by Frenz Nicole Repunte
Campus life offers a chaotic blend of academia, friendships, and personal goals. Roam through the halls and you would hear all kinds of passionate chatters from each Teknoy: final projects, club event plans, or gossips about the upcoming exams. There’s never a dull moment with each passing day as the semester goes by.
In the midst of all typical college agendas, there are a daring few who strive to break into the unconventional path.
These are our student entrepreneurs—the brave who sought to venture into creating businesses and bringing them closer to patrons. With a keen eye, you’d be able to see these intrepid individuals as they showcase their products around the school.
What goes into the minds of these students? How do they deal with the day-to-day challenges as a student and an entrepreneur? Let’s get into the minds of what it takes to be one as we meet our Teknoy venturers.
Kazel and Christian’s Bittersweet Roots
Kazel and Christian Uy, cousins and students in Architecture and Chemical Engineering, respectively, have brought their homemade pastries and food packages—red velvet cakes, lasagnas, and pastas—into the heart of the campus, gaining a devoted following among their peers.
Left to Right: Kazel Dhane Uy and Christian Marlone Uy
Their journey is rooted in family tradition with origins in Manila. Their family began in humble canteens and eateries, gradually building a reputation that they’ve taken into the campus.
“We were based in Manila before and then our family worked in the canteen industry. We also owned a little eatery in Manila but then we had to take separate ways because of bankruptcy.”
During her years at the University of San Carlos, Kazel would invite her friends over to her home, treating them with her family’s recipes. Inspired by the positive responses, she decided to share that same flavor with the rest of the campus community.
With his mother being the soul behind their tasteful delicacies, selling their treats in school and helping the family business has been a great motivation for Christian. Being a Freshman Academic Scholar has also led him into finding ways to ease the financial burden of his parents.
Marketing their products has been a challenge for these young entrepreneurs as Christian explained,
“Sauna, dali ra kaayo nako mapost ang among mga products. Naganahan ra sad ko mu-sell kay nakathink ko na [kung] daghan og students here, daghan [sad] mu-engage. Sukad karon na week, gi-ban na ko nila from the page, di na ko kapost. Naglisod ko unsaon nako ni pagdisseminate.”
[At first, it was easy to post our products. I also liked selling since there are many students, which meant many would engage. But since this week, they have banned me from the page, so I can’t post anymore. I’m having a hard time thinking of ways to disseminate.]
“Basically, there is no avenue for us to actually sell.”
When it comes to building a business, the duo have nothing but positives to give. For Kazel, her advice is to have good marketing skills and a strong branding, having something always memorable and easily understandable for your consumers. Christian also mentioned that interpersonal skills are important, to never be afraid of putting yourself out there.
Akiesha’s Hearty Resilience
While the pandemic put the world into a standstill, Akiesha Tayactac, a junior Civil Engineering student, and her family decided to turn things around and launch a food business in her hometown in San Jose, Northern Samar.
As college rolled around, her family decided to move to Cebu, pausing their booming business just as it was taking off. Wanting to experiment, Akiesha decided to market her desserts to her classmates during her early years at CIT U. Although the initial response was slow, the courage to keep trying did not waver.
By her third year, her mother had invested in an oven, and Akiesha decided it was time to give it another go.
“At first, nagdala ra ko og cheese cupcake ato for baon lang. Ako gipatry sa akong classmates na close nako. Then, niana sila na magdala ko og pambaligya. Kato na time na nagdala ko og pangsell para nila, kato man sad [na time] na walay klase. Nabalaka ko gamay, daghan kaayo ko gidala but walay namalit.”
[At first, I only brought a cheese cupcake for my snacks. I had my close friends give it a try. Then, they said that I should bring some to sell. When the time came when I brought some to sell, it was when classes were cancelled. I was a little worried, I had a lot brought with me but nobody was buying.]
Although her journey was rough, she decided to market on the internet, tapping into the rising popularity of “student confession” groups on Facebook. Soon enough, the orders began coming in, giving her and her family the opportunity to expand their offerings from cheese and banana cupcakes to baked macaroni and cakes.
Her father, a seafarer on a break, has been Akiesha’s biggest inspiration in her pursuits. Driven to contribute to her family’s income, she strives to make this business a success.
