This blog shares my insights from five local businesses in Cagayan de Oro, showing how passion and innovation can lead to success. All these businesses together inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and point out the significance of resilience and community in growing a successful business.
The story of Steve’s Barbecue highlights the power of creativity and hard work in starting a business. The original owner, Mrs. Criselda Ibanez Carson, started with nothing but determination. Back then she borrowed P150 from a neighbor to sell peanuts and cigarettes at Cogon Market. Steve's barbeque started as cart business.
As the business grows, day by day, she wanted to name the business after her husband, Steve which now named as Steve's Barbeque. Now, it has more branches around CDO and one of the pioneers of grilling houses along JR Borja Extension in Cagayan de Oro City, Steve’s Barbecue is not just a restaurant; it embodies the spirit of resilience. Mrs. Criselda’s secret to their flavorful barbecue is simple yet profound: “marinated with love.” Despite facing many challenges over the years, the business has thrived, proving that passion and determination can overcome any obstacle. Mrs. Criselda’s commitment and "love" to her cooking inspired everyone, including myself, to pursue our passions wholeheartedly and strive for success. Now, in their 3rd branch, Maam Dulce Asoy, the owner and operator, utilizes technologies like digital ordering system and inventory system for their supplies, provide quality and builds welcoming environment to the customers.
NLM Consumer Goods Trading
Founded in 2020 by 23-year-old CEO Lenie Quinto, NLM started as an online selling venture after Lenie decided to leave her studies at PHINMA COC College. The business quickly gained popularity, inspiring her to open a physical store. NLM uses social media platforms for live selling, attracting a dedicated online customer base. Lenie encourages a collaborative environment by being open to team suggestions, which has allowed the business to grow beyond its online roots. Next Level Millennial shortly 'NLM' Consumer Goods Trading shows how innovative thinking and adaptability can drive business success. She advises aspiring entrepreneurs to save money and invent creatively and recycle resources to create marketable products, serving as an inspiring example for those finding the evolving market environment.
Blend and Bloem
Blend and Bloem is a fruit and vegetable store that just recently opened their doors in February 2024, emphasizing the growing call for fresh produce and access. With negotiable discounts to PWD and students, the healthy food is within reach for everybody. Their changing from being an online shop into actual places in Ororama, Buena Oro Macasandig, SM Uptown and SM Downtown symbolizes how they listen and make themselves comply with the needs of their clients, because they really value their customers. Despite issues with delivery, which translates into lesser stocks, it is actively managed to remain fresh by the owner who is aware of specific fruits coming from distant parts of the Philippines. Their aim of selling their daily display will eventually prove to be a waste-reducing move toward selling as much as possible. Overall, Blend and Bloem serves fruit lovers who support community involvement and encourages sustainability.
Anster Autoworks
From its launch in 2019 to date, the Anster Autoworks company has build relationship with its clients-majorly business people who use their vehicles for daily operations. Through active engagement with customers on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Anster Autoworks represents the influence of modern connectivity with inquiries and relationship. What makes them unique is their commitment to upholding the promise of informing customers, especially if they are not frequent visitors of the shop. Through continuous updates about what's being done for their automobile from pictures and videos of their vehicle, they build trust and loyalty among clients. It not only adds value to the customer experience but to repetitive business as well, since the attention their vehicle receives would be an important consideration on the part of the clients, so they would keep coming back. Anster Autoworks, in general, is a very excellent example of how modern businesses could really succeed by combining technology with reality. It shows that repairing cars is not an end but brings people together and makes them feel cared for and supported.
KARRFASSST Car Accessories
Marwin, a-company installation technician says that hands-on experience in dealing with customers is of prime importance. KARRFASSST Car Accessories demonstrates how one can be on the top by relying on the client relationship and on the quality of service to boom the company. By providing discounts and even free services, KARRFASSST tries to bring in loyalty and pushes customers to bring in their vehicles regularly for maintenance. This guarantees timely servicing to the customers and delivery of quality in automobile accessories without the delay of their vehicle care, a step taken in advance. Altogether, KARRFASSST, with its commitment to satisfying the customer and efficient working, has thus been the most trusted name in the market of automotive accessories, as it has practically been in business for nearly 30 years.
Their success remind us that with creativity, dedication, and a focus on customer satisfaction, any entrepreneur can overcome challenges and thrive in their business journey.
