustain her. Out of the newsroom, she also explored digital platforms to reach her audiences.

Ces, who was also former Content Acquisition Head of ABS-CBN Lifestyle Ecosystem Group, says, “Leaving the anchor’s chair was my own decision because I wanted to leave my comfort zone and try new things like digital. So, I took the plunge and tried my hand at livestreaming. I was very nervous at first because I was communicating to a younger audience, which I was not used to. But to my surprise it became one of the best things I did during the pandemic. I was so happy, and my fear of having dead air and talking to 20-year-olds was unfounded. It was also a new way of generating income during the pandemic.”

The award-winning broadcast journalist who, for over 30 years, was on our TV sets chasing hard news and feature stories found that there was a whole new world away from the newsroom. It may be a cliché but it’s true that when a door closes, a window opens.

For Ces, it was becoming an entrepreneur, content creator, and a farmer. She founded and launched Provenciana, which produces smudge sticks or bundles of dried herbs that you burn to produce a cleansing cloud of smoke for positive energy; soaps; and other natural home products.

“I learned to adapt and try new things because the road to success is never a straight line. For me the secret to success is enjoying what you do, and also to savor life’s little pleasures. Don’t forget to celebrate living.”

How Ces Drilon manifested her dreams

Ces began her journalism career in 1984. As a rookie reporter, she had to work long hours and be very diligent about the stories she was assigned to do to build credibility.

“I love the craft. I love the challenge of being able to combine words and video, and being able to distil a very complicated issue into two minutes.”

In the end, she says, all this paid off. “It’s really the passion that moves you forward because the job of being a field reporter is very demanding. If you begin early, you reap the benefits of what you sow. Your commitment, your dedication will bear fruit as a reporter, and consistency is key. In the beginning, I was open to a lot of opportunities and challenges without being so conscious about the pay knowing that payback would come later. Alam niyo, success doesn’t come overnight but over time.”

She took new challenges and explored new ground as she worked her way up the newsroom. “Learning new things and new skills is so fulfilling. And it’s good to leave one’s comfort zone.”

Ces Drilon believes FWD Life Insurance’s Manifest, an investment-linked insurance, 

is a wise plan to have.

Like many women, she successfully balanced a demanding career with her other role as a single parent to four young boys. This pushed her to think long and hard about her financial wellbeing.

“I started investing when I was a reporter. I bought insurance for myself and for my kids because I wanted to protect my family. When you have protection, you can take calculated risks with the hope of earning bigger returns. You know, after I lost my job of over 30 years, pivoting to a new venture like Provenciana was easier because I was financially prepared and had a back-up plan. Sound financial planning will grow and protect what you’ve built.”

For that she believes FWD Life Insurance’s Manifest, an investment-linked insurance, is a wise plan to have. “FWD Manifest gives you strong life protection and smart wealth investment. And because it has protection and investment components, you can manifest your dreams with more confidence and less worries,” she says.

Knowing that she’s protected and her family is secure also gives her the courage to venture and expand her new life as an entrepreneur.

“I will be giving greater focus to farming this second half of 2022 aside from growing all the things that Provenciana needs. I want to eventually live there (in the farm). The aim is really to be able to go back to basics and to tap the healing and nurturing properties of Philippine endemic plants.”

To Ces, success is being able to build something that will outlast her. “Success also means leaving the world a better place than when you found it. So, I dedicate this to my children.”

“I manifested my dreams and I know you can, too. Invest and manifest your future with FWD Manifest.”

To know more about FWD Manifest, schedule a free consultation with an FWD financial advisor.

Shopee sellers share two major tips on how they were able to build a successful business online

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With inflation rising and economic recession looming, it may seem difficult for aspiring entrepreneurs to invest in an online business. Despite the economic situation and the challenges it poses, Davao-based Shopee sellers Shiela Reyes-Lao and Lou Putian prove that one can still manage to start an online business and become successful.

In a recent face-to-face event held by Shopee for Davao-based entrepreneurs, both sellers shared how easy it was to join and grow their businesses on Shopee, even in the face of economic uncertainty.

