From Teachers To Entrepreneurs: Educators Resign From Their Jobs To Build A Special Taho Shop

Two senior high school teachers turned their passion for teaching into a love for business. Camille Ona and Marvin Paclibare broke free from the four walls of their classrooms, and instead built a special milk tea-inspired taho shop.

From Teachers To Entrepreneurs: Educators Resign From Their Jobs To Build A Special Taho Shop
Image by Taho Klasiko via Facebook

In a report by Janelle Lorzano from the Philippine Star, the former teachers shared their inspiring story of breaking free from their professions and starting to make a name for themselves as entrepreneurs. Camille and Marvin resigned from their jobs to venture into business. Marvin said the pandemic made them realize how many possibilities there are outside of their teaching jobs.

“Kung hindi nagka-pandemic, siguro nasa teaching pa rin ako. Akala ko nung time na yun, doon na talaga ako habang buhay. Paglabas mo pala dun, may malaki pang mundo na naka-abang sa iyo,” he said.

Camille and Marvin built Taho Klasiko, a shop that offers milktea-inspired taho. According to Marvin, they wanted to offer a “healthier version” of milk tea, especially when people are becoming health-conscious due to the pandemic.

Their idea was a big hit! From earning P12,000 to P15,000 as teachers, Camille said they are now earning 6-digit figures a month. “Though mahal rin namin ang teaching, siguro being practical na lang din this time,” Camille shared.

But being entrepreneurs doesn’t mean they have totally turned their backs on teaching. As entrepreneurs, they are constantly learning and improving their businesses, much like teachers are constantly learning new things to teach their students. The couple also decided to hire working students to help them with their needs.

“In relation naman po sa pagiging teacher sa pag bu-business, so parang may similarities rin man o tinatawag na common denominator. Kagaya sa school, nag-aaral kami kung ano ‘yung mga tinuturo namin, ituturo namin. Dito naman natutunan din naman namin na makinig din Ma’am sa mga mentor, sa mga taong,” Marvin explained.

Advice to aspiring entrepreneurs

The former teachers also shared their advice with aspiring entrepreneurs. According to them, it’s important to be open to many possibilities and not just stick to what you’re used to. She also added that it’s not enough that you have a dream; you need to work hard to make it a reality.

Camille said, “Siguro ‘yung una is to get out of your comfort zone, kasi you’ll never know what’s in store for you if you just stick to the things that you’re used to.”

If you’re a teacher thinking of venturing into business, may Camille and Marvin’s story inspire you! For more inspiration, you can read how teachers built a tutorial business with just P3,000 capital.

Sally Mae

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