The Search for Women In Need Now Entrepreneurs and Role models (WINNERS) program is a recognition of women who have overcome their struggles in life and become successful entrepreneurs.
This program, which has been running for the past five years, is Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (MCCI’s) tribute to women entrepreneurs who were able to succeed in their line of business in spite the odds that confront them.
Creativity, hard work, perseverance and passion to succeed, drive these women from the 27 barangays of Mandaue City to rise to the challenge of building their small livelihood into legitimate businesses.
The WINNERS Program includes training on business planning, financial management, marketing and personality development. Exposure trips to business companies and their practices are added inputs for the barangay representatives to this program.
Topping the 10 finalists in the competition last Wednesday, September 15 at the Mandaue City Sports Complex, is Rovelyn Erbeto Villareal. Rovelyn of Cambaro is a food vendor who specializes in pies and native delicacies. Her stall, which is located in J Center Mall in Mandaue City, offers pasalubong and party packs as well. Rovelyn bested the 10 other contenders in the final round with her wit and attitude towards life.
Having worked through her vocational education in food and beverage preparation, Rovelyn graduated with enough skills that could start her career in food service. She landed a job in a confectionery to gain skills in selling. She worked with the same gusto she would apply to whatever she would do and eventually got herself promoted as supervisor.
However when she married in 2009, Rovelyn decided to focus on her family. As the needs of her family began to grow, she and her husband decided to augment the family’s income by selling ice candy. This was then followed by dried fish and vegetables which gave them a stall in the market of Mandaue City.
When the earthquake and Yolanda struck in 2013, Rovelyn found herself without a stall as the market was deemed unstable. But Rovelyn remain unfazed by the challenges and honed her long dormant skills in pie making and began her buko pie business.
This gained attention and a following. She later expanded to other delicacies which she now displays at J. Center Mall.
Had Rovelyn allowed herself to be disappointed by the disasters that challenged them, she would not have been able to help her husband provide for the needs of their family. As a successful entrepreneur she is now Mandaue’s 2015 WINNER.
The WINNERS Program, which has encouraged many women entrepreneurs from Mandaue City, has been recognized as a finalist in the recently concluded World Chamber Awards in Torino, Italy. Having reached this level, perhaps, it is about time the program moves a notch higher and starts a broader search for 2016.