Maria’s Homemade Food Trading is owned by Ms. Shiela A. Lagrimas, 33 years old, a native of Brgy. San Juan, Bobon, Northern Samar. She is a mother raising two daughters on her own. Her small business was just starting when the pandemic broke out.
Without a stable job to provide for her kids, she tried various businesses to support their daily living. She sold street food such as kwek-kwek, siomai, fishball in front of her home and peddled steamed peanut to neighboring barangays. Eventually, she got the idea to produce her own version of powdered ginger and turmeric using the skills she learned from her mother when she was younger.
Motivated to upgrade her small business, she visited Negosyo Center Bobon, Northern Samar to seek guidance on the next steps she should take. After her consultation, she was able to register her business name.
As NC Bobon’s assisted MSME, Ms. Lagrimas also became one of the beneficiaries of the Livelihood Seeding Program- Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay. She received Food Processing Kits amounting to Php 6,000.00 which held up her small businesses against the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the help of Department of Trade and Industry, thru Negosyo Center Bobon, Ms. Shiela Lagrimas said, “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa mga bulig na naihatag saak san DTI. Dahil sa DTI, damo akon nahibaruan kun pan’o magpadalagan san usa nga Negosyo. Bisan po ditoy pa yana akon business, mas hihimuon ko pa akon best para sa ikauupay saak negosyo nga magamitan ko tanan ak nahibaruan ngan an bulig na naihatag saak niyo. Salamat!”
As she continues to be assisted by DTI Northern Samar, she was able to slowly upgrade her products through packaging and label design assistance. Ms. Lagrimas not only pursued throughout the pandemic but was able to create a thriving business that can provide for her family.
Name of MSME: Ms. Shiela A. Lagrimas
Business Name: Maria's Homemade Food Trading
Business Address: Bobon, Northern Samar
By: BC Eunice M. Costa / NC Bobon, Northern Samar
