A must-watch series for business owners! Maya Business puts the spotlight on homegrown entrepreneurs with "Scale Up: The Show"

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In partnership with Shopify and PLDT Home Biz, Maya Business presents "Scale Up: The Show," the newest local series featuring 15 Filipino entrepreneurs going head-to-head for a chance to break out and ramp up their business.

Viewers will be treated to the amazing journey of the founders of Tatumi Arts and Crafts, Dimension Artisan Chocolate, Diwa Leather Crafts, AnthroServ Inc., RDC Convenience Store, Extreme Car Wash and Detailing, Jhopay Curbi Salon, Justine Kent B. Faustino (fitness supplements brand), The Art of Mar (stationery shop), Oh La. La. Crepe Cakes, Le Petit Bouquet Manille, Cactus and Canvas PH, Klik Media Group, GFF Bath Essentials, Ili Likhaan Ceramics.

In every episode, these inspiring entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to present and get valuable advice from business mentors Boozy Co-Founder & CEO Miguel Guerrero, Tiny Buds Co-founder Lorin Tan, and Maya Chief Marketing Officer Pepe Torres.

Among the 15 entrepreneurs, five will be chosen as finalists and they will be granted P150,000 seed capital. From the five finalists, the Scale Up winner will receive the grand prize of P500,000, together with mentorship and support from Maya Business.

Scale Up: The Show teaser: https://www.facebook.com/ONENewsPH/videos/455460309342493

"Scaling up is one of the biggest challenges for small business owners. At Maya, we're addressing this by providing payment tools, business management solutions, easier access to capital, and a wider market through our ecosystem. Filipinos are naturally entrepreneurial, and we hope to inspire other aspiring business owners to make their move with Maya Business so they can grow their businesses further," said Pepe Torres, Chief Marketing Officer of Maya.

As the all-in-one growth partner of enterprises in the Philippines, Maya Business provides entrepreneurs with convenient digital payment solutions and banking services under one integrated platform.

For example, MSMEs using Shopify can avail of the Maya Checkout Plugin for seamless payment acceptance of credit, debit, and prepaid cards as well as e-wallets. They can use Maya Disbursements for their employee payroll and supplier payments.

The six "Scale Up: the Show" episodes will air every 7PM on July 18, July 25, August 1, August 8, August 15, and August 22. Catch them on the One News Facebook page and get inspired by the modern entrepreneurs' passion, hard work, and possibilities with Maya Business.

Maya Business is the leading digital payments processor in the Philippines, enabling all types of businesses to accept online and face-to-face payments. It is powered by the country's only end-to-end digital payments company, PayMaya Philippines, and Maya Bank for digital banking services. 

For more information and updates from the country's all-in-one money platform, visit maya.ph.

CaSoBe (Calatagan South Beach), a Dreamy BeachTown for Entrepreneurs Where Working from Anywhere Means Working from Paradise

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The freedom to take one’s business wherever one goes is a perk of entrepreneurial life. The pandemic has even fast-tracked the new norm to take the office wherever one opts to park his laptop. If working from anywhere has become the lifestyle of choice of entrepreneurs, where else can they work other than the seaside paradise of CaSoBe (Calatagan South Beach), one of Landco’s latest BeachTowns in Batangas.

Luckily for entrepreneurs, the 15-hectare CaSoBe progresses towards completion. The master-planned development offers mix-use residential and commercial lots situated in the rising business hub and beach tourist destination. The development features wide open spaces and beautiful promenades, with parks and retail landscapes.

Setting it apart from other beach properties, CaSoBe elevates the resort lifestyle with inviting details such as blue roads, street art, and creative lamp posts. Hospitality amenities are already fully operational and managed by Millennial Resorts. The 300-capacity event space called Canopy was recently opened to serve the growing tourism market of Calatagan.

The sprawling BeachTown is only three hours away from Metro Manila and is complete with a strong WI-FI connection, modern infrastructure, and resort amenities.

