Sometimes, even the most unexpected events can change an entire chapter of a person’s life.
For Chona Bandola, owner of Charn’s Food Products, being allowed to learn and expand her market was one of those unexpected events.
From being a housewife, who only intended to help her husband with their daily expenses, Bandola is now a successful businesswoman.
In one of the food fairs in the Provincial Capitol of Quezon, Bandola sold kakanin and pansit. Little did she know that this fair would lead her to learn how to create turmeric tea. She trained with the Department of Agriculture (DA) in processing turmeric tea.
When she felt she has perfected the process, she did not stop learning even more. The simple vendor of kakanin and pansit knew that if she is equipped with the right knowledge, she can improve her products and reach success.
The 38-year-old businesswoman is not wrong. She was referred to the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and there she attended trainings and seminars that helped her improve her products and business operations.
When Bandola was given the chance to be part of the Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) Program, she took this seriously and applied everything that she learned throughout the program.
She has placed her heart and soul in every product that she would put out in the market. She says, “Iyong quality ng iyong produkto, i-maintain mo rin para yung mga customer mo ay hindi mawala sa iyo.”
The now-successful entrepreneur believes that one of the best things she learned in the KMME program is how to plan and strategize. She said, “Kailangan kung ikaw ay maglalabas ng isang produkto kailangan established na yung isa mong product.”
Aside from all the learnings, Bandola says that the support she received from DTI-Quezon is a big factor in her success.
Bandola thinks that if it wasn’t for the KMME Program, she will still be the same vendor of kakanin and pansit that the people at the Provincial Capitol knew.
If there’s anything that she wishes for the program, it’s that they should continue supporting every local business.
From selling the 12-in-1 turmeric when she was still starting, Charn’s Food Products is now processing and selling four varieties of turmeric tea. Something that the mom of four kids is always proud to share, and is willing to keep innovating. ♦
Date of Release: 12 August 2021