The fruitful start

Sariaya, Quezon is known for fruit and vegetable trading. This became a favorable opportunity for its residents, like Justina Pagdonsolan and her husband, to venture in selling fruits.

“Considering the market, location, and availability of the product, we saw business opportunity to sell fruits,” Justina stated, adding that it is a livelihood worth to try.

They started their business with the P5,000 capital, which they borrowed from the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD), Inc. (A Microfinance NGO) in 2015.

CARD, Inc. is a social development organization that is in the business of poverty eradication by providing microloans, microsavings, and community development programs such as to health and education.

Strategically, they purchase the fruits in wholesale directly from fruit trees owners. Then they sell it from one house to the other in their community. Eventually, they were able to reach out regular customers in nearby barangays.

“My son gave us a tricycle. It was really helpful because we are now able to deliver bulk of fruits to our customers generating higher income,” shared Benjamin, who was then a mason.

“If you are fortunate in this kind of business, income is far-off better than working eight hours in a company with a fixed salary,” Benjamin stated.

Success wouldn’t just fall from the sky like raindrops. To Benjamin, it mostly follows hard work and practice in financial management.  

“Aside from microloans, we are glad that CARD taught us how to manage our finances. We learned to save when our income is good. We allot half of it for our savings at CARD and to our sari-sari store,” said Benjamin.

Both felt assured with the financial services they avail at CARD. This year, the couple is planning to purchase a four-wheeled delivery vehicle to further expand the reach of its clientele. “The first four years of our business turned out to be a fruitful start,” the couple concluded.