CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga (PIA) - - Fourteen  local entrepreneurs  recently  graduated from  the Kapatid Mentor ME-Money Market Encounter (KMME-MME)   program, and are expected to  upgrade their   business operations.

The graduation was held on September 22, 2023 at Balong Mountain Resort in Balong,  Tabuk City. It was graced by  Placido Alsiyang Jr  representing  the   Office of the Congressman., Dada Wandag  for the provincial  government and  Catherine Lee Uera  for the Tabuk City  local government unit.

Two mentees shared testimonials on how they hurdled growing a business despite challenges and the passion of understanding the psyche of customers in order to fit their taste and serve their needs. They also expressed gratitude to the Department of Trade and Industry  for the benefits they received from the program.
 
Elvira Dupli, owner of Y-Kalinga Tapis Handloom Woven Products and Go Negosyo Most Inspiring MSMEs 2023 Awardee,  shared in her  inspirational talk   that one of her secrets   in  gaining high sales is gauging customer satisfaction by asking her patrons if they are satisfied with her products. Also,  she  gathers  feedbacks on how she can improve more her weaves.

She  advised graduates to continue to  excel and learn from difficult experiences in order to succeed.
 
Paul Na-oy, owner of Na-oy Store,  also shared his success  story and he advised  the mentees  to avoid quick profit that might lead to bankruptcy when they  loss patronage.
 
The KMME-MME   program aims to help micro and small entrepreneurs scale up and improve their businesses through 10-module learning sessions  on  topics on entrepreneurship and improving their business models .  

It  adopts a line-up of modules following the ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network (AMEN)  Program  which are designed to prepare the  mentees for their integration in the value chains of medium and large enterprises. The modules are handled by competent mentors who have been picked for their specific areas of expertise and classifications.

The 10 modules consist of entrepreneurial mindset and values formation; marketing mindset; business model canvass; operations management; digitalization; supply and value chain; human resource management; accounting and finance; product development and market expansion and internationalization,  and business law.(JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)