The development is close to numerous golf courses, polo fields, and tourist attractions which earned Calatagan the moniker of being the playground of the affluent. Local facilities such as a hospital, public market, pharmacy, school, and chapel are likewise easily accessible.

Work-Life Balance for Entrepreneurs

All the lots at CaSoBe are literally within steps to the long stretch of powdery white sand beach. The property’s blue pavements are pleasing to the eye and in harmony with the environment of expansive clear skies and azure waters. There are tree-lined bike lanes and pathways parallel and leading to the shores.

Harbour Estates are mix-use lots offered within CaSoBe. Entrepreneurs can live a healthy lifestyle and build their dream homes amid Calatagan’s rich history and famed sunset by the beach backdrop.

Transforming the landscape of Calatagan, entrepreneurs can invest in a property along the retail row and wear the hat of aspiring hoteliers or restaurateurs when they establish their bed and breakfast or cozy little café or restaurant to cater to the tourism market. They can also put up a shop for art workshops and yoga retreats, or a business for water sports enthusiasts.

CaSoBe is also poised to be a thriving creative, business, and tech community. Startup companies can engage in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.

One can network and hustle by day, and live the vacation life with family and friends in between breaks, by night, and on weekends in the postcard-perfect setting of CaSoBe, with its stunning sunsets.

Resort Lifestyle

Enhancing the resort lifestyle experience in CaSoBe, Millennial Resorts offers premium hospitality amenities. It manages the unconventional accommodations of the surreal capsule-like rooms of the Cocoons with exteriors painted with murals depicting marine life and Crusoe Cabins which are repurposed container vans that are rustic-looking huts on the outside but are contemporary rooms with modern amenities, with options for beachfront and garden view.

Millennial Resorts also feature Aquaria, a water park with a three-story pool slide, Captain Barbozza restaurant and bar, and Canopy, the newly-opened event space.

To ensure the continuous productivity of entrepreneurs, the Colony will soon rise as a modern and hip beachside co-working space.

MILLI, the Millennial Resorts’ digital service app provides seamless reservations and transactions on property.

Future-proof investment

Entrepreneurs who will invest in the residential or mix-use lots of CaSoBe have the benefit of enjoying the anticipated increase of their investment’s market value as proven by Landco’s track record of property value appreciation in Punta Fuego, Batangas.

Eco-Friendly BeachTown

CaSoBe is a sustainable development envisioned to contribute to the quality of leisure tourism and property development targeting environment, economic, and social sustainability. CaSoBe is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-registered and Millennial Resorts, the operator of its hospitality amenities, is the first EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies)-certified resort in the country. Various CSR and sustainability activities are undertaken for the conservation of marine sanctuary and community assistance in CaSoBe and its vicinity.

Landco is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and is known for pioneering premium landscapes for more than 30 years. For more information about the Landco BeachTown CaSoBe, visit landco.ph or FB page @LandcoPacificCorporation or view the official video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCozyNNq51E.

Shopee expands hubs in Visayas to deliver a better shopping experience to Filipinos

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Cebuano shoppers can now enjoy faster delivery and better deals. Hear about the highlights of their e-commerce journey with Shopee.

For many Filipinos, online shopping has become an integral part of their daily lives, as they continue to enjoy the numerous benefits of e-commerce. 

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, recently launched a slew of initiatives with the aim of bringing a fun and seamless online shopping experience to even more Filipinos across the country. Part of Shopee’s efforts includes the continued expansion of its Shopee Xpress hubs across the Visayas region. By establishing more hubs in Cebu City, Bogo, Moalboal, and other areas in Visayas, Shopee has expanded its serviceable areas, allowing Visayan shoppers to enjoy a wider product assortment, as well as faster and cheaper delivery.

Through this expansion, Shopee was also able to introduce Visayas Barato Deals—special offers, shipping discounts, and more promos exclusively for Bisaya shoppers, in line with the launch of its 6.6-7.7 Mid-Year Sale. “We have always believed in the transformative power of technology to connect buyers and sellers within the community, no matter where they are. By expanding our serviceable areas within the Visayas region, we aim to give our Visayan shoppers a seamless online shopping experience at Shopee, as we go through every step of this exciting e-commerce journey together,” shared Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines.