Tip #1: Just go online, digitize your business

SY Glow Cosmetics owner Lou Putian’s e-commerce journey started when her husband, an Overseas Filipino Worker, was sent home in 2020. “We had little to no income at the time. To continue paying our bills, I started selling bath and body care essentials haphazardly online until some of my loyal customers urged me to set up a Shopee store,” she shared.

In just 2 months after creating an account and learning how to market her products through the platform, her sales greatly increased. “From barely making ends meet then, I’ve now been able to fulfill my dream of purchasing houses for family members and even establishing my own warehouse,” she added.

Meanwhile, Shiela of Cacao Culture, already joined Shopee in 2017. However, she and her team only focused their efforts on the platform after the pandemic affected their operations. “Initially, our Shopee account was only meant to supplement our retail store sales. But when the pandemic hit, we were forced to close down our physical stores and outlets—prompting us to refocus our efforts on e-commerce,” she shared.

Since making the leap to e-commerce, Shiela grew her sales volume 7x. Cacao Culture’s growth and visibility on the platform also encouraged Shiela and her team to carry more Davao-based cacao brands and sell them nationwide.

Tip #2: Maximize Shopee’s convenience, seller tools, and nationwide logistics network

Besides the need to shift to a new income stream, what drew both sellers to Shopee was how easy it was to onboard into and sell on the platform. “With Shopee, all you need is a mobile phone and internet connection,” shared Lou. “The convenience that Shopee offers allows entrepreneurs like me to manage my own business and care for my family, all from the comfort of my own home.”

Having benefited from the seamless Shopee experience to easily bring sellers online, Shiela also highlighted that growing and sustaining one’s business is another story and different kind of challenge. Fortunately, Shopee offers tools like insights and marketing solutions to help sellers further their business growth and visibility. Moreover, Shopee’s continuous logistics expansion nationwide also allows sellers like Shiela to reach more customers.

“As a Davao-based seller, I found it challenging to sell my products online and attract more buyers at the beginning. Through Shopee’s establishment of more hubs in Mindanao and the tools on the platform’s Marketing Center, I was able to attract more customers nationwide by setting up promotions, discounts, and vouchers,” she said.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines said, “It is heartwarming to hear Lou and Shiela’s success stories as it is a testament to what sellers are capable of achieving on Shopee’s platform. Through seller education activities, continuous advancement of platform features, nationwide hub expansion, and other initiatives, we strengthen our commitment to deliver a safe and convenient online shopping experience for both our customers and sellers, no matter where they are in the Philippines.”

If you want to grow your business online and enjoy the numerous benefits of e-commerce, start your online selling journey with Shopee today. Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Madiskarte Moms PH celebrates Filipina entrepreneurial spirit at the first-ever Gawad Madiskarte

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PLDT Home Biz honors Filipina mompreneurs on International Women’s Day

 

Unsung heroes. In the past two years of the pandemic, that’s what our moms have proven to be.

 

Despite bearing the brunt of COVID-19’s impact in the labor sector (many of whom lost their jobs or suffered pay cuts), these women made sure their family needs are taken care of by finding alternative ways of providing for their households.

 

For many, this meant going out of their comfort zones and starting their own online businesses. Based on data from Investing in Women, one in four micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines is owned by a woman. And this number has only risen during the pandemic with more than 88,000 new e-commerce businesses registered just in 2020.

 

Recognizing their immense contribution to their families as well as the potential of online home businesses in pushing for economic recovery, PLDT Home and a group of Filipino mompreneurs launched Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) last September 2020.

 

MMPH is an online community where moms can get a head start on their own online home businesses or get tips and know-how to grow and expand their side hustles. Now with more than 98,000 members from all over the Philippines, MMPH has become a safe space where moms could exchange best practices, share experiences, and motivate each other to pursue their passions while also becoming financially independent. The community provides members with a 24/7 virtual venue of relevant information and networking opportunities to help mompreneurs kickstart their own online home businesses.

