USC studes concoct squash ketchup for startup venture

CEBU, Philippines - Aspiring to learn how to gain substantial profit on their own and aiming to penetrate the market by introducing something new, a group of 10 Carolinian students came up with the production of squash ketchup and pesto sauce as their start-up business venture.

With the concept of providing a third choice to the consuming public apart from the usual tomato and banana ketchup, students taking up Bachelor of Science Major in Entrepreneurship at the University of San Carlos put up Sweet Garden Foods.

Sweet Garden Foods is headed by general manager Kimberely Cathrine Turco along with her colleagues Mark Zeus Ancanan as operations manager, Adrian Dagohoy and Ralph Eric Huan as assistant operations managers, Chezka Michaela Distrito as finance manager, Benjun Yu as research development manager, Frans Gelaine Garcia as assistant research development manager, Margarito Lim as marketing manager, Stephen Dan Kabingue as assistant marketing manager and Rebecca Jane Romero as human resource manager.

“There is no company that has produced squash ketchup yet and this is our competitive edge for us. We don’t have direct competitors so this a great opportunity for us to hit the market while it’s hot,” Turco stated.

Squash ketchup is a 99-percent organic and healthy food sauce while pesto sauce was conceptualized to target foreign and high-end restaurants and resorts as its potential markets.

The group started out with an initial capital of P100, 000 and invested on the company’s equipment for the production of safe and high-quality squash ketchup.

The company produces around 500 bottles twice or thrice a month in its production area situated at F. Cabahug Street, Mabolo, Cebu City.

Turco noted that the sales have been good so far, “good enough” to continue with the business operations and allot compensation to the members.

“As a startup I must say that it’s going well. We have been receiving many feedbacks that our squash ketchup and pesto sauce taste really great. Like any other normal companies, we are having a hard time reaching our target sales but we just continue to work hard and give it our best. We believe that in time, the market will also patronize our squash ketchup,” she said.

Since they are juggling their precious time to perform their functions as both students and entrepreneurs, the group is limited to strategize with various marketing collaterals such as social media and participate in expos and fairs for further exposure.

She even cited the 7th Entrepreneurs' Fair that was conducted last December 12 to 16 in Parkmall Cebu as an opportunity for the company to be known more. 

She shared that the group had no anticipation at all that the bottles of squash ketchup will be sold out on the fourth day of the fair and that they have to produce another batch of bottles for the last day.

“The 7th entrep fair was a blast for us. The demand of the squash ketchup is pretty much surprising. That event made us realize that our ketchup and pesto sauce are appealing to the people. There were even different owners of restaurants who visited us and they asked for our calling card. We hope to be in contact with them soon,” she added.

Sweet Garden Foods was one of the two new enterprises that were awarded with financial grants from the Industrial Guarantee and Loan Fund - Student Assistance Grant for Entrepreneurship of the National Economic Development Authority and Development Bank of the Philippines.

To contribute to the initial capital of starting the business, Sweet Garden Foods was granted financial assistance worth P143,000 which accounts 80% of the total capital of the company.

Turco said that as long as necessary legalities will be accomplished, the group plans to negotiate with different grocery and convenience stores in the locality for wide distribution of the products.

For now, members of the group personally sell the products to prospective buyers.

She further revealed that they plan to distribute their products to the hometowns of some of the members outside Cebu such as Bohol, Manila, Bacolod, Zamboanga and Lanao.

Since producing squash ketchup requires extreme labor and hard work, Turco cited that the group considered the values of cooperation, team work and determination as key drivers of their start-up.

“We don’t really have any specific strategy. We just do what we have to do with determination and strength to keep moving forward. There were many things that we had to go through to be able to learn and we continue to hope for the best,” she added.

Due to popular demand, Sweet Garden Foods will soon introduce the spicy version of the squash ketchup within this month.  (FREEMAN)