The Money Market Encounter and Money Market on Wheels back to back events that entice micro, small and medium entrepreneurs to go big time in business were recently held in two Baguio City venues by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Go Negosyo program.
More than 300 participants from all over the Cordillera Region attended the Money Market Encounter and Mentor Me on Wheels which was held at SM City Baguio Atrium while 165 participants attended the Money and Market Encounter at Paragon Hotel. Leading industry experts and business icons led by Johnlu Koa, Founder and CEO of French Baker and marketing executive Gerard Escay of Lazada gave insightful talks on how mentees and graduates of the Kapatid Mentor Me program can grow their businesses.
The speakers discussed the importance of digital marketing and how to access and expand potential markets through digital platforms. Stressing that the entrepreneurs themselves are the face of their businesses, the speakers implied that MSMEs can now have access to the bigger markets even through the use of the small screens in their pockets.
Boasting the success of LAZADA that generates an average of 2 million users in a day, Escay said that online is the future and there is no harm in signing to e-commerce platforms.
The Mentor Me on Wheels according to the speakers gives everyone a chance to succeed and be part of the greater business community. Entrepreneur Laida Lim, a local mentor who is also involved in the promotion of the local weaving industry mentioned about creative harmony saying that there is hope to Baguio where local craftsmen can still shine especially that UNESCO designated the city as a Creative City.
The nationwide mentorship program pioneered by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship “Go Negosyo” in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry is in line with the commitment of President Rodrigo Duterte’s goal of achieving inclusive growth in the country. Said program is also meant to capacitate the underserved and unserved MSMEs through on-site free 1 on 1 nationwide mentorship encounters.** Art Tibaldo