 

Gawad Madiskarte 2022: Pagkilala sa Tagumpay ng Madiskarteng Pinay

 

To recognize the hard work of Filipino mompreneurs and celebrate their success, MMPH is holding its first ever annual awards – Gawad Madiskarte 2022: Pagkilala sa Tagumpay ng Madiskarteng Pinay – this coming March 2022.

 

Powered by PLDT Home Biz, the annual awards ceremony is a tribute to the Filipina entrepreneurial spirit. Inviting moms of smarts and style to a big virtual gathering, Gawad Madiskarte salutes the achievements of mompreneurs who have created and grown their online businesses amid an economically challenging pandemic — armed only with their drive and personal diskarte. The special awarding ceremony fittingly happens on March 8, 2022, which is International Women’s Day, hoping to inspire other moms and women to start their own businesses from home as well.

 

Gawad Madiskarte introduces two main award categories: The Start-Up Division, which honors mompreneurs who have bravely started their online side hustles (at least six months operation) despite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, and The Scale Up Division, which recognizes those who successfully started and maintained their businesses for at least 13 months.

 

Awards in the Start-Up category include Diskarteng Solid (Strongest Start-Up Business Model) for those who have developed a business model that reflects their vision and gives exceptional customer value; Diskarteng Malikhain (Most Innovative Product) for those whose creative minds have brought forth fresh and unique products and services; and Diskarteng Eco-Friendly (Most Green Business) for those who have made conscious efforts to be socially responsible and environmentally friendly in their business.

 

Meanwhile, the Scale-Up division includes awards for Diskarteng Angat (Fastest-Growing Business) for those who have achieved exceptional growth with their robust vision and strategy; Diskarteng Digital (Best Multi-Channel Business), for businesses that have capitalized on the benefits of a multi-channel approach; and Diskarteng May Puso (Best Social Enterprise), for those whose goal meant giving back and empowering communities through their businesses. (The Scale Up Division entrants are required to have either a physical or e-commerce shop, and supporting documents including a DTI Permit and Barangay Certificate.)

 

A special award, the Diskarteng HomeBiz (Mompreneur’s Choice Award), will be given to the exceptional mompreneur whose business success story has greatly inspired others to do the same.

 

Gawad Madiskarte will award each winning mompreneur a P100,000 cash prize, a one-year PLDT Home Biz Plan, and a laptop to help them go further in their side hustle.

 

To add prestige to the event, Gawad Madiskarte has commissioned award-winning sculptor and contemporary artist Glenn Cagandahan for customized trophies as part of the major prizes. Cagandahan is known for his expressionist works featuring farmers, their family on carabaos, and other rural images that bring to mind the Filipino’s unwavering sense of hard work.

 

For more information on Gawad Madiskarte 2022, join the Madiskarte Moms PH group at https://bit.ly/JoinMMPH2.

Beauty entrepreneur Joby Linsangan-Moreno turns 41 with a grateful heart

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Joby Linsangan-Moreno, dubbed as The Orange Lady, is the beautypreneur behind the network of Orange Blush Salons, with several branches in Luzon and Metro Manila.

Turning 41 today April 8, 2021, the "Orange Lady" celebrates amazing life with many social and business activities, entrepreneurial success, having Beauty and the Biz e-book, new look of Orange Blush salons, beauTITA cosmetics,  PAK Foundation, and more. Joby is the host of the Beauty and the Biz show on ABS CBN News Channel. She also manages The Podium Special Events Center and the NYORK Café (both in Cabanatuan City). She's a resident host at Go Negosyo. Joby has been involved with various CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities nationwide. 

Joby opens the PAK Foundation, Parlorista at Barbero Kami Foundation last year, with the vision to be the first foundation that unifies salon owners and workers, barbers, and other related beauty and wellness institutions. The foundation is a social business enterprise (SBE), that has specific social objectives that serve our primary purpose. 

PAK is the first organization that unifies salon owners and workers, barbers and other related beauty and wellness institutions. “It seeks to prioritize, improve, and safeguard the lives and the welfare of our Parloristas (Hairdressers, Estheticians, Massage therapists, Nail Technicians, salon receptionists), Barbers and their families."

