Albert Arevalo and Nico Luciano of Imagawayaki Japanese Cake share some tips for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Japanese cakes are fluffy, soft, and airy cakes. These jiggly cakes have a texture similar to the spongecakes and airy soufflé that melts in your mouth. Traditionally, it has no filling and is served with tea. The mochi version has a red bean filling.
The business partners’ Japanese cakes with special fillings are a hit that they now have six branches. Impressively, they are earning P120,000 to P180,000 every month per branch.
Albert recalled how they came up with their business idea. According to him, he was just strolling around the mall and saw the stalls filled with fishballs, siomai, and so many other streetfoods. He wanted a unique product that was not yet available in the market.
“So, naisip ko nga yung japanese cake but with a twist. So nilagyan ko siya ng iba’t ibang flavors. Nagstart ako sa mga basic flavors pa lang like yung classic namin,” he shared on GMA’s Pera Paraan.
Nico added, “Nung nagsisimula pa lang kami we started with three fillings, chocolate, cheese, and red bean.”
Imagawayaki Japanese Cakes are available in 16 flavors, including chocolate, matcha, blueberry cheese, mango, custard, choco oreo, and more. Each piece sells for P25 to P35, depending on the flavor.
Aside from their physical stores, their Japanese cakes are also available to order online. They are also open for franchising. The business partners revealed that it was franchising that pushed their business to grow and expand.
Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Nico and Albert shared some tips for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those planning to franchise a business.
Their first tip is to be passionate about your business. Nico explained that the more you appreciate your product and business, you become your own “ambassador.”
“Ikaw ang mismo ang magpo-promote eh. Hindi ka mahihiya,” he said.
Second, do your research. According to Albert, they usually help their franchisees find a perfect location for their business before starting. “Hindi pwedeng pwesto lang, tinitingnan din natin yung foot traffic,” he said.
Lastly, maintain healthy communication with your franchisers.
While there may be challenges, there are also many advantages of franchising than starting your business. If you’re interested, there are things to consider in finding the right franchise for you.
Meanwhile, if you’re an entrepreneur you can start evaluating if your business is ready for franchising.
How To Make Japanese Cakes
First, coat the molders with oil. Fill the molder halfway with their special batter. When the sides of the cakes are starting to be cooked, add in the filling. When cooked, fill the molder to complete the cake.
You can watch their video from GMA’s Youtube channel:
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