They say that when you want to venture into business, you need to take risks. But when Rozelle Mae Benedito and Mawi Mendoza Rillorta shared their idea of putting up a coffee shop in the middle of a rice field, many doubted them.
When the couple announced that they will turn their 500 sqm property in Pangasinan into a coffee shop, they received many negative comments.
“Mga friends po tsaka mga tao po dito, ‘yon po ‘yong sabi nila na, ‘bakit magpapatayo dito’, ‘sino pupunta jan’, ‘sobrang layo’, ‘walang magiging customer ‘yan’,” Rozelle recalled on Philstar.
According to Mawi, they were the only ones who believed in themselves at that time.
They opened their shop Ag.KAPI.ta on July 2021, in the middle of a pandemic. Their starting capital was P1 million.
The couple shared that building the coffee shop was difficult because of its location.
“Isa pa po na struggle ‘yung sa pag-construct kasi nasa gitna po kami ng bukid. Ang time lang po talaga namin na summer. So pinaka time lang po namin starting po ng April tsaka May, ‘yun lang po. ‘Yon lang po yung pwede kami magpaconstruct ma’am, kunware may babaguhin po kami. Di na po kami pwede magpasok ng materyales, ng gamit,” the couple explained.
Their hardwork paid off and they proved their doubters wrong. Their coffee shop is now earning P50,000 a day. They also expanded their staff to 15 workers to accommodate their customers.
Many coffee lovers and customers travel all the way to the province to enjoy their coffee and experience the amazing views.
Advice to aspiring entrepreneurs
The couple challenged those who wish to venture into business but are still hesitant.
“Paano mo malalaman kung di mo susubukan?” the couple stressed.
It’s also important to have someone who supports your dream. According to the couple it’s essential that you are passionate about your business.
“Habang nagiisip po kayo, pakinggan din po natin ‘yung puso natin kasi mas maganda kung buong puso mo gagawin ‘yong design. Parang po si misis, actually di naman niya po ito magagawa kung hindi niya mahal ‘yung ginagawa niya,” Mawi said.
When you’re planning to venture into business, it’s important to know how to find the right business for you. You must know how to look into your strengths, the target market, location, and more.
Like Mawi and Rozelle’s coffee shop, the couple knew the ways to target the right customers for their business. They identified their niche and their business’ own branding.
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