From one challenge to another, Akiesha has embraced each one in her rollercoaster-like journey. While marketing reach remains difficult, her persistence has led her forward, delivering treats to those who look forward to her delicacies.
To aspiring entrepreneurs, Akiesha offers resilience as her piece of wisdom.
“Naa jud tay days na feeling nimo basin end na ni sa imong business kay walay mamalit. Very normal ra na basta namaligya ka, so just keep on going. Keep on striving kay if ganahan jud ang customers sa imong mga products, mobalik jud na sila.”
[There will be days when you will feel like your business is ending because nobody is buying. That’s very normal when you are selling, so just keep on going. Keep on striving because if your customers really like your products, they will come back.]
Left to Right: Akiesha Frauleen, Kazel Dhane Uy, and Christian Marlone Uy
Melody’s Woven Road
Hailing from Bohol, Melody Ocio, a Multimedia Arts freshman, decided to seize an opportunity when she was asked to pursue a product commission. From there, she began to slowly build up her catalog.
“I started out small with small keychains. It slowly grew until I was slowly recognized here at CIT U,” she shared.
Now, she has brought her love for crocheting and accessories to the Teknoy community with her vibrant business of stickers, keychains, and crochet crafts. Initially motivated by the need for income, it has since deepened into something more personal.
“At first it was more about money in order to gain some sort of income to pay my rent. [After] seeing everyone getting excited with my work and seeing everyone like my work, my main motivation now is giving people joy or comfort with whatever I make.”
While her passion pushes through, Melody has struggled at times with keeping up with her orders. Furthermore, she mentions that juggling her academics with her venture together has been quite troublesome. Despite it all, her entrepreneurial mind strives to find time to manage it, putting her academics first while working on fulfilling orders in her spare moments.
When asked what she would say to young entrepreneurs alike, Melody offers a heartfelt piece of advice.
“Small businesses don’t start easy. Sometimes it gets really hard. You’ll get discouraged because you think people won’t like it or they won’t be interested, but if you keep on going, keep on being passionate about your work […] instead of the money, it will be more about what your passion is.”
Lenzyren’s Handcrafted Journey
Starting the business off, Lenzyren Plameran began her journey as a means of income when it came to school projects or other school necessities. Being self-taught and resourceful, she took her crocheting from a simple interest into something more, bringing a touch of handmade charm into school.
What motivated her in pursuing this business is the lasting impression it brought upon her customers. Seeing her products cherished, styled, and cared for have become the drive of her venture.
Lenzyren also confessed to the struggles of managing such a venture. Meticulous crafting requires time, but she embraces patience as the key to making such high-quality and unique pieces.
“When it comes sa [handcrafts] kay pinulaway man jud ni siya gud. Dili kaingon nga “Dali ra man na himuon.” It takes time jud na maprocess siya una nimo siya makita ang outcome sa product.”
[When it comes to handcrafts, it’s always going to be all-nighters. You cannot say “It’s easy to make.” It really takes time to process before you get to see the outcome of the product.]
Learning from her family, Lenzyren is thankful with what she was taught: how hard work often breeds satisfaction once it all pays off.
“We all know naa tay gipit season, but og ganahan ka mu-try ug business, you must try it kay wala man juy mawala. Ug naay mawala nato [it’s] money, but money will always come back to us. Ana man jud na magsugod ang business, you must try it first to see the outcome, na mulambo ba jud siya or muubos ba.”
[While there are budget-tight seasons, if you want to give a business a try, you must try it since there is nothing to lose. If there is something to lose, it will be money, but money will always come back to us. That’s how a business starts, you must try it first to see the outcome, if it will thrive or fail.]
More than just academics
As the saying goes, “Fortune favors the bold,” and there isn’t more truth to be found than with these fearless individuals.
Building ventures demands taking risks and tireless work and planning, all for the hope of seeing their brands become a campus staple among the Technologian body. Behind closed doors also comes the added struggle of juggling their lives between work and academics. Even then, they continue to conquer it all through sheer determination and love for their own craft.
While it may not be your typical episode, the fresh dynamic these student entrepreneurs bring offer a unique take on the campus experience. As they pave their roads with the ventures they’ve built, so too can you. Let them inspire you to leap towards the ideas you are passionate with, to be creative, daring, and innovative. The journey may be long and winding, but the first step is yours to take—why not give it a shot?
