The Philippines Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has tapped Ebang'z Mushroom Farm, a thriving enterprise based in Capiz, as one of the Technology-Based Entrepreneurship Advisors (TBEAs) to provide hands-on business advising to fellow entrepreneurs.
Capiz Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) Project Technical Assistant Vanessa B. Dela Peña said Ebang'z Mushroom Farm owner, Nieva D. de la Torre, is a 2022 beneficiary of DOST Capiz under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program innovation-enabling fund (SETUP 4.0 iFund) program.
"Since then, she (Dela Torre) has significantly expanded her operations and remained committed to giving back to the community," Dela Peña said.
© DOST Western Visayas Facebook pageRepresentatives of DOST Western Visayas and Glicerio Solero (third from left) visit Nieva D. de la Torre (second from left) to have an opportunity to learn directly from de la Torre's production operations and personal experiences
According to Dela Peña, Ebang'z owner guided especially OFW entrepreneurs in areas such as business management, logistics, marketing, product and process improvement, and supply chain linkages to help ensure the sustainability and growth of their enterprises.
Even before becoming a TBEA, de la Torre had already been supporting fellow micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by actively mentoring startup owners and accommodating on-the-job trainees in her facility.
The Capiz PTSO shared that de la Torre welcomed visitors as part of a benchmarking activity organized by the Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines (iFWD PH) program of the DOST.
"Her continued efforts to support other entrepreneurs have helped position Ebang'z Mushroom Farm as a valuable resource and inspiration for small business development in the province," Dela Peña said.
Moreover, Glicerio Solero, owner of Boyet's Mushroom Products Trading in Pototan, Iloilo, had the opportunity to learn directly from de la Torre's production operations and personal experiences.
© DOST Western Visayas Facebook page
Solero initially ventured into mushroom cultivation in 2019 and is now relaunching his business after setbacks during the pandemic.
Solero graduated from Phase I of the iFWD PH program, where he completed a seven-week Business Development Course.
He is currently gearing up to apply for funding from the program.
Dela Peña added that the Ebang'z Mushroom Farm stands as an example of how sharing knowledge and experience can go a long way in supporting others.
"Through mentorship and openness, de la Torre helps fellow entrepreneurs take confident steps toward growing their businesses," she said.
Source: Philippines Information Agency