In line with these efforts to improve the overall online shopping experience for Filipinos across the country, four Cebuano shoppers shared about the benefits they’ve enjoyed throughout their e-commerce journey with Shopee.

A rewarding shopping experience that offers great value for money

Grashelle, 35, became an online shopper when she found out she was pregnant. As an expectant mother, online shopping made things more convenient, and with Shopee, she was able to get the best deals. “Cebuanos like myself generally look for products that offer the best value for money. With its lower shipping fees, cheaper prices, and wide variety of products, Shopee has become my e-commerce platform of choice. Compared to when I first started shopping on Shopee, I noticed that shipping in Cebu has gotten faster, and that makes everything even more convenient.”

Online shopping made easy and fun

With his tight schedule as a physical therapist, Vincent, 27, needed an easier way to shop, and that’s when he discovered Shopee. “Once I got the hang of using the Shopee app, everything else followed. Apart from shopping, I got hooked on the games, especially Shopee Bubble and Shopee Candy. Shopee not only gives me a convenient way to shop, it’s also a fun in-app experience with all the games, flash deals, and more.”

Patricia, 26, started shopping online in 2017 after hearing about all its benefits from her friends, and she has been a Shopee user ever since. From pet care needs to fashion finds, she always has a great time shopping on Shopee. “My favorite part about Shopee is the excitement you get when you’re waiting for your parcel. I check the status of my order every day because I love the feeling of anticipation when waiting for my Shopee parcel to arrive. It’s also fun to window shop online, and add items to my cart that I can’t wait to check out.”

Bigger discounts and better deals on Double Day sales

As an enthusiast of custom PC building, Ernest, 19, purchases all his PC parts and tech needs on Shopee. Since most of his orders are electronics, he often shops during the Double Day sales so he can get bigger discounts and exclusive vouchers. “With the upcoming 7.7 Mid-Year Sale, I’m looking forward to the lower shipping fees in Visayas, since it used to be more expensive in Cebu. I’ve always been a big Shopee fan and with my experience through the years, I’ve been able to find everything I need and save more with Shopee’s deals and offers.”

Don’t miss exclusive shipping discounts, 10% off vouchers, ₱66 and ₱77 deals, and more at Shopee’s 6.6-7.7 Mid-Year Sale!

For These Three Women Sellers, E-Commerce Meant Empowerment

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Shopee sellers Anjelica, Emerald, and Shine share their stories on how they’ve become stronger, more independent, and more successful women in the industry

More women in e-commerce continue to excel in the industry and are stepping out of their comfort zone to pursue their dreams and transform their lives. On March 8, the world will celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) and this year’s campaign theme, #BreakTheBias, promotes gender equality and a community that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusivity. In celebration of IWD, three local female Shopee sellers share how they overcame the challenges they faced and how they’re breaking barriers. They hope that their stories may serve as an inspiration to other aspiring women entrepreneurs venturing into the world of e-commerce.

Embracing the Shift to Online Selling

Setting up an online business requires a lot of focus and can be intimidating. Shine de Luna was pregnant when she started selling online, and eventually decided to focus on her online business when she gave birth so that she can spend more time taking care of her child. She knew it was risky and faced many difficulties when she first set up her online shop. “I had zero orders in the beginning, but I persevered, pushed forward, and didn’t give up. I made sure I boosted my posts every four hours and replied to inquiries fast. It took months before my business picked up the pace, and now, I’m getting a hundred orders daily.” In addition to traveling to Divisoria to source products to sell, she also had to tend to her child and bring them along.

The same goes for Anjelica Tullao, who started with zero ratings and zero items sold. “Establishing the customer’s trust was my main obstacle. For them to consider buying from my shop, they need to trust me and that my products are of high quality,” she said.

