The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) have long been teaming up to help micro, small and medium enterprises become competitive in the local and world markets.
 
One of those who benefitted from the government’s programs for MSMEs is Emmylou Jomero, owner of Wynn’s Food Products which is based in Salcedo, Ilocos Sur.
 
The humble beginnings of Jomero started with making chocolate tablea for home consumption.
 
As cacao trees grew in their backyard, she made tablea as a gift to friends and relatives.
 
One day, one of Jomero’s relatives suggested that they should start selling their tablea instead of giving it away, and following that advice paved the way for the birth of Wynn’s Food Products in 2015.
 
As a startup, Wynn’s Food Products also encountered challenges.
 
Faced with low productivity, they sought the help of Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) in 2019.
 
With SETUP’s assistance, the firm boosted their production volume and their gross sales also significantly increased.
 
Wynn’s product line now includes cacao tablea, coconut cacao jam, cacao dark chocolate, cacao toffee candy, sugar-free tablea, dragon fruit vinegar, dragon fruit juice, chili garlic oil, and fried garlic, among others.
 
Wynn’s Mylou Tsokolate de Ylocos was one of the Top 5 in the Best 70% Dark Chocolate Contest during the Kakao Konek held in Davao City in 2019.
 
Likewise, Jomero is a consistent awardee in Kannawidan Ylocos Festival in Ilocos Sur for her product innovations.
 
Jomero is also a graduate of the DTI’s mentoring program dubbed “Kapatid Mentor ME” or KMME.
 
“KMME is a big help. Before, money was just in and out. When there was mentoring, I learned about accounting, proper treatment of staff, how to do online selling, and product development," she revealed.
 
With the knowledge she gained from the KMME program, Jomero was able to adopt digital approaches to remain competitive even during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
 
She pointed out that using Facebook and Shopee has expanded their market not just in the region but their products are now reaching consumers even in Visayas and Mindanao.

Last year, Wynn’s Food Products successfully graduated from the DOST’s SETUP Phase I.
 
Now, the firm is once again seeking assistance under SETUP II.
 
This time, they are asking for a tablea molder, mobile tray rack, and tempering machine to further increase their productivity.
 
With the goal of further expanding their market, the requested equipment will surely play a significant role in realizing their long-term plan.
 
In December last year, the firm once again underwent a Technology Needs Assessment validation as part of the SETUP process.
 
Once approved by the validation team, they will also undergo a Review and Technical Evaluation Committee evaluation in January 2024.
 
Behind the towering cacao trees of Salcedo town hides a gem, which is Wynn’s Food Products, whose success is as sweet as chocolate.
 
Jomero may have faced bumps at the start, but with the help of several institutions, like DOST and DTI, she was able to prosper her chocolate empire, which continues to reach further heights. (JCR/AMB/PIA Region 1)