JCI Businesses Amidst the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many to transform in different ways: social distancing, health protocols, and moving to a digital ecosystem. Among those affected, businesses were disadvantaged as they navigated changing restrictions and lockdown schedules. Despite the challenges, these entrepreneurs were able to innovate, adapt, and overcome these obstacles. By interviewing businesses owned by JCI members, our team is excited to share their stories on how they were able to pivot and create more opportunities in this new economy.

MR. DELIVERY PH

written by Mark Duque (JCI Cauayan Bamboo) | Facebook: MrdeliveryCauayanCity

Mr. Delivery is a local delivery service in Cauayan City, Isabela. It caters to the immediate community by providing people with a localized courier service that runs errands for them within the region. It also extended its errand services to medicine and grocery items, as well as personal effects and parcels, where clients can customize the errands or deliveries.

Our service proved useful for COVID-19 patients and PUIs who were confined for quarantine. They could order food and other necessities and have these delivered to them by Mr. Delivery riders who were well-trained in standard health protocols.

More importantly,it helped local businesses survive the economic slump. When lockdowns began, many businesses had to close down for lack of customers. Fortunately, Mr. Delivery partnered with these vendors and withstood the financial difficulties. Mr. Delivery also capacitated the local workforce as it gave its riders and operators steady employment.

Mr. Delivery expanded its services and developed strong communication through different online platforms. This includes Facebook, Instagram, Viber, Email, which would cater all services needed by our clients. We also assigned Customer Service Representatives to focus on this area. As a result, people and businesses benefit more convenience.

One great advice which we can give is TO KNOW YOUR BUSINESS. If you fully know what you are capable of and your weaknesses, you can plan your strategies to survive. Such a strategy shall become your trademark-- the core of your endeavor.

ELEATIST KITCHEN

written by Francis Fabie and Lalissa Singson (JCI Quezon City Luna) | Facebook: EleatistKitchen

We serve graze boxes. It features the Eleatist Kitchen homemade garlic cilantro cream cheese, salted chocolate cream, and chocolate barks. Our graze boxes are curated to have the right balance of cheese, cold cuts, chocolates, crackers, nuts, and fresh and dried fruits. We carry limited-edition wines and cheeses from Europe and California. Aside to these, we also expanded to offer frozen USDA steaks, steak kits, and sous vide pre-cooked steaks.

We started Eleatist Kitchen in February 2020 to offer graze boxes right in time for Valentine’s Day. After that, we were preparing to be an exhibitor for a wedding fair. Weeks later, the lockdown was announced and the event was cancelled.

At the start of the pandemic, we were considering shifting to frozen foods because we were apprehensive that graze boxes will be a hit. However, since we already had the supplies from our cancelled event, we decided to take a leap of faith and market it as the perfect gift for ECQ birthdays and date nights. It worked! Soon, we were the only graze box supplier open in Metro Manila and this accelerated our growth.

We took advantage of Facebook and Instagram as they were the most accessible social media platforms to everyone. We joined different Facebook and Viber groups and marketplaces like Let’s Eat Pare Association and Food Contacts Community. Most of our orders came from our business and personal pages. Contactless payment options were helpful, such as online banking, GCash, and PayMaya; and, third-party delivery services such as Lalamove, Grab, DingDong, and more.

Take a leap of faith. You may have a lot of great ideas that you are thinking of doing but the most important step is to start. Don’t let your ideas just be ideas. Turn them into reality. strategy shall become your trademark-- the core of your endeavor.

WELLSMITH

written by Lea Cruz (JCI Batangas Caballero) | Instagram: wellsmith.ph

The pandemic gave me time to reflect and reset. I was able to discover & play around different pantry staples that were not only healthy, but also delicious. I wanted more people to know that choosing to live healthier doesn’t necessarily mean having a boring experience. That’s why I created Wellsmith. We thoughtfully curate products to help kickstart a healthy & more intentional lifestyle by adding fun & wholesome goodies to your pantry.

The pandemic pushed people to put health & wellness as a top priority. This helped us reach more people. People even outside our target market became loyal customers. Currently, Wellsmith has 3 hubs but we’re working on ways to be easily accessible to more areas

Piece of advice? Always operate from a place of love. Anything done from that will always be done well.

BIZHERO

written by Queen Dionaldo (JCI Zugbuana) | Website: bizhero.com

The business was born on the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to lockdowns and limited movements, many business owners had to close down their stores and retrench their employees. Many were displaced from work, many business owners were depressed and many businesses need help.

Although some businesses have quickly transitioned online, yet some only rely on free social media posting and online advertising. As someone from the digital marketing industry, I cannot just sit and do nothing. So I thought of creating a directory business listing where businesses can list their products and services and our team will be the one to promote and boost their listings for free.

Our business runs 100% online. We put up our Facebook page, then built a directory listing site where consumers can easily type in a product to the search box. Bizhero will then populate business listings that are listed within a specific category. From a mere Facebook page to directory listing, we will soon launch our e-commerce platform which will enable ease of purchase and local shipping. Our team continues to research and innovate to further Bizhero’s functions and features.

To amplify our brand and to further our vision, we also use video advertising, online giveaways and partnerships with different business owners.

Piece of advice? Do not be afraid to innovate and explore. And if you ever feel lost in your business, go back to your target audience. Identify their needs and offer services that will answer their needs.

SIARGAO WEDDINGS AND EVENTS

written by Janis Medina (JC I Surigao Wensie) | Facebook: siargaoweddings | Instagram: siargao.weddings

We were getting more than four destination weddings per month compared to only one before the Siargao Boom. Additionally, more resorts wanted to partner with us, so we can offer destination weddings together. We even launched an onsite office/one-stop bridal shop in 2019 to cater to local and walk-in clients.

When the pandemic started, we started offering Elopement Weddings once gatherings were allowed. Couples feeling adventurous and still wanting to get married would contact us, conduct the ceremony with them and us as witnesses, and then broadcast the ceremony to their friends and relatives via Zoom.

We also offered home styling services and backyard wedding services. This requires minimal contact as we come in with no one around. The client comes in later, does their event, and then we return for egress when guests have left.

We relied heavily on digital marketing to generate leads. Hosting events online has helped us bring people closer together and has made it more affordable for our destination wedding couples in the sense that they don’t have to fly everyone over.

Save for the rainy days. And those things you cannot control, let them go. It is also important to be purposeful in everything that you do because certainty is not guaranteed these days. Always remember your WHYs and ask God to always reveal His purpose and align your heart to that purpose.