Emerald Sin, on the other hand, was already selling her pre-loved clothes in college to finance her studies. She invested in a brick-and-mortar store located around the University Belt and shifted online to cater to her clients who were going home to their provinces.

Rising Above the Challenges One Step at a Time

Despite the hardships faced, Shine, Emerald, and Anjelica rose above the challenges, determined to succeed no matter what. For Shine, not only was she able to provide for her family, but she also became a channel of blessing to the few workers she employed to get her business running. “I am grateful to my team for helping me through it all. It was risky, but it was worth it because I can also help others during this difficult time.” It was also through online selling that she was able to help achieve her parent’s lifetime dream of owning their own house.

Both Emerald and Anjelica focused on how to market their products effectively. Emerald branched out and became a direct manufacturer, hiring local seamstresses to produce high-quality fashion products, while Anjelica maximized the in-app features of Shopee to improve customer trust and retention. “Whenever I encounter issues, Live Chat is always available to answer all my queries. I am also grateful to the Shopee team who helped me become a ‘Preferred Seller’ and recommended me to join big campaigns.” With her shop’s good performances, she went from being a one-man team to having seven additional team members.  “With our shop’s growth, we were able to expand our office, rent a warehouse, and purchase two vehicles for personal and professional use.”

Supporting Women in E-commerce

This International Women’s Day, Shine, Emerald, and Anjelica encourage other women to step up, break stereotypes, and reach for their dreams. “I’m encouraging those who are hesitant, to take a leap of faith. I believe that we can do so much more. Don’t let the circumstances stop you from being successful and from helping others. A successful journey always starts with someone determined to overcome anything life throws at us,” said Emerald.

Shine, on the other hand, is proud to be both a mother and a successful entrepreneur. “Sobrang saya ko kasi natupad ko ang pangarap ng aking mga magulang na magkaroon ng sariling bahay sa tulong ng pagiging online seller ko.” (I’m very happy because I was able to fulfill my parent’s dream of having our own house, and this was made possible by being an online seller). She also adds that women should pursue their dreams and work hard towards it. “Huwag kang aasa sa magulang or partner mo. Naging makahulugan ang pagiging anak at ina ko dahil nabigay ko sa kanila ang pangangailangan nila mula sa negosyo ko.” (Don’t just expect things from your partner or parents. I feel fulfilled as a mother and daughter since I can provide my family what they need thanks to my online business.)

Anjelica also pushes aspiring female entrepreneurs to grab the opportunity. “Find your own purpose, challenge yourself, and pursue your goals. Being a successful woman in business means being your authentic self and showing up, day after day, to get to work your dreams.”

Celebrate and support local sellers like Anjelica, Emerald, and Shine at the 3.15 International Women’s Day Sale this coming March 8. Here, users can look forward to 90% off on select categories like Lifestyle, Fashion, and many more. For those who are considering online selling and want to explore the evolving digital space, they can Get Started on Shopee right now.

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.

Local Products Fuel Business Growth and Empower Communities

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Winners of Shopee Celebrates Local campaign share how locally-made products impact the lives of other Filipinos

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, continues to support local sellers through the #TatakPinoy: Shopee Celebrates Local campaign. During the campaign, Shopee held a contest where users voted for their favorite among 12 Filipino sellers. Uniq.mnl, Chelssydresstaytay, and Mighty Clean emerged as the top three winners, where they not only exemplified excellence in their businesses but also supported the community by providing job opportunities amidst difficult times.

Sharing their success to empower others

Sisters Ira and Ireen Cruz have been in the garment industry for five years, but when the pandemic hit in March 2020, their business was greatly affected. Instead of cutting their losses and ceasing operations, the siblings decided to try selling online through Shopee. Their business flourished and they have been consistently hitting their sales targets. The shop’s significant growth also led to more employment opportunities for skilled Filipinos specializing in garments, a point of pride for the entrepreneurs.