Beauty & the Biz: Your inspirational guide in building your own beauty empire

Beauty and the Biz e-book, as seen on ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) and published by ABS-CBN Books, is now available internationally.

The  Beauty and the Biz e-book gives you a Stress-free guide and Tips on how to Build your Own Beauty Empire featuring local beauty entrepreneurs, and Thoughts on How to live a joyful/balanced personal-business/career life!

Dreaming of putting up a hair, eyelash salon, or a nail or waxing salon? Barberdashery or perhaps owning a skincare business, or even becoming a makeup artist? How about distributing your own clothing, jewelry or accessories line? Or even take a look at the wellness side of beauty businesses on how we can help consumers stay fit and healthy, and happy? 

Through this bookazine (book/magazine) you can learn from these self-made beauty entrepreneurs and how they made it to the top. They will guide you along the way as they share their personal experiences and tips on building your own beauty brand. And exclusive tips from one of her mentors, Tito Boy Abunda.

Beauty and the Biz e-book, published by ABS-CBN Books, is now available on AMAZON! (3.99 USD) Download for FREE from April 8-12,2021!

"The 10 commandments of the Orange Lady"

In the Beauty and the Biz e-book, Joby shared her own "The 10 commandments of the Orange Lady: Thoughts on living a joyful and balanced personal business life!"

1.  Put God First In Everything You Do.

2.  Treat Others The Way You Want To Be Treated.

3.  Spend Quality And Undivided Time With Your Loved Ones.

4.  Love Your Family Unconditionally.

5.  Dream Big. Start Small.

6.  Be Proactive. Focus.

7.  Do Not Complain.

8.  Feel Beautiful. Be Beautiful. 

9.  Count Your Blessings.

10.  Find Your Purpose And Seize It. Let Your Light Shine.

Grateful Mission n Life

Since the enhanced community quarantine took effect, Joby didn’t think twice in extending help to her employees and other people in need. "I believe that God has called me for a mission. I try to live every single day with that verse in mind. I think the reason why I became a businesswoman instead of a doctor is, for me, to bless more people with the work that I do.”

"I have come to realize that living with a great sense of purpose makes life worth living, more meaningful. I have found my purpose in life and have tried to live by this verse from Matthew 5:16, my mantra in life, ‘Make your light shine so that others may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.’

What great an inspirational, and sharing also what I always read from Joby's greetings, "AMDG" - Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam means "for the greater glory of God.”

For more info on Joby visit the Orange Blush Official Facebook page or her official FB and IG accounts. You may also visit Orange Blush Salon at Sparks Place Cubao.

Busy Nurse Coffee for a fairer, slimmer you

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Are you looking for a healthier alternative to your favorite coffee drink? There is one coffee brand in the market that not only helps you lose weight; it also helps whiten your skin while maintaining your skin glow.

The Busy Nurse 20 in 1 Coffee Mix is probably the first slimming and whitening coffee mix in the market which contains glutathione and collagen which helps achieve these two goals. It is the brainchild of Mary Rose Yap Zamora, an entrepreneur who is in the business of developing and selling beauty products.

“We started Busy Nurse when we realized that many of the buyers in our shops were looking for healthy coffee but we had nothing to offer them,” Zamora said. “Since all of our products were beauty products, we thought of coming up with a coffee that would make users healthier and prettier.”

As its name implies, the coffee contains 20 ingredients. These ingredients are acai berries, aloe vera, coffee, collagen, grape seed, Green Tea, Goji Berry, Garcinia Cambogia, Inulin Fiber, Lemon, L- Carnitine, glutathione, Mangosteen, Moringa, non dairy creamer, spirulina, senna leaves, stevia leaves, turmeric and vitamin C.

“When you bring all these ingredients together, Busy Nurse Coffee will help burn fat and boost your energy and metabolism,” Zamora said. “The product provides you with natural detoxification, is rich in anti-oxidants and is useful in regulating bowel movement. That’s how beneficial this product is.”

