A sweet success
Who would not want to indulge in the sweet taste of candies after a meal, after a long day, or even at any time? Here’s a taste of Bella Albarico’s sweet success.
Bella, 57, resident of Nagcarlan, Laguna, is the owner of Marife’s Home-made candies. In 1997, Bella and her husband Ramon started a small business of making ube halaya (ube jam), one of the many Filipino desserts made from mashed purple yam, milk, and butter.
“With P1,000 capital, we bought ingredients including sugar, coconut, and flavorings to make our first products,” shared Bella.
After a few months, they already opened an extension area for production due to high demand. But before the birth of Marife’s Home-made candies, Bella used to work in a candy factory when she was still a high school student to suffice her needs.
When Bella and Ramon got married, the money they had from Ramon’s farm harvest was used as capital for their fish selling business. After 18 years of doing this, they opted to start their candy-making business due to minor health conditions.
Bella became a member of CARD SME Bank in 2006. The bank provided her with additional capital for her growing business.
“I am so grateful being a member of CARD SME Bank because it gave me the opportunity to expand our business and help our family reach our dreams,” thanked Bella.
CARD SME Bank is a thrift bank that offers a wide-range of banking products and services such as savings or deposit accounts, business loans, agri-loan, and housing and car loan.
Because of her home-made candies, Bella was able to fund the academic needs of her children, Adrian, 40, Angela, 37, Marife, 33, and Albryan, 29 who are potential successors of their business.
Aside from this, she was also able to buy a family car, expand her production area, and construct a four-storey building. She also manages animal farming business.
At present, Bella, together with her 30 factory helpers, produce best-selling products including macapuno-milk, ube halaya, gelatin, cherry milk, and peanut brittle.
Undoubtedly, Bella has reached it all. She has a loving family, a successful business, and a happy life. What could be the reason for her to keep going?
“I am continuing what I’m doing to help not just my family but my workers who have families to support. As long as I can, I will be very willing to help,” she answered.
Bella started living a simple life. She worked hard until she reached her dreams for her family. Now, she is enjoying the sweet fruits of her hard work and perseverance.
Bella has inspiring words for aspiring entrepreneurs which she keeps on telling her children. “Value the business and the people who are with you in the journey. Most importantly, be thankful for all the blessings you receive,” she shared.