Show business, that is, face-to-face fun, had been gravely affected by the pandemic as party service provider Just Kiddos could attest to. Yet its owners took the challenge in character and worked to keep the happy faces in the team intact.
Thus, the think tank behind the hosting and entertainment service expert conceived the gourmet tuyo brand Cocina de Paulo in June last year as an online selling project to “help provide supplemental income for their pool of talents.”
The same team, in coordination with barangay officials, recently distributed home-cooked meals among the residents of Bgy. Cuyambay in Tanay, Rizal. The activity was funded through proceeds from their sales of holiday gift sets bannered by the brand’s now-best-selling bottled gourmet tuyo in classic and hot flavors.
Owners Paulo Santos and Ryan Magcalen noted that “even small deeds done by small businesses like ours can be a force for good, especially with the support of generous consumers who share the same cause.” They expressed gratitude for the individual and corporate customers who supported the brand’s first community-based charity work.
“Maaaring kaunti lang ito sa iba, pero sa mga nangangailangan nating kababayan, appreciated nila na may nakaka-alala sa kanila lalo na ngayong panahon ng pandemya,” said Magcalen.
The pre-packed home-cooked meals were prepared by kitchen staff volunteers.
With increasing positive reviews, the Tanay-pride Cocina de Paulo now produces bulk orders for regional distributors. Its business-for-a-cause mantra remains its core as the brand donates for someone’s welfare five pesos for every bottle sold out of distributorship. One recipient is a patient undergoing dialysis treatment.
“In October, we reviewed our figures and decided to switch our focus back to direct consumers. Mas cost-efficient ito para sa negosyo at mas magiging affordable ang aming gourmet tuyo products para sa direct consumers,” Magcalen explained.
This 2021, the young entrepreneur remains hopeful about running his businesses amid the uncertainties of the new normal era.
He stated that his main business, Just Kiddos, running for more than nine years now, has been getting inquiries again for party bookings from individual and corporate clients. On its website, the party professionals running the show sound confident to be back, assuring to “make sure all safety protocols are in place so you can enjoy that much-awaited really fun-tastic party.”
One previous client expressed, “This is my third time hiring Just Kiddos. Ryan the host was good and commendable while Paolo and the rest of the team were very helpful, professional, and radiated positive and fun energy.”