SAN BEDA UNIVERSITY (SBU) is home to a bustling entrepreneurial landscape, with Bedan students standing out as exemplary entrepreneurs. From promoting sustainable practices to fostering a sense of community, Bedan entrepreneurs have repeatedly showcased their contributions to the University’s strong entrepreneurial spirit.
In this piece, let us delve into the journeys of these Bedan business owners, exploring their challenges, triumphs, and the unique ways they integrate Benedictine values into their unique ventures.
Cookie Digest by Patricia Claire Martinez
Patricia Martinez is a third-year student from the Department of Legal Management who owns and runs the cookie bake business, Cookie Digest. It is derived from the word “Case Digest.” She started her business just last year out of her love for gifting cookies and picking up baking during the pandemic.
Her experience as a Bedan entrepreneur has seen her go through many ups and downs in managing her business and role as a student. In handling both tasks, she mentioned, “I think it [comparison with other bakeries] really struggled me academically when I couldn’t review, I couldn’t study, because it was everything that was going on in my mind.”
Patricia also talked about how SBU shapes her business and how she aims to promote sustainability as a core value in her business. Patricia utilizes biodegradable materials and avoids single-use plastics for her product packaging. The value of community is evident in her business, “Every time there are excess or some [cookies] that I haven’t sold, I always give it to the guards or the children in Mendiola, or the guards within my condo.”
She strives to set a positive example to aspiring Bedan entrepreneurs and gives the timeless advice to “just do it” no matter how scary and challenging business ownership can be.
Bedans can reach Cookie Digest through Instagram (cookie.digest) and Facebook (Cookie Digest). She is also available for orders in the library every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 pm., where she posts available cookies for the day.
Batter Beans by Angelica Pablo
Taking up Internal Auditing in the Department of Accountancy and Taxation, Angelica Pablo got her start in entrepreneurship due to being a business major. Despite initially wanting to take a different course, applying her interests to her businesses inspired her to push through and make the most out of her situation.
Her beginnings in entrepreneurship started with a letter business, creating personalized letters for her clients. A business she continues to this day, besides her venture into her baking business. Starting as a home-based coffee venture, Angelica shifted her focus after realizing customers preferred coffee in cafes.
She named her business “Batter Beans” after starting with waffles, eventually shifting to cookie-baking when her initial products did not meet expectations. One of her initial setbacks led her to turn to sustainability by repurposing excess coffee cups into cookie packaging due to the restrictions on selling beverages at the university.
On juggling studies and entrepreneurship, she manages pop-up booths, which allows her to study while also managing her business. “Hindi na rin ako maka tanggap ng retail orders kasi mahirap siyang…gawin, tapos nag-aaral.”
Her words of advice for aspiring Bedan entrepreneurs are simply hard work. She stated, “It’s how you make your business unique and how you promote it all about hard work talaga, prayer and work.”
Bedans can reach Batter Beans through Shopee, Instagram (batterbeansph), and Facebook (Batter Beans).
Mennie’s Basket by Janezka Acbo
Janezka’s start in entrepreneurship began after the discovery of her late grandmother’s recipe book during the 2020 quarantine lockdown and the launch of her business on July of the same year, honoring her late grandmother. She ventured into selling polvoron and pastillas, expanding later on to cookies, cakes, and other pastries.
Studying Internal Auditing is also a “huge factor” for Janezka as an entrepreneur, giving her “a more established background in the industry.” On the other hand, she had to overcome the challenges of academics and competition in the industry by improving her products and usage of social media marketing.
She hopes to create desserts that bring joy to her customers and notes that “becoming a sought-after event supplier” and supplying cookies to D’Cuppa are some of her noteworthy achievements as an entrepreneur.
Her advice talks about the reality of entrepreneurship and its challenges, which require hard work and stepping out of comfort zones. She emphasized that business ownership is not easy and that entrepreneurs should not “take advantage of the success” earned along the way.
Bedans can reach Mennie’s Basket through their Facebook page: Mennie’s Basket and Instagram: mennies_basket
The role of the Bedan Business Spectrum (BBS)
Anthony Navarro, the President of the BBS, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) accredited business and special interest organization, highlighted their flagship initiative, the Bedan Business Expo, a platform that seeks to spotlight Bedan entrepreneurs. The expo serves as a channel for showcasing the businesses owned by the alumni and current students.
“We are looking for, searching for Bedan entrepreneurs,” Navarro explained, acknowledging the wealth of small businesses among the rank of San Beda’s alumni and current students. According to him, the Bedan Business Expo provides a platform for Bedan entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services during BBS events.
The BBS president also expounded on his involvement in promoting Bedan businesses. He discussed how he incorporated businesses from his department as concessionaires during events, encouraging collaboration between departments and showcasing the diversity of entrepreneurial talent within San Beda.
Navarro also shared that many entrepreneurs struggle with marketing, and BBS aims to provide support by promoting and publicizing their businesses.
Reflecting on balancing academic and business responsibilities, Navarro emphasized the importance of time management and discipline among Bedan entrepreneurs. “So far… talagang they balanced it in a way that kapag may free time sila, they do their business as well as, kapag kung acads naman, talagang acads din sila. Talagang it’s a matter of time management as well as [balancing] para naman ma-manage nila ‘yung gusto nila.”
Navarro urged the Bedan community to action, urging them to “actively support” Bedan-owned businesses, be aware of their product, and promote and recognize the efforts of fellow Bedan entrepreneurs. Additionally, supporting these businesses builds a stronger sense of community within the University.