Future Tycoons in the Spotlight at Commercenter Alabang’s BIZ KIDS 2019

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The next-generation entrepreneurs behind the exciting kiddie ventures of Commercenter Alabang’s BIZ KIDS 2019 got their real-world business experience last weekend! In the first-of-its-kind event in the South, the participating youngsters brought and sold various self-made products to a new and bigger customer base — which even included Filipino rock music icon Bamboo, who dropped by at the event!

For its second year, BIZ KIDS provided free expo space for a total of 14 businesses — 2 more than 2018 — run by kids with a strong entrepreneurial flair over the two-day fair. This allowed the budding young entrepreneurs to focus their energy and brain power on making their products and thinking of creative ways to sell.

Formally opening the event was a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the morning of May 18, 2019, Saturday, led by Commercenter Alabang’s Ana Liza Maquinay, Operations and Leasing Supervisor, and Bianca Pabello, Junior Marketing Manager. After that, the little entrepreneurs got to work right away — going back to their respective booths to start selling their merchandise, which ranged from food and beverages, arts and crafts, stationery and accessories, personalized gift items and souvenirs, and skincare products.

“Seeing the kids’ creativity, determination, and enthusiasm is really inspiring,” quips Leslie Tagle-Dinglasan, Asst. Vice President for Marketing of Commercenter Alabang. “They could have chosen to just sleep in or play that weekend, but instead they chose to be at BIZ KIDS 2019 to learn, work, and earn.”

At the end of the weekend event, the standout kiddie ventures were honored at the BIZ KIDS Awards. Lois Faith Berino bagged the Best Booth Design Award for her biz, Lois Faith Gourmet Recipes, which offered pasti-mallows, crispy mushrooms, and yema spread. Little tycoons Hidde and Rinke Bartlema and Lucius Manalac, the trio behind homemade skincare brand Flubber Blubber Soaps and Scrubs, received the Most Innovative Biz Award.

The biggest-selling businesses were also recognized with the Sales Genius Award, which was given in four categories: Desserts, Snacks, Handicrafts, and Arts. Beatrice Veloso’s Grand Slam Cookies, Zac and Zion Jimenez’s Yummy Bites, Natalie Sumagpao’s CLAYThings, and Christine Yenko’s Sandy’s Little Nook topped each segment, respectively.

A new award was added to the original lineup: theAsianparent Philippines Biz Kid 2019 Award, which was given to the venture whose photo posted on The Asian Parent Mobile App garnered the most number of likes. Crisps Gourmet Snacks, helmed by Aria Gacutan, Anree Ignacio, and Almond Wong, bagged the honor, which was awarded by Commercenter Alabang’s Bianca Pabello together with Richelle Morana, Community Manager of The Asian Parent Philippines.

“The event was a very good opportunity for the kids to experience what it’s like to run a business,” shares Maria Flor Bueno, mother of kiddie entrepreneur Chelsea Bueno of DMC Sweet Treats. “We’re grateful for a chance to be part of this.”

Before last weekend’s expo, BIZ KIDS also hosted the future tycoons on a two-day workshop that introduced them not only to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, but also to the basics of stock market investing — either as a means to raise capital or an alternative venture.

“BIZ KIDS is about empowering kids with real-world experience and with basic business and finance concepts that will help them realize their potential,” notes Tagle-Dinglasan. “We’re thankful to everyone who helped us do that by dropping by last weekend to support the participating kiddie ventures. We hope to see everyone again next year!”

BIZ KIDS 2019 is presented by Commercenter Alabang, and is supported by media partners theAsianparent Philippines, Inquirer.net, InqPOP, Manila for Kids, CNN Philippines, Pop Life TV, Yuneoh.com, ClickTheCity.com, WhatsHappening.PH, WazzupPilipinas.com, Mom Center, Mommy Practicality and Mommy Levy.

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