To gracefully end Women’s month, the DTI Rizal organized a Women’s Initiatives for Successful Entrepreneurs (W.I.S.E.) Forum last 25 March 2022, which was attended by potential and existing entrepreneurs from Rizal province and nearby municipalities and cities. The invited participants were the participants of the webinars conducted, potential entrepreneurs, existing businesswomen and young entrepreneurs. It was also graced by DTI Rizal Provincial Director (PD) Desiderio G. Jurado III and Business Development Division Chief Sharon F. Dioco. PD Jurado thanked these women-participants and partners as DTI Rizal continues to give Juanas the motivation to take the center stage by serving other women as catalysts of change.
The forum was held to empower and motivate women’s potential and existing entrepreneurial skills and capabilities by introducing government programs and services dedicated to women, presenting possible business ideas fit for women, familiarizing the benefits of women’s entrepreneurship, and drilling the challenges of a woman entrepreneur. Ms Rosario Ola, President of the Samahan ng mga Rizaleno sa sektor ng Agrikutura at Pagkain (SARAP) welcomed the participants by stating that women have the capacity to be a multi-tasker, strategist and entrepreneur at the same time.
Carrying her expertise, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Rizal Provincial Head Zendie Monea Sollano-Cabanlong comprehensively discussed the DICT strategic framework – Connect, Harness, Innovate and Protect (CHIP) that will benefit the audience. On the other hand, Ms. Rachelle Leones, co-owner of Creativly Studio and a Champion Entrepreneur of DTI Rizal, shared five important aspects to consider in planning to put up a business – interest, passion, purpose, skills, knowledge.
To share the benefits of women’s entrepreneurship, DTI Rizal invited the CEO of Brilliant Skin Essentials Inc. Ms. Glenda Victorio. According to her, “women entrepreneurship generates jobs eliminating gender gaps…[and] creates cultural change” She added, “Hindi ako babae lang [kundi] kaya ko rin ang [ibang] gawaing lalaki”.
Women-led businesses are incomplete without challenges. Through Ms. Claire Rivera, owner of Claire’s Kitchen and another champion entrepreneur of DTI Rizal, eight trials of a woman entrepreneur were presented. “Huwag tayo maging nega [negative] ‘di ba? Sa halip ay gawin nating positibo lagi ang ating kaisipan”, answered by Ms. Rivera in addressing how she survived the tests.
In behalf of DTI-Rizal Province Office, SCIDS SFDioco expressed her gratitude to the four speakers for sharing their knowledge to the participants.♦
Date of Release: 6 April 2022