Vitamin C, for example, boosts your immunity and prevents iron deficiencies. Lemon, on the other hand, is a good antioxidant that removes free radicals from the body while L Carnitine is a metabolism booster that aids in weight loss.

“Where in the market can you see a product that combines the best qualities of 20 ingredients and comes up with a coffee that not only whitens your skin but also helps you lose weight?” Zamora said. “That is Busy Nurse Coffee for you.”

The product was introduced to the market in May 2019 and so far, it has almost 3,000 local and international distributors. In such a short span of time, it has already been able to reap a number of significant rewards for Zamora.

Among the awards it has received so far include the 14th Gawad Pilipino Outstanding Herbal Coffee of the Year; Golden Dragon Awards of Excellence for the “Most Trusted Herbal Coffee Mix Products Provider;” International Icon Awards for Business Leadership and Achievers for being the “Most Trusted Herbal Coffee Mix Provider;” Gawad America Awards for 2019 Most Outstanding Filipino in the Field of Online Entrepreneurship.”

The product has also been featured in the ABS CBN shows “My Puhunan” hosted by Karen Davila and “Swak na Swak Ang Good Vibes Show ng Bayan.” Korina Sanchez also had the opportunity to meet the brand through an online interview Zamora was also interviewed by Korina Sanchez.

“These awards are a testament of the hard work that we put into the development of Busy Nurse Coffee,” Zamora said. “These awards also recognize the many benefits that our product has to offer and we would not get the attention of these very well respected journalists if it was not a good product.”

For more information and inquiries, please follow the official Facebook page of Busy Nurse Shopline Main and their youtube channel Busynurse Shopline Official.

 

Ghie Pangilinan opens 2020 with successful “Skin Magical Learn and Earn Caravan” and Skin Magical Cares

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The award winning entrepreneur and recognized as Most Influential Entrepreneur of the Year under the 14th Gawad Pilipino Awards, Ghie Pangilinan of Skin Magical knows how to start the new year with a bang.

Ghie Pangilinan, the CEO and the woman who has grown Skin Magical to be the best distributors of beauty products in the country in a period of four short years. 

On the second day of 2020, Pangilinan kicked off the First Skin Magical Caravan in her hometown of Morong, Rizal. About 150 people took part in the caravan where they learned about Skin Magical, how they could start their own business and how online selling works.

“I really want to share this business with as many people as possible,” Pangilinan said. “I give them tips on how to succeed in this business and I always tell them that they should treat their clients as friends, that they should focus on this business and that they should remain loyal to the brand.”

Pangilinan added that she will never get tired of sharing her story because if it were not for Skin Magical, her husband Jerry might still be an overseas Filipino worker.

“It takes perseverance, determination and a lot of hard work to make it big in the online business,” she said. “You also have to be honest in all your dealings with your partners and clients.”

The highlight of the caravan, which also took place in Quezon City, Bulacan, Pampanga, Caloocan and Laguna for the month of January, was the Live selling portion titled “Gandang Palaban Reseller.” The participants showed off their selling skills and the winners were awarded reseller packages.

The second wave of the Skin Magical Caravan is currently ongoing. For the month of February, the caravan has already made waves in Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Tarlac and Bataan. 

The Skin Magical team took a break from its caravan activities when Taal Volcano erupted last January 12, 2020. Through Skin Magical Cares, the team led by the Pangilinan couple, responded to those in need by conducting relief operations in the towns of Bauan, Tanauan and Alitagtag, all in Batangas. More than 400 families benefitted from the relief operations.

“We know how it feels to be down and out and taking part in relief operations is our way of helping our fellow Filipinos to literally rise up from the ashes of Taal,” Pangilinan said. “There is only one way to go for those who are already down and that way is to go up. We are just doing our share to help them overcome this calamity.”

This year, Pangilinan is scheduled to launch her own book and Skin Magical brochure to be published by ABS-CBN Publishing.

“Please watch out for the launch of my book because I will share with you tips on how to make your own Skin Magical business a success,” she said. “We will keep you posted.” 

