KARAZAPATOS

Its been months since we featured another notable success story of a Filipino entrepreneur in the person of Ms. Kara de Asis and her famous Karazapatos shoe brand in our Strictly Business segment of our TV Show Business and Leisure (which airs every Tuesdays 10pm over the Home Shopping Network Ch13 on Sky Cable). Well, never is too late when the story you tell is worth sharing, especially to those budding entrepreneurs out there.

Karazapatos is the second shoe maker that I already interviewed. The very first one was ShoeRoom of Ms. Abby Medina. Abby specializes comfy flat shoes which I also shared it here on my previous blogs. When I checked Karazapatos on its Instagram page, instantly, I was amazed with all those photos that I saw. I thought I was directed to a foreign page, but not, those fabulous shoes are truly Filipino made. Her staff are truly accommodating, and after we agreed for the scheduled feature shoot, we visited her at her boutique shop at Marikina.

Ms. Kara de Asis

   

As we entered her store, big shelves full of different styles and designs of shoes greeted us. Shoes, considered as one of girl's best friend, I was so eager to see them one by one and fit all of them, but of course, I have to work first before pleasure. Ms. Kara is pretty and very kind. She briefed me first on how she started Karazapatos before our camera began to roll. Keeping her at ease, she began sharing with us how she started her own shoe line, not only making a noise here in the Philippines, but bringing her brand abroad.

We all know that Marikina is the shoe capital of the country, (at least during its glory days,) before the market was flooded by cheap products from China and other countries, that slowly killed the industry. Kara's family is one of those who has a manufacturing factory in Marikina. When she is still young, she observed how their business work, until she find herself cutting shoe patterns out from paper. When she finally decided to realize her own shoe line, she used materials from their excess at their factory. From there, she produced just a few pairs and posted it in now defunct social media site multiply, and to her surprise, many started to buy her shoes. Her first design then was simple flat shoes with strap, perfect for office attire, and slowly from there, she created different designs that is apt for all season. All that she produced was made available on line, she doesn't have a store yet where customers can go anytime and fit her shoes.

As we tour inside her quaint store, Kara proudly showed to us her shoe collections, from simple flats, to wedges, to stillettos and boots. Still, its hard for me to believe that we can make products that can actually compare to international brands. Some of Kara's customers brought her shoes abroad and later started as re-sellers. Already, Karazapatos made its way to Dubai, Singapore and very recently to Cambodia. Now, more and more people are now getting familiar to her logo. She also shared to us that big part of her market is on customizing shoes, and supplying for those who wanted to name their own shoe brand. Inquiries from their Facebook and Instagram page are also flooded by lots of order. Their factory is very busy to meet all their customers requirement and delivery on time, for their own pair of Karazapatos. Here now are some of their popular and best seller on Karazapatos.

With all those gorgeous shoes, I am sure you won't be satisfy getting only one pair, but rather, will collect all designs for your perfect outfit to all occassions. And yes, I got my own pairs as well. Good luck Ms. Kara and thank you so much for sharing with us your wonderful story.

My own pairs of Karazapatos

Food Trip (1st batch)

Yes I did mention on my previous entries here that in our TV show Business and Leisure, Food Trip segment is one of my favorite simply because we have the chance to visit the best restaurants in and around the metro, knowing how they start, sharing their stories of success, and the best part of all, able to taste all their delectable best-sellers. Here are some of the dining destinations we had visited and featured in the past months and if you haven't been in these places well I suggest you better write it down on your list and see it all for yourself:

Manna Bakery and Kafe Yen BF Homes Paranaque:

We all know that Paranaque is truly famous among the foodies and bar-hoppers. It is in this place where some of the popular restaurants started until they branch out in the different cities in Metro Manila. One restaurant that we did notice is the Manna Bakery and Kafe Yen. Ms. Rosemarie the very hospitable and kind owner gladly shares to us that Manna Bakery is what they put up first. She is a devoted born again Christian and Manna means bread from heaven. They are known for their freshly baked from the oven pandesal and wide variation of pastries. Everyone in their neighborhood knows this place and has been regular customers here. Too bad the bakery cafe was closed when we did the interview shoot for they are in the middle of expansion and renovation. Next to the bakery is a small Thai restaurant name Kafe Yen. This restaurant was helped raised by its Thai chief chef Hoff together with his assistant chefs Ralph and Paolo. Chef Hoff and Ms. Rosemarie's collaboration became fruitful that Kafe Yen is starting to draw attention not only in Paranaque but in nearby cities like Alabang and Makati. Here are some of their best-sellers at Kafe Yen, authentic Thai food and visit this place soon.

