When Carlyn Aquino returned to the Philippines after working abroad for five years, she had no idea that her life would take a creative turn. It was 2021, and the world was reeling from the pandemic. Carlyn, who was supposed to head back to her job in Qatar, found herself in a holding pattern, waiting for flights to resume. Little did she know, this pause would ignite a passion that would evolve into OBRA Fashion and Crafts, a family-run business that not only breathes new life into discarded materials but also serves as a means of community support.

Like most self-made businesses, Better Options started small and simple. It began at home, was discovered for potential, and later retailed at gasoline station convenience stores. Soon enough, its gourmet food products can be purchased at local and international wholesale superstores.

Baking Duck is a testament to the power of family, passion, and shared dreams. What started as a tradition of baking brownies during the holiday season has blossomed into a full-fledged pastry business. The story of Baking Duck is one of patience, perseverance, and a deep love for baking. This love was passed down through generations, with Paolo Morales and his family at the heart of it all.

A longtime Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) since 2006 whose business started as construction services, Grace Faustino decided to return to the country for good in 2018 and conceptualized on a good business.

No business starts successful, and not all beginner business owners have the courage to continue despite the struggles of being an unknown entity in the market. But Tifanny Gonzales Uyco, the owner of Wei Ming Dian, a store specializing in Chinese and Asian delicacies, proved to be one of those real entrepreneurs at heart who braved through the discouraging path of starting a business regardless of the challenges that may come her way.

Patty Lising is a true representation of the adage, “Train them while they’re young”. Stemming from her childhood experiences in their family enterprise of selling cloth, Patty was able to use her training and lessons learned for her new entrepreneurial ventures.