Go Negosyo has already helped 5,988 MSMEs in 14 different locations in the country
BAGUIO CITY – Go Negosyo initiated the event with the partnership of Negosyo Center of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Baguio) and mentors from Manila led by Joey Concepcion, Founder of Go Negosyo and also chairman / CEO of RFM Corporation conducted a one-on-one mentoring to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs on March 6, 2024, at the Atrium, SM City Baguio.
Around 300 aspiring entrepreneurs were advised by mentors who specifically taught the effective methods and processes for starting a business as well as how to get more investment or capital. Some agencies and commercial banks can be approached to get loans at low interest, after being given advice they endorse you to DTI-Baguio if you are interested in attending the free orientation and training.
In an interview with Joey Concepcion, “Go Negosyo is the advocacy of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), a non-stock, non-profit organization that advocates for a change in Mindset and Attitude.
“The Go Negosyo is all over the Philippines so, we’ve been around 10 years and have been consistent and I believe our country can only move forward if we can help the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
Large Corporations like ourselves, are focused on helping the economy cannot grow without us on the map and many of them are part of our value chain.
“We make the product that we sell to the sari-sari stores so if we help them katulad itong ginagawa natin ngayon mentorship lang, simple lang yan, it’s the advise and also by the presence of mga mentors coming here meeting people face-to-face, nasasabi nila kahit na maliit lang ang problema nila the point is you giving encouragement and confidence, this is the chance for renewal of hope,”
“These new entrepreneurs have the biggest advantage as media is changing the landscape today ngayon halos lahat social media already so, that’s why online is gonna grow and allows them to sell their product directly to the consumer that’s a big game changer they have more margins,”
“Go Negosyo will not be able to reach so many people without social media so, we are trying to make it as inclusive as possible the economy is changing social media is forcing people to say that I have a chance, everybody has a chance, you need creative talent, you have your cellphone you go online, Instagram, Tiktok or whatever so, that is the move of Go Negosyo, we will not stop until we have everyone out there,”
According to Johnlu Koa, Mentor and CEO of the French Baker, “Sa lahat ng mga negosyante dito sa Baguio, mapalad tayo lahat dahil ang mga mentors na galing sa Manila ay narito sa Baguio, yun mga nag iisip gustong magnegosyo, maybe this is your time get an inspiration yun 3M na sinasabing Market, Money and Mentorship sa ulo niyo totoo yun so, in your journey towards mentorship look for a mentor, mentor you can fall, mentor you can eminate, and mentor you can use as affect. Business is cycle hindi yun everyday good weather, pag dating oras na kelangang niyo ng redevelopment ng business niyo you can always go back to Go Negosyo, go online and ask a question and look for solutions otherwise sayang naman yun what you started then you will not finish so, sa mga gustong mag start market muna, mentorship kung sino sa kanila ang mga expert, money where do I go for funding so, package of three yan.
According to Tess Solis- owner of a water refilling station,”Existing pa rin ang negosyo namin na water refilling at soap, since nag umpisa kami nung pandemic time kaya nasa 4 years na ang operation nito at umabot rin sa milyon ang naging puhunan namin, ang gusto ko ay palawakin pa ito para another income, kailangan ay makarami pa kami ng market, at kung ano yun product mo ay hanap ka uli ng iba pang market at pangatlo dapat talaga nagko concentrate ka at kailangan magre reinvade ka, mag imbento ka ng product kasama dun sa existing product at kung pano mo mapalawak ay kailangan mo mag branch out sa ibang lugar,”
Kamela Crisologo Seen who is a mentor and owner of Plato Wraps said, “Ang maipapayo ko sa mga unang gusto magnegosyo ay aralin muna kung ano yun konspeto na gustong gawin na negosyo, paghandaan, huwag basta-basta, mula sa capital hanggang saan ibibenta, paano ibibenta at dapat importante aralin kung pano i-handle or I-manage yun negosyo gustong umpisahan maliit man o malaki,”
“Ang Plato Wrap is 23 year old brand pero ang negosyo namin talaga is Panaderia Antonio bakery sa Pangasinan yun ang inumpisahan namin mag asawa, nung dalawa na ang store namin at hindi pa medyo successful sabi ko sa asawa ko na gawa tayo ng product na sa atin lang mabibili so, dun nag umpisa ang Plato Wraps product ng bakery namin, meron na kami 30 plus stores ng Plato Wraps may mga branches na kami sa Manila, Visayas at dito sa Baguio,”
“May humble beginnings kami , ang husband ko ay OFW at nabigyan lang kami ng pagkakataon na mag umpisa sa isang mall para magtayo ng bakery, ang commercial banks noon ay hindi pa friendly sa Small and Medium pero ngayon may access ka na kahit maliit ka so, Rural Bank lang kaso mataas ang interest pero sinubukan pa rin namin, pero hindi nagtagal lumapit na ang commercial bank sa amin dahil nakikita naman nila na medyo maganda yun product namin kaya medyo naging maluwag sila, kaya noong nag start kami sa commercial bank malaking tulong yun dahil maliit ang interest at anumang loan or business loan na gagamitin mo kailangan business loan lang talaga para mapalago mo ito, masasabi ko dahil dun kami nag grown basta alam mo gamitin ang mga loans mo, business loan, maaari kang matulungan sa pag expand. Nagsimula kami nagtayo ng Plato Wraps sa SM Mega Mall at matagal na rin kami dito sa SM Baguio,” Seen concluded.
Meanwhile, The city government of Baguio will continue to support, guide, and celebrate the success of those in the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector. Keep pushing forward, keep innovating, and keep inspiring. The world is watching and your success story is yet to be told.”
In a message of Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan read by his staff Raffy Resuello
“Your dedication to your craft, unwavering spirit, and relentless pursuit of excellence are truly inspiring. Despite the challenges you face, you continue to innovate, adapt, and overcome, showing the world the resilience and strength of the Filipino spirit,”
“The path you’ve chosen is not an easy one, but it is a noble one. Your hard work today will pave the way for a better tomorrow. Believe in yourselves, believe in your vision, and believe in the power of MSMEs to shape a prosperous future for the Philippines.”- Olowan stated ### Photo by: Mario Oclaman //FNS