Ira Cruz, Owner of Uniq.mnl, said, “It was such an honor to be part of the ‘Shopee Celebrates Local’ campaign. We are happy to be able to provide job opportunities to our community. It is the most rewarding experience of all and we are truly blessed with loyal staff. Since we started, we have grown the team from a handful to now over 50 staff members. We hope to pay it forward and be able to offer more jobs to help improve the livelihood of the people around us.”

In addition, they continue to encourage their team members, resellers, and other small business owners to explore and try out e-commerce and help others find a way to earn a living during this time.

Providing locally-made quality products for the Filipino household

Second runner-up Mighty Clean has been manufacturing household chemicals that fit the needs of every Filipino home since 2004. With a desire for continuous improvement through extensive research and development, Mighty Clean stays true to its promise of providing consumers with high-quality products at affordable prices.

Mico Cruz, Brand Manager at Mighty Clean, said, “We strive to create a difference in every Filipino’s household through high quality and value for money products. With Shopee’s support, we were able to grow and provide our customers with the kind of products and services that they deserve. ”

Like Uniq.mnl, Mighty Clean pivoted to e-commerce in March 2020– a move that allowed them to thrive as they reached even more customers nationwide. Through Shopee’s extensive seller support tools and initiatives, Mighty Clean is able to grow brand awareness through innovative ways, and attract more customers by giving them deals such as flash sales, vouchers, discount promotions, bundle deals, and many more.

Catering to the Filipina’s fashion needs

First runner-up Rochelle Estandarte started joining bazaars and night markets when she was still in college. Armed with her love for fashion and the help of her mother who has been in the industry for 20 years, she began her own clothing business in 2005.

Rochelle’s keen eye and ability to keep a pulse on Filipinas’ evolving fashion needs led to the growth of her sales and orders, as well as an increase in followers. After taking her business online in 2020, she was also able to hire more employees, giving other Filipinos an opportunity to earn and provide for their families amid the pandemic. She attributes her success to Shopee’s marketing tools, campaigns, and support from relationship managers who helped her and her team understand the industry easily.

Rochelle Estandarte, Owner of Chelssdresstaytay, said, “ We are very proud to market our locally-made apparel. We design our clothes with Filipinos in mind and are happy to say that our products are also well-loved by shoppers overseas as well. Since my mother has been in this business for the past 20 years, I picked up a few lessons on ladies’ fashion trends, allowing me to provide a wider variety of clothing pieces that Filipinas can enjoy wearing. We are also grateful for all the support we have received from Shopee and we strive to scale our business further on Shopee.”

These entrepreneurs are only three of the many MSMEs who found success and thrived on the e-commerce platform. At Shopee, sellers can leverage the extensive marketing tools, participate in monthly campaigns, and learn how to maximize the e-commerce landscape through proper guidance and support through the Shopee Seller Education Hub. For current and aspiring entrepreneurs looking to grow their business online, learn more about Getting Started on Shopee here.

Users Can Show their Appreciation For MSMEs Through ‘#TatakPinoy: Shopee Celebrates Local’

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Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, and Taiwan, continues to support local sellers and uplift the digital economy with the launch of the #TatakPinoy: Shopee Celebrates Local contest. From November 19 to December 5, 2021,  users can vote for and support their favorite sellers in time for the 12.12 Big Christmas Sale. 

#TatakPinoy: Shopee Celebrates Local recognizes 12 Filipino sellers who offer locally made products and their inspiring journeys to success with Shopee. Besides having to source and offer goods that are proudly Pinoy, the brand also shortlisted these entrepreneurs, who come from various categories such as lifestyle, fashion, and FMCG, based on shop ratings and number of reviews. 

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “As we rebound from the impact of the pandemic, we want to strengthen our efforts in aiding economic recovery. Supporting local sellers is a very impactful way to do that, and we want to rally our users to support these sellers as well. This is what Shopee Supports Local is for -- highlighting the local sellers in our platform, and giving our shoppers the opportunity to show their appreciation as well.” 