LBC Powers SMEs with Innovative Business Solutions

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Mercato Centrale wins SME of the Year at the 10thAsia CEO Awards

The Philippine entrepreneurial scene is growing, with many business-minded individuals seeking to sell their products and services through online tools or by participating in high touch-point events to reach a wider market. With its bigger portfolio of services, LBC is reaching out to the proprietors of these Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), powered by its innovative business solutions and its legacy of reliability within its nationwide network of services.

LBC has always been a partner for the Filipino enterprise, providing them scalable tools such as COP/COD, Warehousing, and other logistics solutions that are custom-fit for their needs as they grow their business and achieve their dreams. 

Since the company has always been about moving passions and businesses forward, it continuously seeks to promote excellence among the country’s SMEs. LBC Express recently sponsored the SME Company of the Year category of the Asia CEO Awards, which is open to any profit-making independent company employing between 10 to 500 employees that have achieved important success. 

This year, Mercato Centrale was chosen as the Asia CEO Awards SME Company of the Year from among other nominees that included Ask Lex PH Academy, BoteCentral, Go Virtual Assistants, Innoveterra Properties, Sante Barley, and Sprout Solutions. 

RJ Ledesma, Mercato Centrale co-founder says that they are honored with the recognition of their mission to help grow the Philippine food scene and empower more Filipino food entrepreneurs. The company has had to pivot within its nine years, to reach a higher goal, he shares. More than a food market, it has grown to become an incubator for food businesses. They have since started to engineer an ecosystem designed to help small food entrepreneurs grow their business with assistance in the more technical aspects such as microfinance, marketing, or logistics and e-commerce. “We are happy to grow with them through partners such as LBC that have personalized solutions for small vendors, and these are logistics solutions that are ideal for this scale.” 

Mercato Centrale, Ledesma says, is a business model that helps other businesses grow. “We hope that with this award, we can have more vendors come on board, so we can help more people to grow their business ideas and become the next big success story.” Their next big step is to set up food halls in malls and mixed-use properties as their way of offering more food businesses a place to sell their products. 

LBC’s Chief Marketing Officer, Javier C. Mantecon says that being a part of the Asia CEO Awards, through its SME Company of the Year is a way for the company to reach and inspire more Filipino entrepreneurs. The goal is to partner with them through the reliable and scalable services of the logistics company. 

“Our participation for this annual event is one of the many ways to stay in touch with entrepreneurs inside and outside of our country, no matter how big or small they are,” adds LBC’s President, Miguel Angel A. Camahort. “We would like to congratulate all of the winners and the nominees for this event. We believe that everyone who was part of the 10th Asia CEO Awards is moving the Philippine economy forward.”

With a growing network of over 6,400 locations, partners, and agents in over 30 countries, LBC is committed to moving lives, businesses, and communities and delivering smiles around the world, and it has expanded, digitized, and scaled its services to support SMEs, as a partner that is present at every step of the way.

For those who are interested to become food entrepreneurs and be part of Mercato Centrale, send a private message at https://www.facebook.com/mercatocentrale

The First-ever SO SHOP! A Social Sellers Bazaar Empowered by LBC

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Leading logistics company LBC Express Inc. held Shopping and Learning in One: First-ever So Shop! Bazaar brings hundreds of online sellers together last October 5 at Function Room 4, SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City. 

In its effort to empower online business owners, as the So Shop! Bazaar,  LBC highlights commitment to empowering MSME's.

More and more Filipinos are starting to venture into micro, small and medium enterprises nowadays. With technology, anyone can be an entrepreneur and it has served as one of the personal goals for a lot of us - from fresh grads to millennials to retirees. However, starting your own online business may be a daunting task but with the right support, succeeding in it is not a farfetched dream.

The bazaar brought together over 100 online business owners, thousands of shoppers, industry speakers, and influencers in one venue, making it both a shopping and learning experience in one. It also gave social sellers the opportunity to meet and connect with their customers in person, showcase their products, and transact using LBC's Cash on Pick-up (COP) and Cash on Delivery (COD) services.

