2008 has been a turning point in my life, a very hard time for me as my husband strayed with another woman leaving us with my then 6 year old son, no business, no money, and a 30k debt. I prayed for a livelihood to sustain us both.

In September of that same year, I started a business on the pathway of our house along the sidewalk. It was a rough start as we have no proper place, no expertise, no capital, no equipment, no skill on how to do that…only the will to do it. I started selling camote fries and coffee to tricycle drivers and passersby along the sidewalk. Months passed and as I earn, I started buying equipment, and materials for the roof. We had no table, so I had to take out the only six seater dining table we had and some long benches for our customers to sit on. I was the one cooking with just a helper. Whatever I earn, I just put it back to the business by buying utensils and materials needed. When my customers increased and I need to add the tables, what I did was..I had the table cut into 4, so now I have 4 tables! As the years passed, I just keep on adding the equipment and utensils by rolling back the earnings to the business. I had the eatery cemented, put ceilings into it, have it painted, added tables and chairs.

For now, it has all the needed equipment for it to operate smoothly. It can now sit 45 people when full. We now have a cooking area (in tiles), barbeque grill area, baking area, dual sink dishwashing area, glass display counter, two softdrink refs, a supply ref, and a freezer. We now have six (6) regular helpers and two extra workers. Also, we have acquired a service vehicle for us to buy supplies herein the city and in Bacolod.