DTI launches Kapatid Mentor Me in Quezon

The Department of Trade and Industry, in partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), rolled-out the “KAPATID Mentor Me Program (KMME)” in the province of Quezon at the St. Jude COOP Hotel and Event Center, Tayabas City on 04 April 2017. Quezon is the first province to roll-out the KMME this year after the successful pilot run in the CALABARZON Region and launching in Cavite last year.

According to DTI Assistant Secretary Blesila A. Lantayona, the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) comprised 99.6% of the total enterprises in the country, which is about 946,000 MSMEs, having 89% of the microenterprises, 9.2 % of the small enterprises, and .4% of the medium enterprises. CALABARZON is number two after the National Capital Region in the highest number of MSMEs.

“The goals of the MSME Development Plan are to have a good business enabling environment, to empower MSMEs by providing access to finance, to expand the MSMEs’ access to market, and to enhance the productivity and efficiency of the MSMEs,” said Asec. Lantayona.

Mentor Me is one of the components of the Project KAPATID—an initiative of the DTI and the PCE to help the country’s micro and small enterprises. The program brings together experts and industry leaders who will provide a series of free mentoring sessions on incorporating innovation in products, services, operation processes, business models, and other aspects of entrepreneurship for aspiring and current entrepreneurs.

“Mentor Me aims to scale-up and sustain the operations of business through mentoring and coaching activities,” said DTI Quezon Director Julieta L. Tadiosa.

DTI CALABARZON Assistant Director Marcelina S. Alcantara encouraged the Quezon MSMEs to work hard in attending all the mentoring sessions as it will help them become more competitive in their business and will establish business linkages.

Mr. Jorge Noel Weineke III, Chairman of the JWiene Food Corporation and a GoNegosyo Angelpreneur, gave a lecture on entrepreneurial mindset and values formation. He emphasized that an entrepreneur should be a visionary, risk-taker, confident, passionate and determined, adaptable and flexible, and people person.

“Fear stops someone from being an entrepreneur. That’s why it is important to rationalize to fight your fear. The steps on rationalization are acknowledging your fear, understanding it, strategizing, internalizing, and creating an action plan,” remarked Weineke.

Ms. Mylene Abiva, President and CEO of FELTA Multimedia, Inc. and a GoNegosyo Angelpreneur, talked about the aspects of marketing. She mentioned that one of the important and simple steps to success is innovation.

“An entrepreneur should constantly be looking for new and better ways to deliver a service or searching for a better improved product,” stressed Abiva.

The program included the discussion on Go Negosyo/Kapatid Mentor Me by Mr. Paul Anthony de Guzman, PCE Marketing Officer, and the Barangay Micro Business Enterprise Law (BMBE) Law or Negosyo Center (NC) by Ms. Maria Cristina Avio, NC Resource Person, followed by an inspiring success story of Ms. Eleonor Canlas, owner of AM Miki Factory, and a business consultation facilitated by the certified local mentors.

The Mentor Me in Quezon is expected to run from April to June and will be held at the DTI Quezon Negosyo Center, 2/F Lucena Grand Terminal, Diversion Road, Brgy. Ilayang Dupay, Lucena City.

Rizal will soon roll-out its Mentor Me Program on April 27.