BOHOL — Jose Marlou Suyman is not just the founder of a thriving furniture business, Suyman Wood Products in Tayong Occidental, Loay, Bohol, but a pillar of resilience. He mentors his team and acts as strong inspiration to fellow fathers and aspiring entrepreneurs alike. In 2008 with nothing more than ₱15,000 in borrowed capital and a few basic tools with his backyard as his workshop he then took a leap of faith to pursue a passion. Together with his wife, they began crafting wooden doors which they believe that their hard work would one day build something greater not just for their customers but for their children’s future.

Through long hours and countless challenges, he balanced the demands of fatherhood with the unrelenting hustle of a small business owner. Every cabinet, table, and sala set they produced was a testament to his perseverance not just to earn a living but to leave a legacy.

The turning point came in 2017 when Suyman Furniture made its debut at the Sandugo Trade Expo. Their high-quality furniture caught the eye of resort owners, restaurateurs, and property developers across Bohol. With support from DOST’s SETUP and the Department of Trade and Industry’s Kapatid Mentor ME Program he didn’t just scale up but he leveled up. He embraced technology, attended capacity-building workshops, and even learned to market on Facebook. This strategy leads to an evolution that fueled exponential growth.

Today, Suyman Furniture Shop is a name synonymous with craftsmanship and integrity, posting impressive sales and serving major clients like Atharra Primeland Properties Inc. and the Alturas Group. Yet despite their success he continues to remain grounded and still a hands-on father. He strategically guides his business with purpose and still shows the next generation that dreams can be carved, sanded, and polished into reality.

But behind every polished surface and precisely measured plank is a story of sacrifice. He once juggled delivery runs with parent-teacher meetings, and squeezed design consultations between family dinners. His days often stretched into the night, lit by nothing but the shop’s overhead lamp and his unwavering hope to give his children a better life. To his family, he’s more than a businessman—he’s a hero in denim and sawdust.

What makes his journey even more inspiring is how he uplifted others along the way. Today, Suyman Furniture employs skilled artisans from the community, many of whom are fathers themselves. Under his guidance, these men found not only a livelihood but also a renewed sense of dignity. He created more than jobs but he built a community of empowered individuals who take pride in their craft.

The success of Suyman Furniture Shop has truly become a family affair. What began with children playing at their father’s feet among sawdust and wood shavings has evolved into a shared mission, with each of them now contributing their time, skills, and ideas to the growing enterprise.

The Suyman story is a powerful portrait of intergenerational collaboration—where a father’s steady hands laid the foundation, and his children now help shape the future. It’s a testament to entrepreneurship built not just on ambition, but on legacy, love, and a shared commitment to craftsmanship.

And when calamities hit, such as the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol, the pandemic and Typhoon Odette disasters   the business remained resolute. He adjusted production schedules, shifted to custom orders, and kept the team afloat. Not once did he consider giving up. His belief in faith, family, and craftsmanship remained stronger than the trials he faced—proving that the heart of an entrepreneur-father beats for something far greater than profit.

As the business thrives, so does the impact it creates. Suyman Furniture now stands as a beacon in Bohol’s growing creative industry—proof that a humble, locally grown venture can rise to meet national demand. It also stands as a personal monument to a man who believed that fathers aren’t just protectors or providers — but builders of possibility.This Father’s Day, we honor men like Jose Marlou Suyman, an entrepreneurial father who proves that success isn’t just measured in sales, but in the values they pass on like hard work, humility and heart. From the first swing of a hammer to building an enterprise that now supports families and communities, his journey is a powerful reminder that the greatest legacies often begin with a father’s simple desire to create a better life. (DTI Bohol) ♦

Date of Release: 11 June 2025

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