About last weekend, my six-year-old Chebby debuted her first brand, Seven Arts & Crafts.Ph at Tiendesitas sa Bantayan, parading native products while showcasing her talent in drawing, all for the love of toys — because when one’s a toddler, nothing will ever make you happy except toys! Does everyone agree?
Chebby was ecstatic to be part of the organized bazaar since it was going to be her first time. Too ecstatic that she forgot to bring her materials for the event, thus, Mommy to the rescue.
After finally securing her materials, she carefully set up her space just in front of our native products display, and started drawing to her heart’s desire, on brown squared papers that were recycled from paper bags. She also opted to draw on bondpapers cut into squares, that she thought could be sold cheaper.
As soon as we arrived at the venue in Fatima Village (the empty green area fronting The Henry), and setting up our stall, Chebby and I went for a quick tour of each tent to see what others have to offer as well.
As expected, Chebby found something to buy for herself that cost P595 at Daphne Diao‘s booth (Babyology). It was a cute bath toy that was uniquely created for scrubbing. Yet, I reminded Chebby that we had just bought her toys a week ago, and that we will have to use her own money if she really wanted to buy it.
And anyone could have seen the eagerness in her eyes, as she dragged me back to our booth where she started drawing. Chebby initially made 10 drawings, and displayed them along with our native items.
At first, people thought they were merely a display of greetings, or part of our decorations, as my little girl started getting sad because nobody seemed to notice them.
So I then coached her to do sales-pitch, and to promote her items out loud so people will realize they were actually on sale.
Without hesitation, Chebby started telling every person passing by our booth to buy her drawing! And my oh my, was it effective! She scored P5.00 for every drawing purchased.
Her first profit was generously-given by my good friend Alexis Pastor Yap. It was very nice of him to pay P100 for one drawing, and telling Chebby to keep the change!
And mind you, my young artist would sign every art work bought by customers. An artist- entrepreneur indeed at heart! The joy on my little girl’s face was undeniable.
She then carried on, doing the same trick calling out people to check out and buy her drawings. She quickly sold 10 drawings from good friends, and another five from strangers.
Whenever she had the opportunity, she would march back to Babyology to make sure the toy she was eyeing was still there! Talk about grit and the overflowing zeal to achieve that holy grail.
We also set up at Tiendesitas our recent brainchild, Shucking Oysters, mainly serving fresh and tasty oysters, grilled to perfection, and paired with our local favorites shrimp and pork.
Tiendesitas sa Bantayan, a weekend event of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Negros Oriental and The Henry Hotel, was organized by IBP President Atty. Pristine Martinez-Raymond, Teri Ponce de Leon-Villegas, and her daughter Tyra Angela.
Tiendesitas refers to a collection of little stores — which proved true with 40 local vendors selling there that day.
The vendors were carefully selected by the organizers, especially in support of the local producers of Dumaguete.
The event coordinated with the City to make sure all requirements were met for safety purposes, not to mention making sure all vendors were vaccinated.
The over-40 vendors were categorized into two groups: Dry goods — from The Good Coco, Garnish Dumaguete, Holy Chica and Coco & Nilly, and a lot more — welcomed us at the entrance, while the rest of us food vendors were grouped together at what I would like to think as the main area.
It was an al fresco dining set-up of long picnic benches situated in the middle, surrounded by a strip of food vendors. It was just perfect. The area was beautifully lit, with string lights hanging way up high to illuminate both the customers and vendors.
Some homegrown food stores there were familiar and well-established like Tres Bistro, Señor Juan, Nona’s Kitchen, and a lot more. The others were born during the pandemic like our very own Shucking Oysters.
Tiendesitas sa Bantayan was a good avenue for local businesses to promote their respective products.
The location in a residential area was also ideal since it wasn’t too far for people to go to. Ample parking area was also provided for customers who planned to hang out longer, as well as a little rotonda where vehicles about to pickup or drop off passengers could just drive around.
What seemingly started as a survey two weeks ago turned into a really fruitful community event, making the customers inquire and the merchants to request for more weekend bazaars like that one. And yes, it was that fun!
For someone who has joined quite a handful of bazaars since 2009, either as customer or as merchant, Tiendesitas sa Bantayan was so far the best, being most organized, and most productive.
The event covered two days on a weekend; we started operating at 10am until just an hour before the City curfew. People started surging at lunch time, and eventually peaked up at around 4pm onwards.
Although we were only able to serve on Saturday (since our Sundays have long been reserved for church), we still managed to make some profit way above our expectations.
Indeed, it was amazing how Tyra and Tita Teri and Tita Pristine instantaneously planned and prepared the event, making sure no one was left out/empty-handed. And that everyone went home happy and satisfied, making the event an overall total success to kickstart the yuletide season.
As for Chebby, the night ended with her making exactly P593 out of her drawings. She was short for P2 for that precious toy she had been eyeing the whole day so her Papa Jadon came in to the rescue to seal the deal. And just like that, our little entrepreneur went home fulfilled.
As parents, we’re the happiest to start our children young with their passions. Indeed, there is no other force that has greater influence on a child other than the parent.
PS. If you’re looking for gift ideas, and you want to support our little ‘preneur’s dream, check out Seven Arts & Crafts.Ph
Lujana Ciarra Romero-Herrenauw
[email protected]