"With more and more Filipinos setting up their businesses online, we at LBC, believe that it's high time to bring online businesses together, in one venue, and get to interact with their buyers live. "

"So Shop! is our commitment to empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises in the country," said Oliver C. Valentin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Philippine Branch Operations of LBC Express Inc.

LBC's COP and COD services are designed to make online purchasing easier and more convenient for shoppers. With COP, LBC's over 1,400 branches can serve as pick-up points for buyers to get the products they bought online while COD allows them to get it right at their doorstep.

So! Shop for all your lifestyle must-haves

Featuring diverse products from over a hundred booths, So Shop! became a haven for a weekend to shopping enthusiasts and people with various interests.

For techies and gadget lovers, online gadget stores such as Kimstore, Juan Gadget, Droud Hero, and JBL Store PH provided exclusive deals and discounts. Beauty and makeup fans went gaga over the vanous shops from Korean and Japanese beauty brands to sustainable beauty products.

Those who love customized lifestyle pieces were also able to see their favorite online shops making it a perfect venue to shop for personalized gifts including travel sets, accessories, and oven kitchen wares. Moms who were on the lookout for early Christmas gifts brought home items that are perfect for the whole family.

So Shop! also treated the shoppers to a host of surprises including Mystery Box gifts from participating social sellers and gadgets raffled off by LBC.

Growing one's online business

Aside from the shopping experience, business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs also learned from a lineup of industry speakers, business owners, and influencers who gave talks on topics relevant to growing their business

Facebook Philippines Head of Agency Liam Capati showcased the power of Facebook ads and how it can help businesses reach their customers especially at a time when cutting through the clutter in the online space is crucial. Canva Community Team Lead Gladys Lacorte emphasized the importance of  having visually appealing social media pages through designs that represent a business personality.

Creative Boss Founder Rachell Araja-De Luna knows very well why a website is a must-have to an online business, with it being a repository of one's products online. Through her talk "DIY Your Dream Website," Araja-De Luna discussed the simple ways a budding entrepreneur can create a website without breaking the bank. The power of online communities cannot be dismissed too-this is what PLDT Vice-President for Digital Strategy and Consumer Disruptive Business Carlo Ople highlighted in his talk. Ople shared why businesses should be present on the digital space and how to effectively tap online communities to reach a specific target market.

Not only was So Shop! a learning-filled experience, it was inspiring too with panel discussions and success stories that moved the audience.

Celebrity mom, wife, and entrepreneur Neri Miranda talked about her businesses and her role as a homemaker. Miranda, owning multiple businesses including Neri's Gourmet Tuyo, online bedding and accessories store. Very Neri, and an events place in Tagaytay called Neri's Not So Secret Garden, gave mompreneurs tips on how to juggle it all. 

Content creator Wil Dasovich, who owns online merch store MerchBy alongside other influencer friends, shared how he remained authentic throughout the years of being a known digital personality. Dasovich also sold products at his MerchBy booth at So Shop!

A panel discussion on the social impact of online businesses featured Jamico Jamlang, founder of sustainable businesses The Bamboo Company and Chesca De Mesa, co-founder and managing director of Refuse PH. Joining them was Havas Media Ortega Head of Data and Analytics Phil Tiongson who gave the audience a glimpse of Havas' global study centering around consumers mindful consumption.

Women entrepreneurs also took center stage with Kimstore Founder Kim Lato and Neon Island Founders Alyssa Gibbs and Aira Medina. They shared what it's like starting and growing a business, as women, and how they overcame the challenges that came with it.

Hosted by 101.1 Yes FM DJ Rico Panyero and Love Radio DJ Raqi Terra, So Shop! was not just a star-studded bazaar but one that has taught online business owners new techniques to move their businesses forward.

Javier Mantecon, Chief Marketing Officer of LBC Express-Global Marketing, reiterated the company's commitment to move lives, including those of the social sellers. "As the e-commerce community continues to grow, LBC remains your partner. We hope that this is just the beginning of our long partnership. We want to help you take that move, wherever that may be."