Supporting Local Sellers, Key to Aiding Economic Recovery

With the pandemic driving consumers to rely more on e-commerce platforms for their needs, more brands and sellers continue to embrace digitalization to sustain their livelihoods. Recently, the Philippines saw an increase of 12 million new digital consumers since the start of the pandemic, of which 63% are from non-metro areas. Shopee continues to improve the platform to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) catering to the needs of the Filipinos. 

The top three sellers, based on total user votes, will win gadget prizes that are useful for their online business. On top of that, theirs and a few other shortlisted sellers’ inspiring stories and sought-after products will be featured on Shopee Live on December 8 and 11.

Meanwhile, users who will participate in voting and share why they love their chosen seller on social media will have the chance to win special vouchers. 

Getting to Know the 12 Sellers 

Indianajanemnl
Launched in 2019, Jess opened a clothing store, Indianajanemnl, and went from a one-man shop and grew into a 30-person team this 2021. With the desire to build deeper connections with their consumers, she maximized Shopee Live and all its features. Through Shopee Live, she received customer feedback which helped them improve the store.

Chelssydresstaytay.ph
Considered as one of the pioneer stores in the well-known Taytay Tiangge, Rochelle of Chelssydresstaytay.ph decided to shift to online a few months before the pandemic hit. It proved to be a good move, with the shop hitting its targets consistently. 

Luxeessential

As a form of self-care, Hani of Luxe Essential decided to put up an online store where she can earn while staying at home. Despite the ups and downs of online selling, her determination eventually paid off, and can now support not only her family but her staff’s family as well. 

Uniq.mnl

Uniq.mnl is owned by Ireen and Ira, two sisters who combined their stores into one. Transitioning wasn’t easy and they worked hard to maintain customer satisfaction by utilizing Shopee’s in-app tools. With clear goals, the shop ended 2020 with an 8-figure gross profit.

Orangeandpeach

Orange and Peach Philippines is a 100% Filipino Mom and Baby Essentials Store owned by Jasslyn. She struggled to convert sales due to some limitations but even with the setback, it didn’t stop her from trying, and eventually gained the consumers’ trust. 

Randashoesofficial

Randashoesofficial started as a small shoe manufacturing facility in 2014 and Ric joined Shopee as a seller in 2019, making it a full-time commitment. The challenges pushed him to do better and are now growing on the platform - even surpassing their previous sales. 

Mightyclean

Wanting to share their expertise in the homecare industry, Mico from Mightyclean started his Shopee Seller journey during the height of the pandemic last year. Even though he had become one of the best-selling brands on the platform, he never stopped learning new things and continued to sharpen his entrepreneurial skills.  

Dnemnlph

Dana of dnemnlph started selling online when she was in high school and has had her fair share of ups and downs before she first joined Shopee in 2015. Despite having to close her shop temporarily, she stepped up and worked with her Shopee Relationship Manager to learn how to build brand awareness for her store. To date, she has more than 225,000 shop followers.

Localidad.ph

Daniel of Localidad began his Shopee journey last year and got his break in November 2020. His experience on Shopee was a great opportunity to learn about e-commerce in general and eventually succeed in the industry, with more than 60,000 products sold and counting. 

Emsalvadorpunzalan

Em used the power of technology to offer a wide array of DIY car care detailing products through her shop Prestige Trading. As a former saleswoman, the main proprietor found joy in interacting and connecting with their customers.

Gratitudebar

Faced with a financial crisis in 2017, Ces of gratitude bar launched her Shopee store which offers skincare products that are simple, affordable, and effective. With the use of in-app features, the brand gained more loyal customers.

Mareclothingph

When Zel started selling on Shopee, she knew it was a learning journey and discovered a lot of new things. Now, she has a strong customer base and feels grateful for the overwhelming support and trust from her loyal customers

To know more and vote for your favorite sellers in #TatakPinoy: Shopee Celebrates Local, visit https://shopee.ph/m/tatak-pinoy.