The famous Pad Thai for only P239.00

Chicken Sate for only P149.00

Lotus for only P289.00

Fish cake for only P149.00

TITO CHEF AGUIRRE STREET PARANAQUE:

Another must visit restaurant in Paranaque comes by the name of Tito Chef. At first I thought it derives from the name of a person itself but the restaurant's name was given by the nephew of its owner Chef Menoy. Everyone who would pass by Tito Chef will surely feel its homey atmosphere. Its huge glass window is a welcoming sight and would invite you to come spend the rest of your day from your busy daily routine from work or business, and have a taste of what they offer here. As you enter at Tito Chef, you will notice its spacious dining area, it is well lighted and there are paintings that are for sale hanging on the wall. On to the second floor, another spacious and well designed dining area awaits you, and if you wish to reserve for an intimate private function, you can choose from the different rooms on the same floor with its own theme and design that would surely lit up your mood and enjoy that intimate dining experience with your family and friends. There is also a lanai area or a mini garden for those who opt to dine outside the main dining area. To our surprise Chef Menoy let us toured all the way down to the basement where they sell all things that you wanted for your culinary needs. If we find Tito Chef's interior design's perfect, rest assured that their set of menu perfectly matches it. Chef Menoy served to us some of their best-sellers at a very competitive price. By the way, Tito Chef also offers a wide range of wines that are truly affordable and there's also a mini bakery which Chef Menoy proudly shares that they bake their own cakes, breads and pastries. So if you happen to be wandering in the south part of the metro or simply wanted to discover what Paranaque can offer to all foodies out there, don't forget to put Tito Chef on top of your list I guarantee you won't regret it.

Hope you had enjoyed those two restaurants in Paranaque, just make sure you will drop by there soon and see if they met your own verdict. There are still some restaurants that I will be sharing you all again, I will let you salivate for a while just hang on there. Will just take a break and give way to some online sellers that I will be featuring next here in my blog. Watch out for it folks!

mackiemaxter: My BonBons

mackiemaxter: My BonBons: Most entrepreneurs owe their success on their respective business to one reason, and that is through their hobby. One such great story is M...

My BonBons

Most entrepreneurs owe their success on their respective business to one reason, and that is through their hobby. One such great story is My BonBons. My friend Ryzlla Marcelo didn't realize that her love for bracelets will bring her and her cousin JV to the long list of small and medium entrepreneurs who are making names and invading the social networking sites like the Instagram.

My pretty friend and the brain behind My BonBons Ryzzla Marcelo

With her cousin JV

Ryzzla is known for being so active. She doesn't like to just sit in one corner and do nothing. Whenever we meet and catch things up, she would always share to me her newest discovery like trying zumba, yoga, baking, photography, travel and others. Summer season is the time to hit the beach, but instead Ryzzla think of a hobby and then realize why not do it for business? And that's how exactly My BonBons was born.

With an initial capital of 2,000 pesos, the cousins acquired materials and equipment needed to make arm candies, from then, they research how to make knots, how to make a strong lock, and different styles of bracelets. From simple charm bracelets to more elegant designs which she calls Keira. She name the different styles to her favorite Hollywood celebrities, like Keira, Kirsten, Katie and Taylor. Since she is using Instagram as her venue to sell her beautiful creations and also send her products to some celebrities. Slowly, many  accessory lovers took notice of My BonBons and orders started to pile up. 

Even though that Ryzzla and her cousin has a full time job, they see to it that they spare enough time to make bracelets and meet the demand of their increasing followers. They accept orders through online but shares that they are scouting bazaars to join to reach out for more customers. With their hard work and passion on this hobby, these two lovely ladies will surely go a long way. For those who love bracelets, follow them on Instagram my_bonbons. Here are their creations, grab one for you!

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