Building a small business from the ground up is a labor of love. For my husband and me, it was more than just a venture-it was a conscious decision to slow down and focus on what truly matters: our family. As a former college instructor and social enterprise owner, I had spent years dedicating myself to my work. But with the birth of our child, I realized the need to create a balance between providing for my family and being present for them. This realization led us to establish our small business, one built on passion, perseverance, and a commitment to serve our community.
We are now in our sixth month of operations, and while our journey has been filled with countless learning experiences, it has also brought unexpected challenges. One of the most disheartening struggles we have faced is the hostility from some fellow stall owners in the building where we rent our space. While small businesses should ideally support and uplift one another, we have, on several occasions, been subjected to bullying. This has taken different forms-like subtle intimidation tactics meant to make us feel unwelcome. Worse, they have spoken ill of our business to potential customers, despite never having set foot in our establishment. They have also spread unfounded rumors about us personally, despite the fact that we have done nothing to deserve such treatment.
Despite these difficulties, we have remained steadfast, drawing strength from the unwavering support of our regular customers and our friends in the Igorot and Ilocano communities. Our loyal patrons have not only continued to visit us but have also offered kind words of encouragement and advice that have helped us navigate these tough times. They remind us daily of the value we bring to our customers and the importance of standing firm in the face of adversity.
Most especially, we are deeply grateful to our Igorot and Ilocano friends, who have embraced us with open arms. Their cultures are rooted in resilience, solidarity, and fairness-qualities that have inspired us to persevere. They have provided us with guidance on how to handle these challenges with dignity, shared insights on overcoming struggles, and, most importantly, reminded us that we are not alone. Their unwavering support has been a source of comfort, reinforcing our belief in the kindness that exists within our community.
Through this experience, we have learned that small businesses do not thrive in isolation. They grow through collaboration, mutual respect, and the strength found in the friendships we build along the way. While adversity may come in many forms, we choose to focus on the positives-the genuine connections we have made, the wisdom we have gained, and the unbreakable spirit we continue to nurture.
As we move forward, we do so with gratitude. We are thankful for our customers, whose belief in us fuels our passion. We are grateful for our Igorot and Ilocano friends, who have shown us what true camaraderie looks like. And most of all, we are grateful for this journey, which, despite its hardships, has made us stronger, more resilient, and more determined to succeed.