Rediscover Homepreneurship through Diskarte: PLDT Home’s latest video tackles digital opportunities for home-based businesses

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Homebased businesses are booming as a movement, led mostly by resourceful mothers who are taking opportunities to earn extra income while they take care of their families.

As more people stay at home to keep safe, ordering online has become the norm. Having an online presence helps move goods to more people and a growing community of online sellers enjoy the ease of transactions through many digital platforms that are already available. All it takes is a strong connection via a reliable provider such as PLDT Home and a willingness to work hard at building a business from home.

 

The power of connections

Two inventive, yet practical or madiskarte moms who are harnessing the power of strong connections are Vanna Reyes, an entrepreneur and online influencer who also helps other businesses boost their sales, and Vania Edralin, a talent manager who launched her baking business during the community quarantine.  Both are moms who are balancing home life and their side hustles that are supported by the strong connections provided by PLDT at Home. 

Vanna Reyes, Home-based entrepreneur

“The pandemic has had a big impact on mommies,” Vanna notes. Aside from the fact that they now have to contend with their children’s online classes on top of managing the household, there is also an uncertainty over the future as many households are affected by loss of income. This is why Vanna supports many moms in the community that she joins, not only by highlighting the products that she likes but also through giving moral support.

Vanna describes herself as an “accidental seller”, with her business starting out as a way to help entrepreneur friends. “I just promote things that I personally use, and moms who watch my videos start asking where they can buy the product as well,” she says.

 Among the items Vanna sold were face masks, salt lamps, designer bags, and even children’s toys. “My story with the children’s toys is a funny one. A friend with a physical store in Divisoria told me that their stocks weren’t moving. To help out, I started posting their items online and they made huge sales even out of season. My friend who was so old-school has now started to migrate their business on selling platforms after realizing the importance of having an online presence.”  

For her part, Vania was doing baking as a hobby before the pandemic hit. “My sister was the one who was really into baking, using our mom’s recipe for cinnamon buns. I tweaked that recipe to make smaller Cinnabites, and gave it away to family and friends, until I realized that there was no one doing the same thing. I offered it on an online selling group and it really took off,” she shares. From an initial capital of P10,000 that went to bulk procurement of ingredients, she was able to recover her investment within two months from baking only three times a week.

 

Online advantages

There are many opportunities to earn from a side hustle even through the pandemic, both Vanna and Vania attest. “There may be other sellers out there, offering the same thing or something similar to what you have, but there are also so many customers out there,” Vanna encourages. “The main differentiation would be how you reach your market. Some moms will have live selling programs, some will offer their products on different platforms. What is important is that you find your niche.”

Mommy Vania turned her passion into a profit-making business as she now sells home-baked mini cinnamon buns through her own shop, Cinnabites.

 

Vania, who tried selling clothes at a bazaar notes the difference. “You don’t need to spend so much on a space, and there is no need to transport all your goods to a certain location. It is easier to do business online. You can even target your audience by choosing a location for your ads or by simply joining a neighborhood group.” She likewise encourages budding homepreneurs to learn new skills such as taking videos or editing photos, and making ad layouts that would attract more customers.

To support all these transactions, one should have a stable internet connection such as PLDT Home. Both moms say this is crucial and enables businesses to provide good customer service, responding to queries and making transactions easy for customers, and having reliable payment and delivery options. “If you don’t answer inquiries right away, that would mean loss of business,” Vanna advises. 

It all boils down to “sipag at tiyaga” (diligence and perseverance), both moms say. There many side hustles that are available to home-based moms, from creating your own products, to drop shipping or being a reseller. “Diskarte ng mga Pinoy, walang katulad (there’s nothing like the resourcefulness and strategy of Pinoys),” Vanna says. Vania agrees and adds, “If you’re a mom, you’ll do anything and everything for your family. That is the driving force of madiskarte moms, love for their family.”

With a reliable and powerful internet connection at home, homepreneurs can take their business goals to the next level. 

To know more about how you can rediscover opportunities in-home business, watch this video from PLDT Home.